It’s becoming a habit for many Canadian consumers these days – flip the box or container until you find the ‘Nutrition Facts’ panel, then brace yourself for the bad news. The reactions are common: “If I eat this, I’m done for the day!” or “Does it really have that much salt?”

Here’s some good news. Next time you’re at your favourite grocery store, head for the deli section and look for Tre Stelle’s new Flavoured Ricotta Cheese products. They’re perfect as a dip or a spread and they come in four popular flavours: Blueberry; Strawberry; Tropical Fruit and Spinach & Garlic.

Go on, check out the ‘Nutrition Facts’ -- you’ll feel good. Then, compare them to cream cheese products – even ‘light’ ones – and you’ll feel even better. Finally, take some home, spread a generous amount on a bagel and take a bite. You’ll be dancing around the kitchen and looking for a good place to hide it from the kids!

Here are a few facts: Tre Stelle Flavoured Ricotta contains just 8% milk fat, compared to between 14-18% for leading ‘light’ cream cheese products. A serving of Tre Stelle Flavoured Ricotta contains about 1% of recommended daily sodium, compared to 6-7% for leading cream cheese competitors. Last but not least, it contains more protein and calcium than leading cream cheeses.

Now you’ve got the picture, well, part of it anyway. But just because it’s good for you, doesn’t mean it tastes good, right? Your taste buds will be the ultimate judge, of course, but the reviews from satisfied consumers are remarkably similar: Tre Stelle Flavoured Ricottas are smooth, creamy, spreadable, dippable and delicious!

One satisfied customer, a Vancouver-based nutritional consultant, was moved to write about Tre Stelle’s Flavoured Ricottas on her blog, www.carolinescookies.blogspot.com. Caroline’s blog is based on the assertion: “A healthy diet leaves ample room for cookies.”

In an entry featuring Tre Stelle’s Flavoured Ricottas she writes: “For all you cheese and dip lovers, I have a healthy new suggestion. I tried a new dip by the TreStelle company made with low-fat ricotta and it's a winner! I've been cooking with ricotta cheese for a few years now and it's a good, creamy, low-fat substitute for cottage or cream cheese, and an excellent ingredient in cheesecakes, lasagna, and other creamy dishes.”

Caroline agrees the Spinach & Garlic flavour is a delicious dip for cut up veggies and says the fruit flavours “beg to be spread on bagels or have sweet fruits like strawberries or pineapple dipped into them.”

Here at Tre Stelle, we’ve been excitedly creating new recipes using our Flavoured

Ricottas. It’s time to share.

Spinach & Garlic Ricotta Dip: Your guests will flip for this dip that combines Tre Stelle Spinach & Garlic Flavoured Ricotta, Tre Stelle Shredded Mozzarella cheese, creamy Caesar salad dressing, chopped artichoke hearts and Tre Stelle Grated Parmesan Cheese. Mix, bake till it’s bubbling and browning, and dip away. Substitute Rosenborg Crumbled Blue Cheese for a even more piquant cheese flavour.

Strawberry Ricotta Topped Almond Cookies:  Mmmm…delicious buttery almond cookies topped with a mix of Tre Stelle Strawberry Flavoured Ricotta, whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

Tropical Fruit Ricotta Pineapple Stack: A fresh and delicious dessert treat. A juicy slice of whole fresh pineapple is topped with a mixture of Tre Stelle Tropical Fruit Ricotta, Tre Stelle Mascarpone, candied ginger and grated coconut.

Blueberry Ricotta Crepes:  Perfect for a sweet brunch or pleasing dessert, this recipe is made easy by using store-bought crepes. The filling is Tre Stelle Blueberry Ricotta Cheese with added blueberries, orange rind and sugar. The crepes are topped with a wonderful orange syrup crème.

Tre Stelle’s kitchens have also developed some fabulous Flavoured Ricotta recipes just for kids, who love the creamy texture and sweet fruit flavours.

Visit www.trestelle.ca to find these soon-to-be family favourites: Blueberry Ricotta Power Oatmeal; Tropical Ricotta Fruit Wrap; Strawberry Ricotta Stuffed French Toast and Spinach & Garlic Ricotta Mini Calzones.