The 6 Tips To Be Mindful About While Cooking With Nuts
Often times, apart from being eaten as a snack or being used in trailmix, nuts like almonds, cashews, pistachios and more are also used for cooking to get a delightful crunch, rich flavour, sweet taste, or nutritional benefits that come with it when incorporated into different kinds of dishes, from salads and gravies to desserts.
They lend an earthy taste, thus enhancing the overall flavour of the dish.
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There are a variety of nuts available on the market that can be used in cooking. Nuts like almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and others have their own unique taste, which lends itself to the dishes they are used in. They are gluten-free and can be used in a variety of recipes, ranging from cakes and smoothies to curries.
Moreover, when the nuts are toasted, they add a warm complexity that balances the flavour of the dishes. Besides, owing to their high fibre content and monosaturated fats, adding them to the dish makes it wholesome. However, despite their versatility, cooking with nuts can result in unexpected outcomes if precautions are not taken properly. Take a look at the common mistakes that must be avoided while cooking with nuts:
- Avoid Overheating
The presence of natural oils in nuts can turn them rancid when exposed to high heat for a long period of time. Moreover, overheating can also cause them to taste bitter or burn them, thus ruining the flavour of the dish. To prevent this, toss nuts gently over low to medium heat and it is important to stir them frequently.
Toss them until they are lightly browned and exude fragrance. In some recipes, browning nuts helps convert their flavour into a deep and complex combination of tastes. This helps in providing an earthy taste to the dish. Keep an eye on the nuts to avoid them from burning and remove them from heat as soon as they’re done.
