This ricotta toast is one of my go-to light meals when I want a quick healthy bite, usually for breakfast with a cappuccino or a mid-morning snack. A thick layer of luscious ricotta is spread on a toasted slice of brioche, topped with a bit of orange marmalade and sprinkled with chopped pistachios.
Ricotta is a popular Italian ingredient, used in both desserts and main dishes. It is made from the whey portion leftover from making mozzarella, which is reheated to bring the whey proteins together. Whey protein is easily absorbed and contains all the essential amino acids (protein building blocks) that our bodies need. Ricotta also contains several essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin B12, phosphorus, and selenium. These nutrients support various bodily functions, such as immune system health, energy production, and antioxidant defense.
Pistachios are the seeds of the pistachio tree. They’re usually green, and they taste slightly sweet. They’re called nuts, but botanically pistachios are seeds. People have been eating them for thousands of years. Traditionally cultivated in the Middle East, Asia and eastern Mediterranean, pistachios were introduced to Sicily in Ancient times, probably by the Phoenicians or the earliest Greeks. But it was the ninth-century Arab rulers of Sicily who encouraged the wide cultivation and later the practice of radically pruning the trees to increase production.
California, Arizona, and New Mexico make up all of America’s commercial pistachio production.
Pistachios are a nutritious addition to your diet. They are made up of 20% protein, a much higher calorie-to-protein ratio than that of most nuts. This protein can make you feel full longer and help you manage your weight.
Pistachios also boast a high amount of antioxidants, second only to walnuts and pecans. Antioxidants help fight against free radicals, which are compounds in your body that can harm cells, proteins, and DNA, causing premature aging as well as illnesses like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Pistachios are a good source of unsaturated fatty acids and potassium. Both have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory traits. Like other nuts, pistachios are a staple of the Mediterranean diet, which has been linked to overall long-term health.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup ricotta (whole milk)
- 2 Tablespoon orange marmalade
- 1 Tablespoon shelled, salted pistachios, chopped
- 3 slices brioche, toasted
Using a small bowl, mix together ricotta and 1 Tablespoon orange marmalade. Spread 1/3 of the mixture on each slice of toasted brioche. Divide the remaining marmalade on top of ricotta. Sprinkle with pistachios.
