Ultra celebrates this Diwali with healthy recipes using nuts

Diwali gift boxes often include nuts and dry fruits. Filled with abundant goodness to boost skin, hair and overall health, nuts make great treats and snacks. Ultra explores the goodness of various nuts and shares a few recipes to make snacking more interesting this festive season.

Winter months are a great time to snack on nuts. As they are rich sources of fat, they keep you filled for longer giving you a slow release of energy. Moreover, they are packed with abundant health benefits.

Honey Roasted Almonds:

Almonds have been traditionally used to boost skin and hair health. A key ingredient in hair and skincare products, almonds are packed with Vitamin E and help protect the collagen of skin.

They are also a healthy source of monounsaturated fat, good source of copper, magnesium, manganese and B vitamins.

2 Cups almonds
¼ Cup honey
¼ Cup white sugar
½ Tsp salt
3 Tbsp water
1 Tsp oil

METHOD

1. Spread the almonds on a baking tray and bake at 180 degrees for 15 minutes
2. Make a caramel with honey, water and oil. Add the almonds when the mixture boils and simmer till the almonds have absorbed the liquid and are dry and sticky.
3. Mix the sugar and salt and sprinkle half the mixture on the same parchment lined baking tray.
4. Spread the almond mixture evenly on the sugar and salt so the base of the almonds is coated. Now sprinkle the rest of the mixture on top of the almonds and set to dry.
5. You could sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top to add a twist.

Pistachio and Cranberry Biscotti

Pistachios are a great source of protein, vitamin B6, Thiamine, antioxidants and reduce metabolic health issues.

85 Grams butter (at room temperature)
150 Grams castor sugar
2 Eggs (at room temperature)
2 Cups or 250 grams Flour
1 Tsp vanilla paste or essence
1 Tsp baking powder
½ cup cranberries (dried or fresh)
½ cup pistachios (shelled and chopped)

METHOD

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees
2. Cream the butter and sugar until smooth and well combined. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well.
3. In a sieve, add the flour and baking powder and sift it into the wet ingredients. Gently fold while adding the chopped pistachios and cranberries.
4. Roll out evenly into a rectangle of ½ inch thickness over a parchment. Gently transfer it onto a baking tray and bake for 20 mins. Remove from the oven and while still hot, cut them into 1-inch strips using a sharp knife.
5. Turn the biscotti every 10 mins till all sides are baked.
6. Optional: You could dip the biscotti in hot chocolate fudge sauce on one side or sprinkle a teaspoon of rosewater and garnish with dried rose petals for a variation.

Soy/Tamari Cashews

Cahews are a rich source of magnesium, phosphorous, zinc, manganese, Vitamins B6 and K. They are an excellent source of dietary fibre and regular consumption would improve gut health.

2 Cups whole raw cashews
2 Tbsp light soy sauce or tamari (gluten-free soy sauce)
2 Tsp mixed white and black sesame seeds

METHOD

1. In a jar, combine the cashews and soy and set aside for an hour
2. Strain the nuts to remove the soy sauce.
3. Spread on a parchment lined baking tray, sprinkle with the sesame seeds and bake in a pre-heated oven at 180 degrees for 10 to 12 mins
4. Serve when cooled down or store in an airtight container.

Peanut Brittle

Peanuts are powerhouses of nutrition. Rich in folate, thiamin, riboflavin, selenium, zinc, copper and manganese; they also contain vitamins B6 and E.

Niacin is essential for signaling DNA repair. Selenium and zinc boost the immune system, protect mental health and prevent certain types of cancer. Copper with iron enables the body to form red blood cells and helps prevent cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis.

2 Cups peanuts
½ Cup water
2 Cups sugar

METHOD

1. In the Ultra pressure pan, on a medium flame add the sugar, salt and water. Do not stir till the sugar starts to caramalise. This will take up to 4 minutes.
2. Stir and let the caramel thicken for about 10 minutes.
3. When the caramel is thick and rich in colour, add the peanuts, stir and quickly transfer to a parchment lined baking tray.
4. Allow to cool completely and break into bits and store in an airtight container.

Salted Dark Chocolate and Macadamia Nut Fudge

Macadamia nuts aid in heart, bone and brain health. They improve skin elasticity and are rich in Vitamin A and E.

Niacin is essential for signaling DNA repair. Selenium and zinc boost the immune system, protect mental health and prevent certain types of cancer. Copper with iron enables the body to form red blood cells and helps prevent cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis.

300 Gms 80% Dark homemade chocolate (roughly chopped)
15 Gms butter
1 Can condensed milk
½ Tsp sea salt
1 Cup macadamia nuts (chopped)

METHOD

1. In the Ultra pressure pan, combine the condensed milk and butter and bring to a boil.
2. Add the chopped chocolate, salt and combine well.
3. Stir in the nuts.
4. Transfer to a lightly greased, parchment place in a deep-dish baking tray.
5. Allow to cool in the fridge overnight
6. Cut into squares and store