Ricotta with Crushed Olives, Almond & Lemon
What’s so great about this combo is how balanced it is. The creaminess of the ricotta softens the boldness of the olives, while the almonds offer texture and richness.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Zester or microplane
- Small knife
- Cutting board
- Spoon or small spatula
- Serving dish or small bowl
- Toaster or oven (optional)
Ingredients
For the Ricotta Mixture
- 1 cup fresh ricotta cheese
- ½ cup pitted olives Kalamata or black olives work best
- ¼ cup toasted almonds roughly crushed
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional Garnish
- A few whole almonds or olive slices for topping
- Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme optional
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Almonds
- If your almonds aren’t toasted, preheat a small pan over medium heat.
- Add the almonds and toast them for about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until they’re golden and fragrant.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
- Once cool, roughly crush the almonds using the flat side of a knife or pulse a few times in a food processor — you want some bigger pieces for crunch, not a powder.
- Pro tip: Toasting almonds enhances their natural nuttiness and adds a lovely depth to the dish. Don’t skip this step!
Step 2: Prep the Olives
- Pit the olives if they aren’t already pitted.
- Roughly chop or crush them with a knife. You want bite-sized pieces, not a paste.
Step 3: Zest and Juice the Lemon
- Use a microplane or fine grater to zest the lemon, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
- Cut the lemon in half and squeeze out about 1 tablespoon of fresh juice, removing any seeds.
Step 4: Combine the Ingredients
- In a mixing bowl, add the ricotta cheese.
- Gently fold in the chopped olives, crushed almonds, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- Drizzle in the olive oil.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Mix everything gently with a spoon or spatula until well combined but still creamy.
- Pro tip: Be gentle when mixing so the ricotta stays light and fluffy rather than becoming too dense.
Step 5: Taste and Adjust
- Taste your ricotta mixture and adjust the seasoning as needed. If you want it tangier, add a little more lemon juice. If you want more crunch or olive flavor, add a pinch more almonds or olives.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
- Transfer the ricotta mixture to a serving dish or individual bowls.
- Garnish with a few whole almonds, olive slices, or fresh herbs if you like.
- Serve immediately with crusty bread, crackers, or fresh veggies.
- Pro tip: For a beautiful presentation, drizzle a little extra olive oil on top right before serving.
Notes
Nutritional Value (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~180–220 kcal
- Protein: ~6–7g
- Fat: ~17g (includes healthy fats from olive oil, almonds, and ricotta)
- Carbohydrates: ~4–6g
- Fiber: ~1–2g
- Sugar: ~1–2g
- Calcium: ~120–150mg