Pistachio is a dry fruit of oriental origin but, its exquisite flavor and its versatility are known in almost all the world, reason why it is usually used in diversity of preparations. In addition, its content in good fats make it an ally of cardiovascular health.
Steps to follow:
1 Before toasting pistachios, check that they are in good condition. Once this is verified, you have to peel the pistachios before toasting them. Although doing it manually can be a bit tedious, there are two ways to streamline the process:
- Remove the peel with your hands, place the pistachios in boiling water for two minutes, drain the water and put them in another container, this time with cold water. In this way, the skin will come off faster.
- Another way is to take the pistachios and put them in boiling water for two minutes. When they are removed from the water, they are rubbed with a dish towel and in this way they will be easier to peel.
2 Pistachios can be in more than one way, but one of the most used is roasting them on the grill. In this case, you only need to have them clean, raw, without skin and seasoned with salt to pass them to a pan or wok over medium heat and without applying any type of oil or fat liquor. Stir constantly the pistachios with a wooden spoon until they are toasted, which will happen after two or three minutes.
3 Another way to roast pistachios is in the microwave. In this case, they should be placed in a ceramic dish, season with salt and set the time between 3 and 6 minutes, depending on the power of the appliance. After the set time, remove the plate and let it rest for a couple of minutes before removing it from the microwave to complete the toasting process.
If you are going to roast many pistachios, it is best to do it in several batches, to avoid that they remain raw.
4 The most traditional way of roasting pistachios is baked. It is a longer and more meticulous process than the previous ones but it is very good to do it when you have large quantities of this nut (from 8 to 10 cups). To prepare them with this method, the first thing to do is mix 6 tablespoons of salt in half a cup of hot water. When the salt is dissolved, the mixture should be added to a large saucepan or pan and deep and cook over medium heat until the water boils.
Add the shelled pistachios and let the salt water evaporate completely. This process will take a half hour and during that time you should remove them to ensure that everyone is soaked in salt homogeneously.
While this is happening, you can preheat the oven to 120ºC (250º Fahrenheit). When the water in the pistachios has evaporated completely, place them in the tray for and leave them in the oven for an hour and a half. If after the time you see that they are not yet fully toasted, you can leave them for another half hour.
Every 30 minutes you should remove the pistachios to make sure they do not burn and that the toasting is uniform. When they are ready, remove the oven and let them rest for at least 10 minutes. If the pistachios are not for immediate consumption, store them in an airtight container and in a cool and dry place.
5 The use of salt in the toasting of pistachios has two functions: seasoning and preventing them from burning, since the grains avoid the direct contact of the pistachios with the hot surface. That’s why you should make sure to use a quality salt, preferably the one you use to cook on a daily basis.
6 As you can see, there are several ways to roast pistachios and the best thing is that any of them allows you to take advantage of the properties and nutrients of this nut: they are rich in monounsaturated fats, which help to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood, stimulate a better arterial circulation and prevent cardiovascular diseases. In addition, they have an active compound called arginine that increases the levels of nitric acid in the body, which prevents the accumulation of substances that make up the arterial plaque.
7 When roasting pistachios, not only can you get a delicious and healthy snack, but it can also be a key ingredient to prepare more elaborate dishes and desserts.
Roasted pistachios can be added to cake mixes or muffins and will not go to the bottom of the mold, but will be distributed in the mix. The same happens with any other dried fruit that has gone through a previous toasting process. Another option is to use them in the menus of meals or dinners, so for example you can prepare a healthy and different salad with delicious nuts prepared by you.
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Article Source: Tape Daily