• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Learn how food affects your body. Get Free Nutrition Info Today

the-lean-green-bean-logo
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Kids
  • Resources
    • Ebooks
    • Food Prep
    • Videos
    • Snack Round-Ups
    • Gift Guides
  • About
    • Become An RD
    • Work With Me
  • Search
the-lean-green-bean-logo
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Kids
  • Resources
    • Ebooks
    • Food Prep
    • Videos
    • Snack Round-Ups
    • Gift Guides
  • About
    • Become An RD
    • Work With Me
  • Search

Pistachio Pairings Challenge

February 5, 2014 by Lindsay 31 Comments

9 shares
  • Facebook4
  • Twitter
  • Email

“I received free pistachio samples from the Pistachio Health Institute mentioned in this post. By posting this pairing I am entering a contest sponsored by Pistachio Health Institute and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.”

Hi Friends!

It’s time for another Recipe Redux challenge! This month, we had the option of participating in a contest sponsored by The Pistachio Health Institute. Since pistachios are one of my favorite nuts, I jumped at the chance! This wasn’t your typical recipe contest…it was actually a pairings challenge.

We were tasked with coming up with a winning combination of food and drink that would pair well with in-shell pistachios.

pairings1

Let’s talk about in-shell pistachios for a minute, shall we?

They’re a great healthy snack option, especially for people who like to snack in volume. A one-ounce serving of pistachios equals approximately 49 nuts, which is more nuts per serving than any other snack nut, and a reduced serving of about 30 pistachios is just about 100 calories.

In addition, empty pistachio shells may serve as a “visual cue” of how many pistachios you’ve consumed, so don’t discard the shells after you’ve enjoyed the treat inside. Studies have shown that people who left the shells on their desk reduced their calorie consumption by 18 percent compared to participants who discarded shells immediately after consumption.

————

So, the prompt we were given for this challenge was as follows:

In-shell Pistachios + food A + food B + drink c = yummmmmmmm

—————–

They’re picking winners in the following categories:

  • Mediterranean
  • Skinny Nut/Reduced Calorie
  • Kid Friendly
  • Indulgent

For my entry, I decided to go with Kid-Friendly (with an adult option!)

My pairing is as follows:

Deconstructed Trail Mix

In-Shell Pistachios + Craisins + Cheddar Crackers + Milk = YUM!

It’s basically like deconstructed trailmix, just waiting to be assembled…which is perfect for kids!

kid friendly

I took things to the next level and made my own cheddar crackers  and I’ll be sharing that recipe with you tomorrow, but store bought Annie’s Cheddar bunnies or Cheez-Its would work great as well! If your kiddo has a different favorite dried fruit, simply swap out the Craisins to make them happy.

AND if you’re looking for a more adult version, swap the milk for wine and add some spice to your crackers. You’ll be left with a wonderful combination of salty nuts, sweet fruit & savory/spicy crackers that pair wonderfully with red wine!

pairings2

Now it’s your turn! What would you pair with your pistachios?

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

table talk series
LEARN HOW FOOD AFFECTS YOUR BODY.

Get my free Table Talk email series where I share bite-sized nutrition information about carbs, protein, and fat, plus bonus information about snacks and sugar!

Enter your email here ...

Filed Under: Snack, Sponsored

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emmeline@RunForThePizza says

    February 5, 2014 at 5:58 AM

    I don’t actually like pistachios so I have no brilliant ideas but my husband just loves them so I can’t wait to see some of the ideas I can borrow from everyone to make a little surprise snack for him!

    Reply
  2. Linz @ Itz Linz says

    February 5, 2014 at 6:20 AM

    this does look really good!! i love pistachios!

    Reply
  3. Maryea {happy healthy mama} says

    February 5, 2014 at 6:47 AM

    We eat a ton of pistachios over here. It’s both of my kiddo’s favorite. Their favorite combination is pistachios+raisins+chocolate chips. 🙂

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      February 10, 2014 at 3:35 PM

      that sounds like a winning combo to me!

      Reply
  4. Carla says

    February 5, 2014 at 6:52 AM

    FORTY NINE A DAY HERE….every single day 🙂

    Reply
  5. Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says

    February 5, 2014 at 6:57 AM

    Yum!!! That looks pretty and tasty! Not sure what my favorite thing to pair with pistachios is, but I am definitely going to check out some of the other pairing suggestions. I hope you win!

    Reply
  6. Kim {Roaming Raspberry} says

    February 5, 2014 at 7:38 AM

    Pistachios are delicious! I had some just this morning in a bowl of oatmeal. All I know is pistachios paired with cranberries is the best thing ever. Especially on top of a goat cheese salad with blueberry dressing. To die for.

    Reply
  7. Tina Muir says

    February 5, 2014 at 7:40 AM

    You made those cheese its! Wow! They look wonderful Lindsay! I love the idea of them with dried berries and pistachios, great flavor combination there!

    I have a big jar of mixed nuts that I consume for snacks between meals, I always pick the pistachios out first as they are one of my favorites….along with macadamia nuts! Yum! Thanks for all the new ideas!

    Reply
  8. Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says

    February 5, 2014 at 7:56 AM

    I love pistachios but I never think to buy them! And you can never go wrong with a trail mix 😉

    Reply
  9. Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says

    February 5, 2014 at 8:21 AM

    Is it bad that I had not tried a pistachio until about a year ago? Silly me!! I had majorly been missing out in the past :(.

