Nuts are loaded with health benefits. Besides being high in anti-oxidants and minerals such as copper and magnesium, nuts contain the healthy Omega-3 fats that can help lower bad cholesterol levels. Sure nuts are calorie-laden, but studies show that when taken in moderation, eating nuts can actually help with weight control. http://www.gourmetrecipe.com http://www.gourmandia.ca http://www.gourmetrecipe.com/recipes/ingredients/nuts

1. Nuts
Ever wonder where the saying “Are you nuts?!” originated? Or why is that word
often connected to being a fool or losing one’s mind? Well, if you love the flavor,
texture and nutritive value of these protein rich morsels brimming with nature’s
goodness, then you’ll agree that it’s easy to fall in love with (or get crazy over)
their great taste. Perhaps their hardness could also be linked to the saying as
being nutty is also related sometimes to stubbornness.
In culinary terminology, the definition is not as restrictive as in the botanical
definition which classify that nuts come from a specific part of a plant that
becomes very hard at their mature state. In cooking, pretty much any seed or
large oily kernel enclosed in a shell may be considered a nut.
Due to their generally high unsaturated (good) fat and protein content, these are
highly regarded as an excellent energy source. Health buffs snack on handfuls of
them or as part of a trail mix with dried fruit rather than opening a bag of chips.
The good fat they contain has been linked to a lower incidence of cardiovascular
problems. Their generally low-glycemic quality also makes it a good food for
diabetics.
Though considered as a healthy food group, nuts should still be consumed in
moderation as these still are high in calories and excessive consumption can result

2. in weight gain and elevated uric acid levels which can result in gout. Combine
their consumption with a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, carbohydrate
and protein. Care should be taken as well if you have allergies towards them and
the wide variety of foods they are found in. Read food packaging which indicates
if the items are made in a facility that processes nuts.
Vegetarians and vegans, particularly raw foodists, recommend that certain raw
nuts (usually those with a brown skin or peel) be soaked, drained and dehydrated
prior to consumption to remove mildly toxic enzyme inhibitors found in the peel.
Roasting as well as other forms of heating should be avoided to maximize the
nutrients.
Almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashew, macadamias and pistachios are only a few
among the most popular nuts consumed in many parts of the world. These and
others can be incorporated into countless dishes like soups, salads, main courses,
desserts and drinks. Milk can even be made from almonds and cashew and
replace animal sources of this high-protein beverage.

3. Soft Cake with Walnuts
Soft cake is a sponge cake made from flour, sugar, baking powder and eggs and is
lighter than the traditional cake. The only fat used in making sponge cake is egg
yolk; however the egg white and egg yolks are added separately to the batter.
Sponge cake is many times used as a base for other types of cakes and desserts.
Servings: 8
Preparation Time: 35 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Recommended Wine: Arbois vin de Paille
Ingredients:
3 ½ tablespoons flour, 6 tablespoons butter, 6 tablespoons sugar, 3 egg yolks, 5 ¼
oz. (about 2/3 cup) chopped walnuts, 15 egg whites, 1.76 oz. dark chocolate, 0.7
oz. (about 1 ½ tablespoons) cream
Preparation Instructions:
Mix the egg yolk with sugar and molten butter. Add flour and chopped walnuts.
Beat the egg whites and add them to the sugar mixture. Place the mixture in a
buttered and floured sponge cake mold. Bake in a 338 degree F. oven for 40
minutes. Cool. Boil the cream. Add chocolate and simmer.

4. Asparagus and Pine Nuts
This Asian-inspired dish combines asparagus with pine nuts, chile, soy sauce, and
sesame oil. Serve it as a side dish alongside fish or meat.
Servings: 6
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ingredients:
2 ½ lbs. fresh asparagus (trimmed, peeled, cut into thirds, and placed in a bowl of
cold water), 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons pine nuts, 2 green onions
(chopped), 1 to 11/2 teaspoons minced hot green chile, ½ teaspoon salt, ¾
teaspoon granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon soy sauce,
2 tablespoons sesame oil
Preparation Instructions
Drain the asparagus. Pour the oil into a sauté pan and warm over medium heat.
When hot, add the pine nuts. As soon as the nuts are golden, remove them with a
slotted spatula and drain on paper towels. To the pan, add the green onion, chile,
asparagus, 3 tablespoons of water, and the salt. Bring to a simmer. Cover and
cook for about 3 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender but not soft. Add the
sugar, juice, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Mix well. Most of the liquid will boil away.
Add the pine nuts, toss, and serve.

5. Goat Cheese Pie with Lemons and Pine
Nuts
A colorful dish that makes the most of gnocchi's great pairing with cheese, this
simple recipe will soon become a favorite .This fantastic soup is best made with
varieties of squash that have dense, orange flesh, such as butternut or onion
squash. It’s important to use good chicken stock and season the soup well to bring
out the nutty, sweet flavor of the squash. Once you’ve mastered this recipe, you
can take the soup in different ways by adding pearl barley, dried pasta, or some
chopped smoked bacon.
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 60 minutes
Cooking Time: 60 minutes
Recommended Wine: Muffato â
Ingredients:
Fresh mint For the sugared dough: 1/2 lb. butter, 1 oz. honey, 2 1/2 oz. sugar,
0.88 lbs. flour, 1 oz. egg yolk, a pinch of vanillin, a pinch of salt, 1 lemon pulp For
the base: 1/2 lb. cheese (50% goat cheese), 3 1/2 oz. eggs, 1 vanilla pod, 1.8 oz.

6. sugar, 1 lemon pulp For the sauce: 0.44 lbs. wild strawberries, 1 1/2 oz. sugar,
glass of water For the garnish: 1 1/2 oz. pine nuts, currants
Preparation Instructions:
Cut the butter into small pieces. Mix the sugar with the butter and vanilla. Add an
egg, honey, salt, and grated lemon pulp. Add flour, until you have a dough ball.
Cut the dough into three thick slices. Lay the slices on a floured table and roll
them out. Butter cake forms and place the dough slices inside. Bake in a 330
degree F oven. Allow to cool. Place all the ingredients for the sauce into a mixer.
Reduce and refrigerate. Cut the vanilla pods and remove the grains. Mix the
cream cheese, eggs, vanilla pods, sugar, and lemon. Garnish with the goat cheese
cream. Sprinkle the surface with pine nuts and sugar. Pour the prepared sauce
over this and place in a 350 degree F oven.
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