Pistachio nuts are packed with nutrients and they are also known to have antioxidant properties. For this reason, many people who are conscious about their food intake prefer munching on pistachios. Others include it in the food they prepare because of the earthy flavour and nutty aroma it adds to the dish.
Depending on what the recipe calls for, the pistachio nuts can either be added as a whole, grained, powdered, or slivered. Whole nuts are often included in salads, while grained nuts are infused in pasta recipes. On the other hand, powdered nuts are perfect for baking pastries and cakes, while slivered pistachio nuts are often used as a topping to various dishes, even on ice cream and gelato. But aside from garnishing, below are some delightful recipes that are made complete with flaked pistachio nuts.
Roasted Delicata Squash
Delicata squash is a variety that is abundant during the late summer and early fall. It is quite small, with skin that is thinner than butternut squash and colour that resembles that of sweet potato. Roasted delicata squash is so easy to make, you just need to pop the whole vegetable in your oven for roasting. Once it is done, scoop out its flesh and mix it with salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and of course, a generous amount of pistachio nuts which are slivered. The chewiness of the pistachios will definitely add texture to the soft squash.
Wild Rice Salad
Another dish that is perfectly complemented with pistachio nuts is wild rice salad. This recipe calls for a mix of cooked wild rice and brown rice, together with baked green beans and sauteed mushrooms. Add to this some dried berries and the secret ingredient, which is your pistachios. You can already enjoy this salad as is but it will even be more delectable with a vinaigrette made from olive oil, red wine, mustard, and a bit of pistachio paste.
Glazed Fresh Fruits
If you have a sweet tooth, then you will love glazed fresh fruits and perhaps, it can even be one of the best desserts you ever had. The best thing about this is that you can even make use of any fruit that is in season. Slice them up and arrange the fruits nicely in a platter. For the glaze, simply saute some slivered pistachios in butter and brown sugar until all the nuts are glazed. Put the sweetened pistachios on top of the fresh fruits and you have a perfect dessert.
To wrap things up, add magic to your dishes with a touch of pistachios. Roasted delicata squash, wild rice salad, as well as glazed fresh fruits are only some of the recipes made special because of the earthy and buttery pistachio flavour. Since pistachios are meaty and a little chewy, they are also best stirred in pasta dishes, or complement other hot dishes that pose a strong flavour like those made with sausages. For sure, the recipe possibilities are limitless and there are so much more that you can make with these green nuts.