We’re channeling our inner Mediterranean spirit with this delectable Pistachio and Honey Farmer Cheese Spread made with Lifeway Farmer Cheese. This silky smooth spread has layers of flavors thanks to the earthy nuttiness of pistachios that pair perfectly with honey’s inviting sweetness and underlying floral notes.
Lifeway Farmer Cheese’s versatile nature makes it the ideal base for dips and spreads since its mild flavor acts as the perfect canvas for more prominent flavors, while its thick creaminess make it the best for holding up to crackers, veggies, pita bread, fruit, and almost anything else. It also whips up like a dream with no blending required!
Additionally, Lifeway Farmer Cheese contains live and active cultures which keeps your digestion humming along happily, while pistachios and dates we paired it with in this recipe are good sources of prebiotic fiber well-known to support the microbiome.
You can add a variety of spices and dried fruits to this dip to make it your own. We chose dates, a pinch of sea salt, and fresh mint to keep things simple and let the other flavors shine. Ginger, cinnamon, and a pinch of cardamom would work nicely here for sweet spices, or, turn this spread more savory with turmeric, black pepper, ginger, and a dash of coriander. Instead of dates, try raisins, mulberries, and diced apricots for additional dried fruit choices. Either way you mix it, dip it, or spread it, you’re sure to love it!
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for better gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and even help support healthier blood sugar levels and improve levels of satiety due to how it triggers the release of GLP-1 since it is an excellent source of protein and high in bioavailable nutrition.
Lifeway Kefir contains a variety of nutrients that are vital for healthy bones and overall health: vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Lifeway also offers our artisan-made Farmer Cheese, a creamy cultured cheese made with live and active cultures to support a healthy microbiome that is also an excellent source of complete protein.
Prep Time: 5 mins Servings: 2Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Farmer Cheese
- 2 pitted Medjool dates
- 2 tbsp. raw pistachios, shelled
- 2 tsp. raw honey
- pinch of sea salt
- Optional Extra Spices: cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, cardamom, coriander, etc.
- Garnishes: extra pistachios (chopped), diced dates, fresh mint, drizzle of honey, cracked black pepper
Directions
- In a food processor, add Lifeway Farmer Cheese, the pitted dates, pistachios, raw honey, and sea salt along with a few dashes of any spices you want to use. Process until the pistachios and dates are broken down but not completely blended. Use the pulse setting to achieve this the best.
- Scoop the mixture out into a serving bowl and swirl it on top with a spatula, then add the garnishes of fresh mint, extra chopped pistachios kernels, diced dates, a drizzle of honey, and a crack of fresh black pepper, if desired.
- Serve with your favorite crackers, pita bread, chopped veggies, or anything else. You can also spread this onto toasted bread to enjoy as a sandwich. Feel free to use gluten-free options for pairings if necessary.
- Swap the dates out for other dried to create different varieties; raisins, chopped apricots, and mulberries are all great ideas.
