Peanuts form one of the staples in the pantry, not often in the limelight, till they show off their potential when it comes to enhancing dishes. Whether for a simple snack or turned into a rich sauce with a crunchy topping, peanuts bring that special flavour and texture, which can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Many of us relate peanuts to our childhood snacks or treats during festivals. But that's about where their versatility in the kitchen ends. If you have ever found yourself wondering how to make the most of this humble nut, get ready to explore. From savoury dishes to sweet desserts, learning how to cook with peanuts will open up an entire world of flavour possibilities for you.
Understanding Peanuts
Peanuts are, in fact, legumes and not nuts; their botanical name is Arachis hypogaea. Peanuts got this name because they resemble peas in a pod. Originating originally in South America, peanuts have gone on to conquer the world for popularity, especially in Asia, Africa, and the United States. They are incredibly dense in protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins like niacin, folate, and vitamin E; thus, they are nutritious and tasty. Peanuts can be eaten raw, roasted, or turned into peanut butter. Being versatile and accessible, peanuts are a simple ingredient not only for homemakers but also for professional cooks.
Types of Peanuts
Being aware of the type gives the cook an assurance of exploring a wider culinary world because each type has its unique value:
Runner peanuts: These types of peanuts are grown principally in the United States. Due to their uniform size, they are very fit for even roasting. As the runner peanuts contain more oil and a smooth texture, they are generally used in peanut butter preparations.
Virginia Peanuts: Extra-large in size, these nuts are usually roasted in-shell and used in gourmet snacks because of their strong flavor and crunchy texture. They are great as a snack or to give any dish the extra crunch it needs.
Spanish Peanuts: Smaller in size with red skins, they contain more oil in them; hence, they are the best for roasting and frying. Commonly, Spanish peanuts are used for peanut candies and peanut oil production.
Valencia Peanuts: Sweet and small, Valencia peanuts typically have three or more kernels per shell. They're often used in boiled peanuts -- a favourite Southern U.S. snack -- or in natural peanut butter because of their sweet taste.
How to Cook with Peanuts
Being one of the versatile nuts, peanuts can be used for sauce and soup preparation to baking various goods and desserts. Below are some of the popular ways of incorporating peanuts into your cooking:
Roasting and Snacking: Roasting is the simplest manner in which to enjoy peanuts. You can roast peanuts in an oven or on the stovetop, with a topping of salt or spice for extra flavour. Roasted peanuts are one of the good snacks or they can top the salads, soups, and desserts.
Peanut Butter: Making your own peanut butter is remarkably easy and very rewarding. All that's needed is to blend roasted peanuts in the food processor until smooth with added salt or sweeteners, such as honey. This homemade peanut butter may then be used as a spread, in smoothies, or as a base in sauces and desserts.
Peanut Sauce: Nutty and rich, this is a staple sauce in Southeast Asian cuisine. It is good both as a dip for spring rolls and as a salad dressing or sauce for grilled meats. This is achieved by blending peanuts or peanut butter with ingredients like soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, and chilli.
Baking with Peanuts: It is always nice to include peanuts in baking; it gives a great texture and flavour. Chopped peanuts can be used in cookies, brownies, and cakes or even as a main ingredient in peanut butter cookies or pies.
Peanut-Crusted Proteins: Peanuts can be crushed to form a crust on chicken, fish, or other types of proteins. Just dip the meat in beaten egg and then gently push it into crushed peanuts mixed with spices, then bake or fry. This adds a great deal of crunch to your dish with an added nutty flavour.
Stirred curries with peanuts: Peanuts help thicken and flavour the curries. They may be added into the sauce as well either as ground or as peanut butter. This gives a thick, rich, creamy texture and deep nutty flavour.
Peanuts are rather more than a snack; they can add versatility to various dishes. Due to the varied types of peanuts available to you and various methods of cooking with them, it would be quite easy to implement this legume into your kitchen experiments.