Coking with nuts is a tasty and healthy option! Nuts not only add a pop of flavour to your foods, but they also have a number of health advantages. Nuts can enhance the nutritional value of your meals because they are a rich source of important nutrients like healthy fats, protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Additionally, they offer a fantastic texture and crunch that ups the enjoyment factor. To suit your culinary inventiveness, nuts can be utilised in a wide range of recipes, from salads to stir-fries, pasta dishes to baked products. 

You can explore and make delectable foods that fit your preferences because of their variety. And let's not overlook how satisfying nuts are! Because they contain protein, fibre, and healthy fats, they help you maintain a healthy weight by making you feel filled for longer. Nuts are a great option whether you have dietary restrictions or are just seeking for a delicious complement to your meals. We're going to share a dish with you today that calls for organic nuts! 

Hummus

Hummus is a popular Middle Eastern dip or spread that is made from cooked and mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and various spices. It has a smooth and creamy texture with a nutty and tangy flavour. SInce it is a versatile and healthy snack, hummus has long been a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine and has grown in popularity all over the world. It is frequently served as a dip for crackers, raw veggies, or pita bread. It can also be added flavorfully to salads, bowls, or roasted vegetables. It can be used as a spread on sandwiches or wraps.

In addition to being delicious, hummus has a number of health advantages. It is abundant in healthy fats, dietary fibre, plant-based protein, and vital vitamins and minerals. The main component of hummus, chickpeas, has folate, iron, and manganese as well as being a good source of protein. Tahini further contributes healthy fats, while garlic and lemon juice offer antioxidants and other advantageous ingredients. Overall, hummus is a nutritious and versatile food that can be enjoyed in many ways, making it a popular choice for a healthy snack or meal. Here’s how to make hummus with a twist by using cashew!

Ingredients:

1 cup raw cashews, soaked in water for 4-6 hours, then drained

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 

1/4 cup tahini (sesame paste)

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

2-3 tablespoons water (as needed to adjust consistency)

Instructions:

1. In a food processor or blender, combine the soaked and drained cashews, chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, minced garlic, olive oil, ground cumin, and salt.

2. Process the mixture until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. If the mixture is too thick, you can add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.

3. Taste the hummus and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt or lemon juice according to your preference.

4. Transfer the cashew nut hummus to a serving bowl.

5. Serve the cashew nut hummus with pita bread, raw vegetables, or crackers. It can also be used as a spread or dip for sandwiches, wraps, or as a flavorful addition to salads and bowls.

Enjoy your homemade cashew nut hummus!

Almond Crusted Vegetarian Chicken

Almond-crusted vegetarian chicken is a meatless substitute for conventional chicken that has a crunchy almond crust. It frequently starts with tofu, seitan, or another plant-based protein as the main ingredient, which is then covered in a mixture of nuts and several seasonings. Once the vegetarian protein has been coated with Dijon mustard or another binding agent, it is pressed into a mixture of ground or finely chopped almonds and your choice of spices and seasonings. After coating, the "chicken" is roasted in the oven until the almond crust is crisp and golden brown.

This vegetarian chicken with almond crust has a delicious and crunchy exterior that is comparable to chicken traditionally coated in breadcrumbs or other ingredients. For those seeking a crispy and filling dish without the use of animal products, it provides a plant-based solution. It can be combined with other sides and sauces to make a delectable and nutritious meal, used as the main course, in sandwiches or wraps, or served on its own. Here’s how to make almond crusted vegetarian chicken!

Ingredients:

1 block of firm seitan

1 cup almonds, finely chopped 

1/4 cup nutritional yeast

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon paprika

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Drain and press the tofu to remove excess moisture. If using seitan, pat it dry with paper towels.

3. In a shallow bowl, combine the finely chopped or ground almonds, nutritional yeast, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.

4. Cut the tofu or seitan into desired "chicken" shapes or cutlets.

5. Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on each piece of tofu or seitan, coating both sides.

6. Dip each piece into the almond mixture, pressing gently to adhere and coat evenly.

7. Place the coated "chicken" pieces onto the prepared baking sheet.

8. Drizzle olive oil over the top of the coated pieces or lightly spray with cooking spray.

9. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the almond crust is golden brown and crispy.

10. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

You can serve the almond-crusted vegetarian "chicken" with your choice of side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad. Enjoy your plant-based twist on the classic almond-crusted chicken!

Walnut Pesto Pasta 

For a pasta dish called walnut pesto pasta, walnuts are used in place of or in addition to the conventional pine nuts found in pesto sauce. The dish is topped with a rich and aromatic sauce that is produced by combining fresh basil leaves, walnuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper. The dish's distinctive flavour comes from the pesto's distinctive nutty and somewhat sweet taste provided by the walnuts.

The sauce is often mixed with cooked pasta to make walnut pesto pasta, making sure that every strand is coated in the tasty mixture. The creamy, rich walnut pesto is absorbed by the pasta, resulting in a flavorful fusion. For an additional touch of aesthetic appeal and flavour, the meal is frequently topped with grated Parmesan cheese, chopped walnuts, and fresh basil leaves. It can be served as a main course or a side dish. Walnut pesto pasta is a pleasant variation on classic pesto pasta that highlights the richness and adaptability of walnuts in making a filling and delectable supper. Those who enjoy the distinctive flavour of walnuts will find the nutty sauce and the soft pasta to be a comfortable and tasty mix. Here’s how to make pesto pasta using walnuts!

Ingredients:

8 ounces pasta 

2 cups fresh basil leaves

1/2 cup walnuts

2 cloves garlic

1/2 cup Nutritional Yeast

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, walnuts, garlic, and Nutritional Yeast. Pulse until coarsely chopped.

3. Gradually add the olive oil while pulsing, until the mixture reaches your desired consistency.

4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Toss the cooked pasta with the walnut pesto until well coated.

6. Serve the walnut pesto pasta with an extra sprinkle of Nutritional Yeast and some additional chopped walnuts on top, if desired.

Written by: Alia Adrina Asri

Love Earth Nutritionist

Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Hons)