Poor men’s nuts, it may sound funny but for centuries peanuts have been a source of energy and proteins and, of course, are more affordable than its rich cousins like almonds or pistachios.
Delicious and crunchy, peanuts are one of the popular oil seeds known to humankind since centuries. Humble peanuts are enriched with healthy essential nutrients. They are actually legumes, but carry almost all the qualities of other popular edible kernels such as almonds, pistachios etc.
Peanuts are rich in energy (567 calories per 100 gm) and contain healthy nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for optimum health, and it is a good source of dietary protein
Peanuts are said to be first cultivated in central America and spread to other parts of the world through the exploits of the Spanish explorers.
I have not only been fond of peanuts as a snack, but I love peanut butter as well. It’s so delicious, and probably one of the all-time favourites with children when spread over a crisp toast along with tangy and sweet strawberry jam. I remember early morning dose of this high-energy concoction my mother would make us indulge in before we went to school. The choice was banana or PBJ (peanut butter jam) toast, the latter was always prefered without a doubt .
I have discovered a simple mix which is always on my desk, so I can munch whenever I feel hungry. In a jar, just mix one cup of peanuts, chocolate chips, raisins and pumpkin seeds.Try once and I bet you all will be addicted.
Yet another digestive energy recipe involving peanuts is:
● 1 cup peanuts
● 1 cup jaggery
● Salt to taste
● 1 tbsp ajwain
In a pan, melt jaggery and add in rest of the ingredients, and pour in a deep pan and let it cool. Cut into pieces and store in a box. Eat after a meal as it's good for digestion. Today I am sharing a simple recipe to make your own healthy peanut butter and one of my famous cake recipes that uses this home-made peanut butter.
peanut Butter
Ingredients
■ Unsalted roasted peanuts:
2 cups
■ Peanut oil: 2 tbsp
Directions
■ In a food processor mix the peanuts with the peanut oil.
■ Blend until the mixture turns very smooth.
■ Store your smooth peanut butter in a sealed container in the fridge. It will be good for 2 weeks.
■ Alternatively, to make it crunchy use only 1/2 cup and coarsely crush the other 1/2 cup and later mix in the peanut butter.
ingredients
■ Flour: 1 cup
■ Sugar: 1/2 cup
powdered or castor sugar
■ Vanilla essence: 1 tsp
■ Peanut butter: 1/2 cup
■ Eggs: 3
■ Salt: 1 tsp
■ Dark chocolate powder: 1/2 cup
■ Crushed peanuts: 1/2 cup
■ Cognac: 2 tbsp
■ Baking powder: 2tsp
METHOD
■ Pre-heat the oven to 180 degree centigrade.
■ In a pan, mix in egg whites.
■ Beat till fluffy. Add the egg yolks and beat again.
■ Add in castor sugar and blend.
■ Mix in baking powder, salt and chocolate powder.
■ Blend to a smooth paste.
■ Add in flour, blend again.
■ Add cognac and peanut butter and blend to a fine mixture.
■ Remove in a greased baking dish.
■ Mix in the crushed peanuts.
■ Place in the pre-heated oven and bake for 3o minutes or till a fork inserted in the cake comes
out clean.
■ Remove from oven once cooked, and serve hot.