Il Cucinologo
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Pistachio, Ricotta, and Wild Strawberry Tartlets

17/11/2023

The pistachio, ricotta, and wild strawberry tartlets are a fresh and spring-like dessert, ideal for an after-dinner treat or an elegant snack. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

  • Shortcrust pastry:

    • 250 g of 00 flour
    • 125 g cold butter, cubed
    • 100 g powdered sugar
    • 1 large egg
    • A pinch of salt

  • Pistachio cream:

    • 250 g fresh ricotta
    • 70 g pistachio paste (available in specialty stores or online)
    • 50 g powdered sugar (adjust to taste)
    • 40 g finely chopped pistachios

  • Decoration:

    • Wild strawberries to taste
    • Chopped pistachios to taste
    • Powdered sugar for dusting

Preparation

  1. Start with the shortcrust pastry: in a large bowl, mix the flour with the powdered sugar and salt. Add the cold butter, cubed, and work the mixture with your fingertips until you obtain a sandy consistency.
  2. Add the egg and knead briefly until you obtain a homogeneous dough. Form a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and let it rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, prepare the pistachio cream: in a bowl, mix the ricotta with the powdered sugar until you obtain a smooth cream. Incorporate the pistachio paste and the chopped pistachios, mix well, and place the cream in the fridge to firm up.
  4. Roll out the shortcrust pastry on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 5 mm. Line tartlet molds with the pastry, prick the bottom with a fork, and bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 15-20 minutes or until golden. Let cool completely.
  5. Once the pastry bases are cold, fill the tartlets with the pistachio cream and decorate with wild strawberries and chopped pistachios.
  6. Before serving, dust with a little powdered sugar for a touch of sweetness and a more refined visual effect.

Trivia

Pistachio is an oily seed that can be found in many varieties around the world, from the most prized like Bronte Pistachio, PDO from Sicily, to other less known but equally delicious varieties. Often used in pastry for its delicate but distinctive flavor and its intense green color, pistachio adds personality and character to every dessert.