Cashew Recipes

The versatile cashew nuts

Cashew nuts come from cashew trees and are the seed of the fruit from this tree which are produced in South America and is native to Brazil. Coming in variety of forms including sweet and savory, they are popular in many cookery books and a range of recipes for their versatile nature.

Nutrition

With a good amount of protein in the cashew nuts, these are great for helping you feel fuller for longer so make a good and very wholesome snack. The protein in these nuts also helps give you energy, help build muscle and provide you with additional amino acids.

They are high in many vitamins and minerals but also high in fats, so only a few should be eaten at a time. However, they are good for lowering cholesterol so a few cashews a day is still part of the necessary fat that your body needs to survive.

Ways to use cashew nuts in cooking

If you need a bit of inspiration with using cashew nuts in your recipes, you might want to give some of these a go:

Savory

• Prawn and Cashew Nut Stir Fry
• Corn and Cashew Nut Curry
• Chicken Risotto with Cashew Nuts
• Lentil and Cashew Nut Roast
• Cashew Nut Masala Chicken

Sweet

• Caramel Cashew Nut Pudding
• Chocolate Covered Cashews
• Cashew Nut Cookies
• Cashew Nut Crunch Ice Cream
• Cashew Nut Brittle

How to Roast Cashews

Roasting cashews is a great way of adding a little flavor and warmth into those cold winter nights.

You will need:

• 1 lb raw cashew nuts
• Oil
• Salt

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350F. Evenly spread your cashews on  a baking tray.
2. Place the cashews in the oven for 5 minutes and then remove and spread around a little more.
3. Return the cashews to the oven for another 5 minutes, spread around again and then place back in the oven for a further 5 minutes.
4. When they are golden, take the cashews out of the oven, and allow them to cool a little.
5. Finally, use a brush to coat the nuts in oil and sprinkle with salt. Serve when cooled.

Cashew nuts can be roasted, toasted, spiced, buttered, soaked, salted, seasoned and cooked in a variety of ways and in a range of recipes.

A sweet and delicious method is Honey Roasting. You will need:

• 1 lb Cashews
• 2 tablespoons Honey
• 1 1/2 tablespoons real Maple Syrup
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons Sugar

Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with tin foil.

Measure out ingredients and mix maple syrup, honey and butter. Microwave until butter is melted.

Add vanilla, cinnamon and salt to the honey mixture and stir. Place cashews in a bowl, pour honey mixture over the nuts and toss.

When coated spread on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 6 minutes.

Remove from oven, toss again and return to oven for 6 more minutes.

Remove and pour into a clean bowl, toss with the sugar plus a pinch of salt to taste and let cool, stirring occasionally.

Find more cashew recipes on Recipebridge.