National Pistachio Day: Healthy Recipe Using The Tasty Nut

Nuts are seeds that are termed superfoods because they are superior to other food items in terms of nutritional values.

Nuts, especially almonds and pistachios, are experts in supplementing the protein requirement of the body and in facilitating the boost of the vitamins and minerals that are needed to maintain a healthy heart and mind.

Studies have proven that whenever there is a dip in energy levels in the body, eating a handful of nuts can perk it up. Pistachios are majorly linked to cardiovascular health as they effectively lower the cholesterol levels in the body and provide an abundance of antioxidants.

Pistachios are beneficial on many levels -- they are known to prevent aging, sharpen the intellect, and so much more. There are two ways to eat pistachios -- you can enjoy them raw or use them in desserts -- either way, you are providing your body with healthy, unsaturated fat.

On National Pistachio Day, which is observed on Feb. 26, here's a pistachio dessert recipe for healthy munching. (Courtesy: The Recipe Critic)

No-bake pistachio cream pie

Ingredients:

Cream cheese- 8 ounces, softened

Milk- 1 cup

Instant pistachio pudding mix- 3.4 ounces

Pineapple- 8 ounces, crushed

Graham cracker crust- 9 inch

Whipping cream- 2 cups

Powdered sugar- 3 tablespoons

Pistachios- coarsely chopped or garnished

Procedure:

1. Take a medium-sized bowl and beat the cream cheese, milk and pistachio pudding mix until a smooth batter is formed. Fold in pineapple and spoon into the crust.

2. Beat the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread evenly on top of the pistachio layer. Garnish with chopped pistachios and chill until the pudding is ready to serve.

Here are some quotes about pistachios that will give you a flurry of reasons why you must eat healthy nuts:

• "Pistachio nuts, the red ones, cure any problem."- Paula Danziger
• "People are like pistachios, some of them open up easily, but there are others who need to be really broken to get into."- Anonymous
• "The pistachio: it's just like our politics. When the two sides are divided, that's when the nuts come out."- Stephen Colbert
• "They've given Harry the attributes of pistachio nuts and crack cocaine without the health risks"- David Mitchell