Peanut Butter Ricotta Spread
This is delicious and creamy way to enjoy the flavor of peanut butter, but a little less fatty version of it. Peanuts and Peanut Butter are strongly flavored foods so a little goes a long way in flavoring this spread, which makes use of low fat or fat free ricotta cheese as another protein source. Together, they make a fluffy peanut spread which is terrific on rice cakes or used as a dip for celery sticks and apple slices — and it’s popular with children and teens.
We first found this recipe courtesy of Heartland Health Spa. The spa combines peanut butter, ricotta, honey, cinnamon and vanilla and almond extracts.
We also found a variation in Canyon Ranch Cooking, which combines roasted peanuts, ricotta, milk, cinnamon, a bit of sugar, and a bit of milk. The benefit here is that you can leave the peanuts chunky if you prefer chunky style peanut butter.
They are both wonderful so choose one based on what you have — peanuts or peanut butter — on hand. Note that the Heartland version makes much more, so this is great for parties.
The photo is by Andrea Cooking Books, who made the Canyon Ranch version, and had the great suggestion of using maple syrup in place of sugar and milk.
Ingredients
Heartland Peanut Butter Honey Almond Ricotta Spread
- 15 oz ricotta cheese - skim or low fat
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (all natural creamy)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Canyon Ranch Peanut Butter Ricotta Spread
- 1 cup ricotta cheese - skim or low fat
- 1/2 cup roasted, skinned peanuts
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 - 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons Splenda Sugar Blend (or granulated sugar)
Instructions
Heartland Version
- Add all ingredients to a food processor, process until smooth.
- Serve immediately or cover and chill until ready to serve.
Canyon Ranch Version
- Grind the peanuts in a food processor until they're the consistency of a grainy paste, or as chunky or smooth as you prefer.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and process until smooth.
- Serve on apple slices, stuffed in celery, or on crackers or a toasted pita.
This dip (with apple slices and celery sticks) is a favorite snack of every staffer. “That special peanut butter stuff” is regularly requested by the “Staff Kids” when they visit the office.