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I realized this past weekend that strawberries have been way too absent around here.
Well, they have been a little absent from the blog, but not my life. I love strawberries and I probably eat too many… nah that’s not possible. Although this summer I do have to say that I have probably been consuming more cherries. I think that is only because they are a new to me fruit (which is crazy), and I feel like I have to make up for the nineteen years of my life that did not involve cherries.
But let’s just talk about strawberries, ricotta and seeded nuts today.
Or actually, since I really cannot focus at all at the moment, let’s talk about the barn.
As you have probably guessed, it’s moving along as slow as molasses. Or at least not as fast as I would like, but I am thinking that is just the way it goes with home renovations. SLOW. Somehow the builder is still saying the barn will be finished by November, but as more and more time passes I am having my doubts.
The fun news is that I have already picked out a lot of my appliances and a few other items. Counters and cabinets are next on the list. And by next, I really mean like tomorrow. I am so behind on that one. The problem is, I hate making these decisions. One, there are so many and I am definitely overwhelmed. Two, I like too many things, and I sort of want them all. Three, what if I choose countertops and end up hating them, then I just have to live with them? Really, that would sort of stink.
So…what’s your favorite countertops?
Really, I would love to hear about what works great for you – marble, concrete, soapstone? These are just some of the options I am considering.
Ok, back to Ricotta cream? Have you guys ever had it?
If not then you do not know just how good it is. Forget about yogurt, ricotta cream is my new go to. It’s light and whipped and when sweetened with a little maple syrup it makes the perfect sweet snack or breakfast. Pair it with these balsamic strawberries and quick maple nuts and you’ve got the perfect healthy four o’clock snack or easy weekday breakfast. This dish literally takes only a few minutes to make, and there is no baking involved! Yeah!
Oh, and if you happen to be out of strawberries you can totally sub another fruit in. Blackberries, blueberries, cherries, peaches – I think they’d all work great.
Sweet Balsamic Strawberries w/Whipped Ricotta Cream and Maple Glazed Seeded Nuts.
Ingredients
Whipped Ricotta Cream
- 2 cups part skim or whole milk ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or honey, but I really like the maple flavor)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Balsamic Strawberries
- 2 cups strawberries, halved
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Maple Glazed Seeded Nuts
- 1 1/2 cups mixed whole nuts (I used equal amounts pistachios, almonds, cashews + pecans)
- 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds or pepitas, pumpkin seeds
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds or flax seeds
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- To make the ricotta cream: Place the ricotta cheese, pure maple syrup (make sure there is no added sugar in your syrup) and vanilla in a food processor or blender. Puree until completely smooth and whipped, about 1 minute. Scoop the ricotta cream into a bowl and refrigerate until cold, at least 15 minutes or until ready to eat.
- Meanwhile make the balsamic strawberries: Place the strawberries, balsamic vinegar and maple syrup in a small pot. Bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes or until the strawberries are just beginning to soften. Using a slotted spoon remove only the strawberries and place them in a bowl. Bring the remaining sauce to a boil, boil for another 3-5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened into a thin syrup. You do not want it to thicken too much so watch it closely. Pour the sauce over the strawberries. Allow the berries to cool a little before serving.
- To make the maple glazed seeded nuts, add the nuts and seeds to a skillet set over medium heat. Toast the nuts until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Once the nuts are toasted remove from the heat and stir in the maple syrup, vanilla and a pinch of sea salt. Spoon the mixture out onto a baking sheet lined with parchment. Allow to cool and then store in an airtight container.
- To assemble, spoon the strawberries into the bottom of four small bowls or jars. Next add the ricotta cream and then add the nuts on top. Lastly, drizzle with more balsamic syrup. Grab a spoon!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Have a berry delicious Tuesday! Oh, and don’t forget to let me know your opinions on countertop options!
How can you beat the flavors of Strawberries, Ricotta, and Maple!
I know, right? Thanks Ann!
Lovely! I love the jar you made it in! Where did you get it?
Thank you so much!! I search high and low for them, but found them at local store.
Gorgeous! My husband loves ricotta, this will be a huge hit. As for the counters I absolutely adore marble but you have to be okay with the stains that are inevitable.
Thanks Lauren and I am thinking marble, but yeah the stains! Not sure I like that part. 🙁
Love this idea as a dessert or breakfast!! Tieghan love that spoon.
Thanks Ami!! 🙂
How much maple syrup for the nuts? I think the time to make this is actually more than just a few minutes, more like 1/2 hour, but the yum factor will make it worth the time.
2-3 tablespoons depending on how sweet you like it. Thanks!
Those mixed nuts looks so good. We have Corian counter tops and they scratch really bad. Where I work alot is the worse places. I have formica when we first built the house and they did not scratch as bad as this. The man told us that granite was bad to mildew where it was glues to the wood. Maybe they have improved since we got ours.
Thanks Charlotte! I am actually thinking maybe marble. I know it is tricky, but I have also heard good things too.
This looks just perfect! Would make a great after dinner snack in this house, thanks Tieghan!
Thank you, Kathy! Hoping your week is going well!
Yum! I just purchased some dark chocolate balsamic vinegar and I bet it would pair perfectly with these strawberries!
That would be perfect! Thanks Jenna!
Two words – Leathered granite.
It’s granite counter tops, with a bit of texture, buttery, smooth and so amazing. We just put them in our old farmhouse we are renovating, they fit the bill better than shiny more modern looking marble and granite. We went with Bianco Romano leathered granite. Best money spent on the house yet. So in love.
I will look into that! Thanks so much!
Woo hoo! The more strawberries, the better! I love the balsamic-strawberry combo in this. So yummy!
Thanks Katrina!
I think my favorite part in the maple glazed seeded nuts. Could be thrown i not granola too.
Love how you can use all sorts of different berries. Will be picking wild blackberries soon! Yay.
Oh blackberries would be delicious!
I eat lowfat ricotta with honey almost every morning so this recipe is calling my name. I love the old mason jar so cute. I like marble counter tops because I can roll out pie crusts and pizza dough right on the counter but they do require TLC
I am thinking marble, but there is a lot to consider with marble too! Thank you!
This looks delicious! I’m loving cherries this summer more than ever too. On the counters- I love the look and function of soapstone. I’ve heard concrete is a pain if you actually cook. Here’s a link to a great forum on kitchens. I used it so much when we did our kitchen. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath/
Thanks for that link! Headed to check it out now! 🙂
This looks gorgeous! I just have one question: where did you get your wooden looking spoon from? It’s lovely! Good luck on the barn 🙂
Thanks Julia! Not sure where the spoon is from, my parents brought it back from Utah. Sorry!
This looks healthy and delicious! But I think the maple syrup for the nutst was accidentally omitted from the list of ingredients…
So sorry, it is 2-3 tablespoons (depending on how sweet you like you it). Thanks so much!