Lemony Ricotta Rice Cake with Blueberries

Have you ever thought of rice cakes as a bit bland and boring? Think again.

This quick and easy recipe transforms the humble OG snack base with a cloud of creamy ricotta, juicy blueberries and a showering of lemon zest. ‘Tis rice cake perfection. The belle of the rice cake ball. The Cinderella of rice cakes.

As a Registered Nutritionist, I’m all about celebrating nature’s bounty of fruit. Whip one (or two) of these up in minutes and enjoy as a fruit-based nutritious snack idea. I promise your tastebuds will be very happy.

Gather Ingredients

• Plain brown rice cake. A type of snack made from puffed rice pressed into a compact cake shape. Rice cakes have a light and crispy texture, and come in a variety of flavours – but opt for plain here.
• Fresh ricotta. A mild soft white cheese that works great as a spread. I love using whole milk ricotta, as the extra fat adds flavour and richness.
• Runny honey. Just a smidge to sweeten the ricotta. We don’t need much as this dish stars naturally sweet fruit. Skip to keep free of added sugars.
• Fresh blueberries. Rich in antioxidants, these burst with juicy flavour and add a pop of colour. Lovely at seasonal best!
• Lemon zest. To take everything up a notch. The zest contains essential lemon oils that add flavour without acidity (unlike the juice).

Lemon lovers – to prevent food waste, here are ideas for your leftover lemon juice: squeeze to flavour water, make lemony ice cubes, add to a curry to brighten or whisk with EVOO for a speedy salad dressing🍋.

Step-by-Step: Lemon Ricotta Rice Cakes

Kitchen Tips

Here are tips and tricks to grow your kitchen skills, while improving the final outcome of this dish:

• Beware the pith. Aka the notoriously bitter spongy white layer concealed below the yellow peel. Avoid it by grating gently and not focusing on one spot for too long.
• No fresh blueberries? Use frozen, defrosting in the microwave first. If you’re not a blueberry fan, raspberries, blackberries or sliced strawberries will work like a charm too.
• No ricotta on hand, or not a fan? A light and mild cottage cheese is your best substitution bet. If you want to totally veer off course, almond butter brings the creamy factor, but with a nutty twist.

Serving & Storing

This snack idea is best enjoyed fresh. Once you load moist toppings onto a crisp rice cake it’ll start to soften. However, if made in advance, store in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a day.

Serving-size wise, while the recipe is for one loaded rice cake, you may find that two (or more) a more suitable snack size for your energy needs and appetite.

Nutrition Q&A

What are the benefits of adding a protein or fat-rich food, like ricotta, overtop of a rice cake? Three reasons: satiety, nutrient diversity and pleasure.

• Adding protein or fat-rich foods (e.g. cheese, tuna, egg, nut butter, hummus, avocado) overtop a carbohydrate-rich rice cake will create a more satisfying snack, leaving you full for longer.
• It brings more nutrient diversity into the mix, helping your body receive a wider array of nutrients needed to function and thrive.
• Lastly, rice cakes are wildly bland on their own – a topping will enhance the taste creating a far more enjoyable snack. Remember: nourish and tempt.

Thanks for reading! Do you dig a ricotta and fruit combo? Check out this whipped lemon ricotta tart with fruit🍋