Prime 5 Suggestions for Cooking with Cashews + Cashew Recipes

Questioning concerning the diet advantages of cashews and easy methods to use these nuts within the kitchen? Dive into these prime 5 ideas for cooking with cashews + cashew recipes, together with a traditional cashew cream recipe and a vegan cashew cheese recipe.

What Are Cashews?

Native to Brazil, the cashew was launched to India and Africa by Portuguese explorers within the sixteenth century. Cashews (Anacardium occidentale) are seeds of a tropical evergreen shrub associated to pistachios, mangos, and poison ivy. The cashew tree, from its wooden and bark to its fruit, was extremely prized for its therapeutic properties. In Brazil, cashew nut oil was used to deal with leprosy, whereas in India the cashew was used restoratively, as an appetizer, hair tonic, and aphrodisiac. However it wasn’t till the twentieth century that the cashew nut grew to become a culinary star. It’s now the third most consumed tree nut within the US, and for good purpose. The cashew is a favourite flavor-wise and is often considered a diet star for its punch of protein, heart-healthy fat, nutritional vitamins, and minerals.

Cashew Diet

The cashew seed is hooked up to the underside of its fruit, the cashew apple, which is excessive in vitamin C and highly regarded in tropical areas. The kidney-shaped cashew has two layers of shells, between which is a probably poisonous resin/oil that’s eliminated and used to make many merchandise, together with varnish and insecticide. Only a handful (one-ounce serving) packs a satisfying 10% DV (Each day Worth, based mostly on 2,000 energy per day) of protein and 20% DV of bone wholesome magnesium. In comparison with most nuts, cashews are decrease in fats, however most of their fats is heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

A wealthy supply of each monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, that are related to lowering the danger of coronary heart illness, cashews, when repeatedly substituted for high-carbohydrate snacks, could assist management complete and LDL (“dangerous”) levels of cholesterol (American Journal of Scientific Diet). As a result of these fatty acids, rising analysis is exhibiting that maternal consumption of cashews could lead to higher reflexes and reminiscence of their offspring (Worldwide Journal of Developmental Neuroscience). Excessive in complete phenolic and flavonoid content material, cashews are additionally identified for his or her antioxidant exercise, which has been proven to manage blood glucose and should assist in the remedy of diabetic sufferers (TheScientific World Journal).

Cooking with Cashews

Each uncooked and roasted cashews are broadly accessible in most supermarkets and on-line. When buying from bulk bins, make certain the container is nicely sealed and the nuts are moisture-free and easy, not shriveled. A fast sniff for rancidity is sensible as nicely. For longer freshness, select vacuum-packed cans or jars over sealed plastic baggage. Retailer brief time period in a cool, dry place, or refrigerate or freeze as much as six months or a yr, respectively.

One other nice side of cashews is their performance and flexibility in plant-based consuming. Cashews are important in a plant-powered kitchen, as a result of they are often whipped into creamy dairy replacements, in addition to toasted into quite a lot of dishes that match into each meal and class!

Prime 5 Suggestions for Cooking with Cashews

1. Mix up a Cashew Cream Recipe

This versatile addition to your plant-based cooking routine simply can’t be beat. Simply soak uncooked cashews, mix with plant-based milk and lemon juice, and voila—you’ve got a wealthy, velvety creamy substitute for bitter cream, cream cheese, or whipped cream to make use of in savory and candy recipes. Cashew cream might be added to savory dishes, resembling lasagna, sauces, tacos, and salads, in addition to desserts like puddings, tarts, and muffins. Discover ways to make cashew cream on this step-by-step information.

2. Whip up a Cashew Cheese Recipe 

An excellent addition to a number of recipes, from pasta to soups to casseroles, Cashew Parmesan is an excellent straightforward ingredient to retailer in a shakeable jar. This cashew cheese recipe has solely three substances (cashews, dietary yeast, and salt) and takes only some minutes to arrange in a small blender. Better of all, cashew Parmesan has the umami style of, so you may sprinkle it on something, from spaghetti to pizza. And don’t cease there! You may make a creamy cashew cheese too with related substances—good in your vegan cheese trays.

3. Add to your Stir-Fry or Curry Dish

Cashews are generally utilized in international cuisines and might be blended right into a curry or added on to a stir-fry for a nutty, savory taste. Attempt roasting them beforehand for a crispier texture and nuttier style. Prime this stir-fry, chickpea curry, or grain bowl with cashews for starters.

4. Make a Glass of Cashew Milk

Trying to make your individual creamy home made plant milk? Attempt cashews! Simply soak cashews in a single day, mix them with contemporary water, and pressure! You’ll get a creamy, tasty beverage that’s good for espresso or cereal, or you need to use cashew milk to make this natural Lavender Chai Latte.

5. Make Up a Path Combine

Heading out on a hike or taking a protracted highway journey? Attempt making your individual path combine with roasted cashews, dried fruit, and different nuts, like almonds and peanuts. You can even add home made granola for a style of sweetness—this granola recipe has a scrumptious mix of pumpkin seeds, coconut, raisins, hazelnuts, blueberries, and lavender that will fit your cashew path combine mix. 

Wholesome Cashew Recipes

Written by Lori Zanteson with Sharon Palmer

For different guides on easy methods to use plant meals, take a look at the next:

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