WINTER WARMING WALNUTS
A BUNDLE FULL OF BENEFITS TO EXPLORE AND IMBIBE
Walnuts are one of those varieties of nuts that have been known to us since a very long time and come winter come walnuts used to be the call I heard as I grew up from the elders in the house to the kids all would get going working hard to crack those nuts against all possible options to check what’s in store within and relist the fruit from the bundle of joy and well-being.
Walnuts are known to be an edible seed of a drupe and not a true botanical nut, rounded, single-seeded stoned fruits of the walnut tree used for its inner goodness upon ripening and nutritive consumption, we often refer to them as Persian or English varietals, not to forget they must be processed and stored properly since their poor storage often makes them susceptible to insect and fungal mold infestations, a mold infested walnut batch is to be discarded completely.
From having it as it is in its naturally crunchy texture and dense woody mouthfeel to having it in desserts, coffee walnut brownie, date and walnut pancakes, walnut banana bread, in health bars, in chocolates, milkshakes, smoothies, a few main courses as well walnuts have found their space well enough in our kitchen and bakery since a while now.
Let us have a look at the:
Top 10 Health Benefits of Warming up with Walnuts:
1. Walnuts are considered good for hair, skin, bones and assist in graceful aging.
2. Walnuts are high in anti-oxidants, helps fight stress, are nutritionally dense form of food.
3. Walnuts assist our body in healthy blood formation, lubricates our digestive system.
4. Walnuts are a rich source of Vitamin E and omega 3 fat from plants including walnuts which is called as alpha-linolenic acid [ALA]
5. Walnuts are known to be good for the memory and brain and also improve metabolism.
6. Walnuts also contain Vitamin- B complex, they also strengthen the kidneys and lungs.
7 Walnuts prevent inflammation in the body and prevents constipation and helps digestion in our system.
8.Walnuts help in treatment of type-2 diabetes and also helps in weight loss and management.
9. Walnuts are also called as longevity food, gets us good sleep, and also helps reproductive health in men.
10. Walnuts offer us a balance of all the essential nutrients needed on a daily basis for smooth functioning and also its consumption gives a feeling of satiety and fullness.
Top 10 Culinary Uses of Walnuts:
1. Adding walnuts to health shakes and bars, having them in between the meals during the day, having them in warm milk before sleeping at night, walnut cinnamon cookies & soy walnut biscuits are a good choice as well.
2. Walnuts have been used in making Akhroat ka halwa, sheera, and also used in making various Indian sweet look great as a part of garnish.
3. Using walnuts in salads adding them for that crunch on top is a great option, it also can form the part of the body like in waldorf salad, try adding it to a vinaigrette dressing it works well too, also a little drizzle of walnut oil on a salad can change its entire mouthfeel.
4. Date & walnut muffins, banana flax seed and walnut bread, whole grain pancakes with fruity walnut toppings, walnut and tropical fruit waffles are some of the ways of using it.
5. Walnuts in stir fries, adding them to a filling for pies, crusts, pastries and tarts also works well, it can easily blend itself well be it sweet or savory preparations.
6. Cheese, spinach and walnut tartlets, chicken and walnut pies, walnut and mushroom crepes, soy walnut meatballs, tofu and walnut Asian style stir fry are some of the ways to use walnuts too.
7. Add them for that crunch to a sandwich spread as well with avocado, lime, mint, garlic and olive oil to spread its wholesome nutrition on the bread layering it to be relished.
8. Steamed fish with walnuts dressed in sweet chili sauce wrapped in lettuce leaves, walnut oatmeal idlis, walnut and tahini chutney, walnut butter on crackers with grapes and cheese like a canape concept.
9. Baked berry and walnut bread pudding with custard sauce, walnut parfaits, date and walnut mousse, chick pea walnut falafels in pita pockets, coriander walnut and chili pesto sauce tossed with boiled pasta of your choice and fresh basil, parmesan shavings.
10. Walnut, Celery and Cream Cheese in pastry cases called Vol-Au-Vents, open sandwiches, dips and chutney concepts with walnut and paprika blended with tahini paste and mayonnaise can be offered with grilled and BBQ foods as well.
Here are a few simple and easy to make recipes with Walnuts for all our readers:
