Hazelnuts have a long history around the world. The Chinese were the first to cultivate this nut some 5000 years ago but there has been evidence found in Scotland that dates to some 7000 years ago. The Filbert, another name for hazelnuts, they are known to be native to Asia Minor but today Turkey is the leading producer. Over the centuries these nuts were carried by tradesmen to many parts of Europe including Italy, Greece, Spain and several other countries.
Hazelnuts are grown for many different uses from eating to aromatherapy. One familiar use is within the making of praline candy. Another use is with the making of chocolates and especially with chocolate truffles. Many use the hazelnut to make nut butter by simply toasting the nut on a cookie sheet. Once toasted one would then run them through a food processor to achieve a fine smooth paste much like peanut butter. A famous paste type product made from hazelnuts is Nutella, a chocolate spread that is enjoyed on crepes and many other pastries of the type.
Other fine ways to incorporate this nut into daily cooking include finely chopping them and then using for a crust over poultry or fish. Many times these nuts are used in sauces and cooking to give a unique and light overall flavor to a boring dish. By adding them to any batter or dough one can enjoy them in pancakes, cookies, breads and other fine baked goods. Many enjoy hazelnut flavor within their coffee and coffee creamers and some are now trying this liquid flavoring in hot chocolates as well. One can also appreciate hazelnuts by adding them into hot or cold cereals. Many of these examples are easy to prepare and for anyone on the go in this busy world we live in. Whether looking in for a great way to prepare this nutritional nut, might it be looking in for the benefits of Hazelnuts, one should take a look at their local book store or any other health food store nationwide.
Hazelnut oil cannot be used at a high temperature. If used in this manner it will cause the oil to smoke very easily and diminish its unique overall flavor. A little bit of hazelnut oil will go a long way, so the cost factors associated with this oil will be beneficial not just in price but in its taste. Many times, due to its heat sensitivity, some use this oil to grease a pan or brush over baked goods instead of adding it within an ingredient. In this manner the flavor of the hazelnut itself adds a light unique dimension to baking without the risk of the heat destroying the overall outcome. Adding a small amount to certain soups can also be a great way to enhance a side dish. Try to dribble a small amount into pumpkin soup and see what you think!
Some like to remove the brown skin of the nut to give it a full flavor. This is especially true with using them for confections and candy. Some say the skin gives off a bitter taste. This noted bitter taste is not extreme and is unlike the walnut bitterness so many experience with that particular nut.
If wanting to remove the skins of a hazelnut, toast them on a cookie sheet for only a few minutes within the oven. Wet a hand towel and remove toasted nuts from oven and place inside the towel. Roll towel up and let them sit for just a few minutes allowing them to steam lightly within the wet towel. After sitting for a short time, roll towel back and forth with palms of hands and this should remove a major portion of the skins there.
Using hazelnuts in pesto is another unique way to give this dish a flavorful and tempting taste. Trading the pine nuts in pesto for hazelnuts of equal weight can give a unique flavor twist to a normal Italian dish. Around the world the hazelnut is used for many things including in Austria hazelnuts are used in tortes. In France the nut is used for producing meringue for cakes, pies and other pastries.
The French also use this meringue in a dessert cake called Dacquoise. In Kiev, a Russian dessert, there is a unique hazelnut flour used. Other Georgian region foods used with these nuts are Churchkhlea and Satsivi which is made with walnuts as well as hazelnuts. There are also many types of liquor based with the hazelnut including one of the more famous one Frangelico. There simply are so many unique dishes and ways of serving this nut. From eating, spreading, toasting and flavoring it is nearly endless what can be done with them.
Try your hand at what you can do with these great nuts and enjoy the benefits of hazelnuts for a multitude of reasons.
Joan Howard is writing a diet book for nutlovers.
Hazelnuts are grown for many different uses from eating to aromatherapy. One familiar use is within the making of praline candy. Another use is with the making of chocolates and especially with chocolate truffles. Many use the hazelnut to make nut butter by simply toasting the nut on a cookie sheet. Once toasted one would then run them through a food processor to achieve a fine smooth paste much like peanut butter. A famous paste type product made from hazelnuts is Nutella, a chocolate spread that is enjoyed on crepes and many other pastries of the type.
Other fine ways to incorporate this nut into daily cooking include finely chopping them and then using for a crust over poultry or fish. Many times these nuts are used in sauces and cooking to give a unique and light overall flavor to a boring dish. By adding them to any batter or dough one can enjoy them in pancakes, cookies, breads and other fine baked goods. Many enjoy hazelnut flavor within their coffee and coffee creamers and some are now trying this liquid flavoring in hot chocolates as well. One can also appreciate hazelnuts by adding them into hot or cold cereals. Many of these examples are easy to prepare and for anyone on the go in this busy world we live in. Whether looking in for a great way to prepare this nutritional nut, might it be looking in for the benefits of Hazelnuts, one should take a look at their local book store or any other health food store nationwide.
Hazelnut oil cannot be used at a high temperature. If used in this manner it will cause the oil to smoke very easily and diminish its unique overall flavor. A little bit of hazelnut oil will go a long way, so the cost factors associated with this oil will be beneficial not just in price but in its taste. Many times, due to its heat sensitivity, some use this oil to grease a pan or brush over baked goods instead of adding it within an ingredient. In this manner the flavor of the hazelnut itself adds a light unique dimension to baking without the risk of the heat destroying the overall outcome. Adding a small amount to certain soups can also be a great way to enhance a side dish. Try to dribble a small amount into pumpkin soup and see what you think!
Some like to remove the brown skin of the nut to give it a full flavor. This is especially true with using them for confections and candy. Some say the skin gives off a bitter taste. This noted bitter taste is not extreme and is unlike the walnut bitterness so many experience with that particular nut.
If wanting to remove the skins of a hazelnut, toast them on a cookie sheet for only a few minutes within the oven. Wet a hand towel and remove toasted nuts from oven and place inside the towel. Roll towel up and let them sit for just a few minutes allowing them to steam lightly within the wet towel. After sitting for a short time, roll towel back and forth with palms of hands and this should remove a major portion of the skins there.
Using hazelnuts in pesto is another unique way to give this dish a flavorful and tempting taste. Trading the pine nuts in pesto for hazelnuts of equal weight can give a unique flavor twist to a normal Italian dish. Around the world the hazelnut is used for many things including in Austria hazelnuts are used in tortes. In France the nut is used for producing meringue for cakes, pies and other pastries.
The French also use this meringue in a dessert cake called Dacquoise. In Kiev, a Russian dessert, there is a unique hazelnut flour used. Other Georgian region foods used with these nuts are Churchkhlea and Satsivi which is made with walnuts as well as hazelnuts. There are also many types of liquor based with the hazelnut including one of the more famous one Frangelico. There simply are so many unique dishes and ways of serving this nut. From eating, spreading, toasting and flavoring it is nearly endless what can be done with them.
Try your hand at what you can do with these great nuts and enjoy the benefits of hazelnuts for a multitude of reasons.
Joan Howard is writing a diet book for nutlovers.
