Blanched and chopped pistachios
To blanch the pistachios, remove the shells, place pistachios in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and drain immediately. Place hot pistachios on a towel, fold the towel over to cover the pistachios, and rub to loosen the skins. Remove the skin and chop them finely or coarsely as per the recipe.
Blanched and sliced pistachios
To blanch the pistachios, remove the shells, place pistachios in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and drain immediately. Place hot pistachios on a towel, fold the towel over to cover the pistachios, and rub to loosen the skins. Remove the skin. Blanched pistachios can be sliced using a sharp knife. Slice by cutting vertically across the cutting board. Slice it thinly or thickly, as desired. It is best used for garnishing sweet dishes or any vegetable/rice preparation.
Blanched pistachios
To blanch the pistachios, remove the shells, place pistachios in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and drain immediately. Place hot pistachios on a towel, fold the towel over to cover the pistachios, and rub to loosen the skins. Remove the skin.
· Pistachios are not just enjoyed as a snack food; they are also used in baking and cooking.
· Their unique texture and coloring makes them a popular addition to salads and appetizers.
· They are also a frequent addition to entrees and desserts.
· To reduce the sodium and fat content of your diet, avoid salted, oil-roasted pistachio nuts.
· Let these nuts form part of a healthy, balanced diet: sprinkle the pistachios on yoghurt, hot or cold cereal, or in cream cheese spreads for sandwiches and crackers. Add chopped pistachios to your favourite bread, pancake, waffle or muffin recipe or snack on them between meals.
How to store pistachios, pista
Since the shell splits upon ripening to expose the nutmeat, pistachios have a limited shelf life. Store pistachios in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Unshelled nuts can be stored for 3 months in the refrigerator or up to 1 year in the freezer. Shelled pistachios can be stored in the refrigerator up to 3 months, but are not a good candidate for freezing. Fresh pistachios have a nice crunch, so keep them away from absorbing moisture from the air to maintain their freshness.
Health benefits of pistachios, pista
Pistachios are rich in
potassium (helps regulate the body's fluid balance),
phosphorus (helps build bones and teeth) and
magnesium (important element in the conversion of the body's energy), and are also a good source of
vitamin B6 (aids protein metabolism and absorption) and
thiamine (enhances energy and promotes normal appetite). These nuts are also a very good source of
protein and keep you full for long time. Like walnuts and almonds, pistachios can also cut heart disease risk. Its high monounsaturated fat content may actually
lower cholesterol levels in the blood. However pistachios are often sold in salted form. Beware of this as the high sodium level will then negate the potassium content it possesses. The
copper,
zinc and magnesium in pistachios help to strengthen the immune system, helping us stay fit.