How To Toast Macadamia Nuts

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Macadamia nuts are considered to be one of the premium types of nuts all over the world not only because they are so delicious, but also because of the many health benefits they offer. They are packed with a lot of proteins and fiber, contain good amounts of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, phytochemicals, and monounsaturated fats, all greatly advantageous for human health. Another great thing about macadamia nuts is that they also reduce cholesterol in the body, aiding in the prevention of heart disease. Originally from Australia, the macadamia nut found its way to Hawaii where it is now cultivated and sold all over the world. Because of its wonderful flavor, it is included in numerous recipes including main courses and desserts. Macadamia nuts can also be eaten alone for a flavorful and healthy snack . One way of preparation is by toasting them, either inside their shells so that they become brittle, which makes cracking them open much easier, or unshelled to enjoy their rich taste. Here's to make perfectly toasted Macadamia nuts.

1. Remove the nuts from their shells. If you opt to toast your nuts unshelled, you must first break open their shells to get to the nut. Although it may seem a little complicated at first as you may crack the nut inside as you do so, a little practice will help you get the hang of it. One method is covering up the nut with a towel before proceeding to pound on it with a hammer while set on a hard and smooth surface. You could also make use of a C-clamp to do the job or simply purchase a nut cracker to make things much easier for you. Toasting them while inside their shells, as mentioned earlier, helps in making their shells much less difficult to crack. Once you have removed the nuts, sort them out to check if there are any bad ones, which will no longer be good to consume. Throw those away and prepare your good nuts for toasting.
2. Prepare to toast the nuts. Get yourself a shallow baking pan and proceed to arrange your macadamia nuts on it in one layer. You may also make use of a frying pan set on medium heat to toast your nuts as well. You need not place oil on the pan nor do you need to add any salt as the toasting process will bring out the natural tasty flavor of the nut.
3. Toasting nuts in the oven. If you are making use of your oven to toast your macadamia nuts, you will need to pre-heat it at 325 degrees first. As soon as it is ready, place in your pan of nuts and allow it to stay there for around 5 minutes. You may want to give it a little shake in the middle of the process so that it is cooked evenly and well on all sides. When cooking on a stove top with your frying pan, you can do this as well. To know if your toasted macadamia nuts are ready to eat, check for an even golden brown color on the nuts. You can also tell from the aroma coming from the oven whether they are already toasted to perfection. When done, remove from the oven and transfer to another container to cool them down before eating.

It is also a good idea to toast macadamia nuts right before adding them to any of your other recipes to enhance the flavor even more. Also, remember to toast only those that will be consumed because they do not keep well inside your fridge the way that fresh, uncooked nuts do. Other people are reading here.