I am nutz about nuts. Have always LOVED raw almonds, I grew up with parents who LOVED pistachio ice-cream and I could’ve eaten a bag of honey-roasted peanuts any day of the week.
In college, my neighbor generously offered his Costco-size container of honey-roasted peanuts and it was then that I realized that I had a huge allergy to peanuts! I think my stomach hurt for weeks after and my roommate, Julie had to hold her nose every time she walked in!
Many people have allerges to peanuts- from mild stomach reactions to serious anaphylactic shock (hence why schools have become nut-free). I do love peanuts, but after that experience, I just couldnt bare eating them anymore. I always wondered my stomach felt funny every time after I ate them..
While I was going to Integrative Nutrition, I went to this raw chocolate party with David Wolfe (the guru behind the raw food industry) and someone recommended that I order the special “Wild Jungle Peanut Butter” from the Amazon. It apparently doesn’t have aflatoxin, a group of toxins, which is found in commercial peanuts and peanut butter. You can find it at (www.sunfood.com). This peanut butter treated my stomach far better than peanuts or peanut butter but still I opt for my ultimate favorite nut-butter which is the raw almond butter or the macadamia nut butter that I bought in Thailand, or the Roasted Almond Butter that I grind myself at Whole Foods. (Check out the Natural Foods Store near you because they may have a grind-your-own peanut or almond butter station.)
Sunfood.com's Wild Jungle Peanut Butter
In any case, on my way home from work Friday, I passed by the street vendor on 19th and 6th avenue stir-frying his peanuts and the aroma stuck with me the rest of the way home. I just couldnt resist not making my own version as soon as I got home. I had also bought a container of Date Syrup last week at the Natural Foods Store (ingredients: Organic Dates and Water) and was wondering what I was going to make with it, so this was just a perfect treat and recipe of the night.
Organic Date Syrup
DATE GLAZED BRAZIL NUTS:
Ingredients:
– NUTS: (brazil, almond, cashew, walnut, pecan,peanut)
– SWEETNER: (maple syrup, agave, date syrup, raw honey)
– OIL/BINDER: (toasted sesame oil, olive oil,coconut oil, Earth Balance) optional
– COOKING TECHNIQUE: (bake or toast or broil or pan-“fry”)
– OPTIONAL ADD ONS: dash of sea salt, cinnamon, maple sugar, cayenne pepper
Depending on the desired taste will determine what nuts and oil and add-ons you use. If you’re looking for a more toasted-roasted flavor, I would drizzle a little bit of the toasted sesame oil. Coconut Oil may make the snack a little greasy, but it always adds a sweet and nutty flavor. If you’re looking for sweet, I would add some cinnamon and cayenne to bring out the sweetness. Also, depending on how much time you have and your desired taste, the cooking technique will vary. It took me about 3 minutes to “fry” the nuts in the pan, but I’ve also heard baking them in the oven at about 350 degrees will produce perfection.
As usual, since I don’t measure ingredients, I just put a handful of brazil nuts and almonds in a bowl, added some date syrup and mixed. I spread them out on the pan, added a dash of sea salat and Voila! Deliciousness that took 3 minutes to prepare and cook in total, not too much mess and not to mention, satisfied my sweet and crunchy craving perfectly. I also saved 4$, a blood-sugar spike and a paper bag from buying it on the street!
Date-glazed Brazil Nuts!
No need to spend big bucks on those fancy-already-packaged containers and no need to buy the the honey-roasted peanuts on the street (although it’s hard to resist when you walk by the aroma from the street vendor). Make it yourself!
Be Creative. Be Adventurous. Be Well.