    Reply
  10. Elizabeth @ Positive Change says

    February 5, 2014 at 8:22 AM

    Yummy! I love all the different options!
    I love pairing something citrus with my pistachios. They can be so dry sometimes and a little citrus and sweetness makes them pop! Maybe an orange chicken pistachios dish! Hmm.. might try that for dinner tonight!

    Reply
  11. Deanna Segrave-Daly says

    February 5, 2014 at 8:35 AM

    This is a yummy big-kid pairing, too – yum!

    Reply
  12. Jody - Fit at 56 says

    February 5, 2014 at 9:25 AM

    LOVE pistachios!!!

    Reply
  13. Jessica Dawn Morrison says

    February 5, 2014 at 9:56 AM

    Thanks for the post! What a quick and easy snack. I wouldn’t have thought to put craisins with pistachios. And I enjoy both! It’s on my grocery list today now. Thanks!

    Reply
  14. Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says

    February 5, 2014 at 10:04 AM

    Ooo! Pistachios are my favorite nut. The trail mix with cheddar crackers and craisins is such a fabulous idea!

    Reply
  15. Amber says

    February 5, 2014 at 10:31 AM

    I’ve never had pistachios before, but I’m definitely inspired to try them with this trail mix you created!

    Reply
  16. Selena @ thenutritiouskitchen.com says

    February 5, 2014 at 10:56 AM

    Oh my gosh I LOVE cheddar crackers! Never would have thought to pair them with pistachios. This would be a great snack for the week 🙂 Can’t wait for the homemade cheddar cracker recipe too!

    Reply
  17. Kristen@ Swanky Dietitian says

    February 5, 2014 at 11:47 AM

    Yum!
    This looks great! I am loving all the options everyone is coming up with!

    Reply
  18. Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says

    February 5, 2014 at 12:03 PM

    I am so bummed about missing this challenge. love the idea of deconstructed trail mix – I dont know if I like kids or adult version better..maybe both 🙂

    [WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.

    Reply
  19. Diana @sosmallsostrong says

    February 5, 2014 at 2:22 PM

    WHAAAT! This Trail Mix looks seriously awesome and the fact that you made your own cheddar crackers is phenomenal. I have been known to stay away from Cheez-its because I LOVE them too much.

    Can’t wait for the recipe! Bravo!

    Reply
  20. misszippy says

    February 5, 2014 at 3:56 PM

    This is fun! I love your ideas…far more creative than me!

    Reply
  21. Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog says

    February 5, 2014 at 4:12 PM

    What a fun idea! I really look forward to your cheese cracker recipe. Cheez-its are one of my all time favorite snacks, but I don’t usually buy them. I’d eat a whole box myself! I’m sure your version is healthier making it a better option in my book. 🙂

    Reply
  22. Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness says

    February 5, 2014 at 4:49 PM

    My kids would def eat this and that’s saying something! So many great pairing ideas!

    Reply
  23. Celina Allemand says

    February 5, 2014 at 5:37 PM

    I could pair almost anything up with wine…is that bad? But, hey, a glass a night is ok, right??? Ha!
    Good luck, I hope you win!

    Reply
  24. Leigha says

    February 5, 2014 at 6:02 PM

    Great idea! I’ve got to get in on that Recipe Redux. Love pistachios!

    Reply
  25. Lisa @ RunWiki says

    February 5, 2014 at 6:14 PM

    My kids would love!! I can’t wait to see the cracker recipe.

    Reply
  26. Casey says

    February 5, 2014 at 7:44 PM

    I’ve made an awesome pesto with pistachios and sage before!

    Reply
  27. Matt @ Runner Savvy says

    February 5, 2014 at 7:58 PM

    Pistachios and gouda cheese!

    Reply
  28. Francesca says

    February 5, 2014 at 9:54 PM

    Looks amazing! Gimme that cracker recipe…

    Reply
  29. purelytwins says

    February 5, 2014 at 10:26 PM

    we love pistachios 🙂 have done a lot of recipes lately with them. they seem to go with everything haha

    Reply
  30. Amanda says

    February 10, 2014 at 3:22 PM

    We love pistachios! And pairing them with craisins is seriously the best!! I recently made a quinoa dish that called for them and it was delish 🙂 Can’t wait to try the homemade Cheez-Its, too!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

Learn More →

Questions? Comments? Email me: [email protected]

The Lean Green Bean Facebook The Lean Green Bean Instagram The Lean Green Bean Pinterest The Lean Green Bean Twitter The Lean Green Bean Feed
footer-logo
The Lean Green Bean Facebook The Lean Green Bean Instagram The Lean Green Bean Pinterest The Lean Green Bean Twitter The Lean Green Bean Feed
Recipes

Breakfast
Dinner
Snack
Slow Cooker

Kids

Cooking With Kids
Favorite Gifts
Toddler Meals
Indoor Activities

Resources

Easy Packed Lunches for Kids
Dinner Spark
Snack Spark
Ultimate Guide to Food Prep

About

Meet Lindsay
Become an RD
Work with Me

The Lean Green Bean is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Read the full privacy and disclosure policy here.

Copyright © 2022 · The Lean Green Bean

table talk series

Learn how food affects your body.

Get my free Table Talk email series where I share bite-sized nutrition information about carbs, protein, and fat, plus bonus information about snacks and sugar!

[email protected]