Pear, Ricotta and Pine Nut Cake - PCOS-Friendly Recipe

Pear, Ricotta and Pine Nut Cake
Prep: 21 min
Cook: 50 min
Servings: 18
Lunch

Nutrition per Serving

200 Calories
6g Protein
27g Carbs
10g Fat
The combination of golden raisins, pine nuts and orange zest gives this cake a uniquely Sicilian flair. Keep in mind that those same flavors make a great addition to savory whole-grain rice pilafs as well.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 lb skim milk ricotta
  • 2/3 cup raw agave nectar
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1/4 cup natural sugar
  • 1 cup golden raisins, soaked in 3/4 cup orange juice for 20 minutes
  • 6 oz pine nuts
  • Grated zest of 2 oranges
  • 6 large egg yolks, whisked until foamy
  • 4 large pears, peeled, diced or grated in a food processor, and drained of excess liquid
  • 2 Tbsp confectioners’ sugar (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease and flour a 10-inch springform pan.
  2. Place the ricotta and agave nectar in a large bowl and mix until ricotta is smooth.
  3. Beat the egg whites on high speed with sugar until stiff peaks form.
  4. Drain the raisins, pat them dry and dice them. Add the pine nuts, orange zest, raisins, egg yolks and pears to the ricotta mixture, and mix with a wooden spoon until incorporated.
  5. Fold egg whites into ricotta mixture with a spatula, stirring clockwise. (Start at the “3 o’clock” position and turn your wrist counterclockwise until you reach the same point.) Continue folding in the egg whites just until they are incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
  6. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and hit pan on the counter a few times to release air bubbles. Position a rack in the center of the oven, and bake cake until a knife inserted in the top comes out clean, 40-50 minutes.
  7. Cool to room temperature, sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar and cut into thin wedges to serve.
  8. Choices: 1 Fruit, 1/2 Carbohydrate, 2 Fat

How This Recipe Supports PCOS Management

Understanding the nutritional profile of what you eat is a powerful step in managing PCOS. Here is how the key ingredients in this Pear, Ricotta and Pine Nut Cake contribute to your health goals:

  • Egg: Contain choline which supports liver function and hormone metabolism

PCOS Diet Principles in This Recipe

The PCOS diet focuses on three core principles: reducing inflammation, managing insulin resistance, and supporting hormonal balance. Every recipe in our collection is evaluated against these principles. This recipe excels in providing protein-rich ingredients that help regulate appetite hormones (ghrelin and leptin). As part of a balanced PCOS meal plan, we recommend pairing recipes like this with a variety of nutrient-dense foods throughout the week to ensure you are meeting all your micronutrient needs.

Meal Prep Tip: This Pear, Ricotta and Pine Nut Cake can be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Meal prepping is one of the most effective strategies for sticking to a PCOS-friendly diet, as it removes the temptation to reach for processed convenience foods when time is short.

PCOS-Friendly Foods in This Recipe

This recipe contains the following foods that may benefit PCOS management: Nuts, Agave.

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