Did you know that pistachios have been around for thousands of years? and thoroughly enjoyed by itself, salted, or in a dish of some sort, by the middle east and Central Asia. Its consumption dates back to 6750 BCE. Isnt that cool!! ??

The tree itself is native to Afganistan, Central Asia and Iran. They were highly valued by ancient civilisations including Romans, Greeks and Egyptians. They were particularly valued for their health and medicinal benefits.

The pistachio is a member of the cashew family, and the kernals can be eaten roasted and salted, raw, made into an icecream, dessert or savoury dish.

I dont recall when I actually first ate them, but they are definitely one of my favourites, if not the favourite nut that I eat!

They have a unique flavour, and some amazing health benefits:

  • Antioxidants: polyphenols, phytochemicals, gama-tocopherols: which are all known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxiidant effects. Including antioxidants in your diet reduces your risk of cancers and other diseases by reducing oxidative stress and free radical accumulation, that can damage our cells. Pistachios contain higher concentrations of antioxidants that most other nuts!

  • Contain Lutein and zeaxanthin: known antioxidants that are beneficial for eye health- research has demonstrated that these particulary reduce the rish of the development of chronic eye conditions such as cataracts

  • Micro and macro nutrients: pistachios are rich in protein, healthy fats and fiber!.

  • They are also rich in many vitamins and minerals including B6, which is important for cognitive function, thiamine, magnesium, copper, potassium, zinc, manganese and phosphorus

  • Gut health: pistachios contain prebiotics that helps feed the good bacteria in the gut and digestive system

  • Heart health: High antioxidants needed for cardiovascular health, and shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, which are linked to cardiovascular issues.

How do you describe the taste for pistachios? There is really nothing else like them. They have a sharp nutty flavour thats earthy and a little sweet. I feel like this is one of those foods id be happy to live of if it came to that!

Pistachio 101

Pistachio - Fudge - Brownie

This has the best flavours with my favourites combinations - pistachios, dates, cocoa, and a few other extras. Smooth, creamy, nutty, chocolately, and a strawberry bang, balanced perfectly with chocolate - oh this is just SO good

Ingredients:

Pistachio butter can be purchased from most food stores - its a lot more budjet freiendy, healthy and fresh when making it from scratch

Base:

300g unsalted pistachios

1.5 cups presoaked, pitted medjool dates (plus 1/4 cup of its liquid)

1/2 cup cocoa

1 cup almond meal / ground almonds

tsp vanilla

pinch sea salt

Blend pistachios into a nut butter and then divide it in 2 portions. Keep one portion in your blender and add remaining ingredients, blend until smooth and squash onto lined tray

Pistachio centre:

Remainder of pistachio - butter

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup melted coconut oil

Whisk together until super smooth and pour and smooth over base. Refridgerate until set

Strawberry top:

500g strawberries

1/2 cup chia seeds

1/4 cup maple syrup

Squeeze of lemon

Mash strawberries and add to blender along with remaning ingredients and blend - then smooth over pistachio butter layer and freeze

Chocolate ganache:

300g dark chocolate

1/2 cup coconut milk

Melt chocolate and then whisk together with cream and smooth over top.

Sprinkle with a little sea salt and freeze to set

  • keep this in the fridge, but first freeze it , then cut it and store in the fridge in an air tight container - it wont last a week but thats the general guideline!