NUTS ABOUT NUTS

Get Some GREAT Recipes Using PEANUTS and PEANUT BUTTER Here!

Shelling Brazil Nuts -- When you are faced with tough nuts to crack, like Brazil nuts, keep them in the freezer and you will have an easier time.
Shelling Walnuts -- Let them soak overnight in salted water. Next morning, get out the nutcracker. The walnuts will open more easily and without crumbling.

Shelling Pecans -- Soaking pecans in just-boiled water for about 10 minutes makes shelling a cinch.
Since PECANS have the highest FAT content in the nut family, they can become rancid if stored improperly. Shelled pecans will last for 4 months in the fridge or can be frozen for up to 8 months.

Skinning Almonds -- Put shelled almonds in a strainer and plunk the strainer in a pot of just-boiled water. After 1 to 2 minutes, take the almonds out of the water, let them cool off, and pinch the lower portion of each almond. The nut should slip right out of its skin. 5 ounces of shelled almonds will yield 1 cup of slivered almonds.

Get over 50 Recipes here using ALMONDS

   Chopping Nuts -- Put them in a plastic bag and roll them with a rolling pin to the desired fineness. Nothing to clean up either! In most cases, 4 ounces nut meats will yield about 1 cup chopped.

Chopping Nuts Hint -- If you chop nuts in a blender or food processor, add 1 tablespoon of sugar to keep the nuts from sticking together during chopping.

Nuttier' Nuts -- Toasting nuts before adding them to cakes, cookies, muffins, breads or cake batters improves their flavor.
Spread nuts on an ungreased baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350° oven for about 10 minutes, shaking pan frequently. Be careful, they burn easily.

CASHEWS -- Cashews can become rancid very quickly because of their high fat content. To prolong their freshness, keep cashews tightly wrapped in the fridge. They will last up to 2 months.
Costly Pine Nuts -- Flavorful pine nuts are one of the most expensive varieties of nut. You can easily substitute minced pecans or walnuts to save money and still maintain the tasty crunch of any dish that requires pine nuts.

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