Baking with American-grown nuts and seeds is a delicious and nutritious way to add flavor and texture to your baked goods. These ingredients are packed with healthy fats, protein, and fiber, making them a great addition to any recipe.
One of the most popular nuts in American baking is the pecan. Pecans are native to the Southern United States and are a staple in many classic American desserts, such as pecan pie and pecan-studded cakes and cookies. They are also a great addition to breads, muffins, and granolas. Pecans are high in monounsaturated fats, which can help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Another popular nut in American baking is the almond. Almonds are known for their rich, nutty flavor and are often used in baking as a substitute for wheat flour. They can be used to make almond flour, which is a great gluten-free alternative to wheat flour. Almonds are also high in vitamin E, which is an important antioxidant that helps to protect the body from free radicals.
Pumpkin seeds are another nutritious ingredient that can be used in baking. These seeds are high in protein and healthy fats and are a great source of zinc and iron. They can be used to make pumpkin seed flour, which can be used as a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour. Pumpkin seeds can also be added to breads, muffins, and granolas for a crunchy texture and a boost of nutrition.
Sunflower seeds are another great ingredient to use in baking. They are high in protein and healthy fats, and are a great source of vitamin E and magnesium. They can be used to make sunflower seed flour, which can be used as a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour. Sunflower seeds can also be added to breads, muffins, and granolas for a crunchy texture and a boost of nutrition.
Incorporating these American-grown nuts and seeds into your baking can be as simple as adding them to your favorite recipe. For example, you can add chopped pecans or almonds to your pancake or waffle batter, or toss a handful of pumpkin seeds into your next batch of granola. You can also use nut and seed flours as a replacement for some or all of the wheat flour in your recipes.
One recipe that is perfect to try with American-grown nuts and seeds is a Pecan and Almond Crisp. This recipe is easy to make and is a delicious way to incorporate these nutritious ingredients into your baking.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 cup almonds, chopped
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, pecans, almonds, and brown sugar. Mix well.
- Add the butter and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and mix until the butter is well incorporated and the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Press the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
This Pecan and Almond crisp recipe is a perfect example of how easy it is to incorporate American-grown nuts and seeds into your baking. The pecans and almonds add a delicious nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
Another recipe to try is a Pumpkin Seed and Sunflower Seed Loaf. This recipe is perfect for breakfast or a snack and is a great way to incorporate these nutritious ingredients into your baking.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a loaf pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, vegetable oil, and eggs.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it and placing it on a wire rack to cool completely.
Another recipe to try is a Almond and Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies. This recipe is perfect for a sweet treat and is a great way to incorporate these nutritious ingredients into your baking.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 cup almonds, chopped
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Slowly mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Stir in the pecans, almonds, and chocolate chips.
- Using a cookie scoop, drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
As you can see, incorporating American-grown nuts and seeds into your baking is easy and delicious. These ingredients add flavor, texture, and nutrition to your baked goods. You can experiment with different nuts and seeds, and try using nut and seed flours as a replacement for some or all of the wheat flour in your recipes. Overall, baking with American-grown nuts and seeds is a great way to support local farmers and add a nutritious twist to your favorite recipes.
Another recipe that is perfect for incorporating American-grown nuts and seeds is a Trail Mix Granola. This recipe is a great way to add a boost of nutrition to your breakfast or a snack, and is perfect for taking with you on the go.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup mixed nuts (such as almonds, pecans, and walnuts), chopped
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup dried fruit (such as raisins, cranberries, and apricots), chopped
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, mixed nuts, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.
- In a small saucepan, heat the honey, maple syrup, and coconut oil over medium heat until the coconut oil is melted. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
- Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is well coated.
- Spread the mixture out on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Remove the granola from the oven and let it cool completely.
- Once cooled, stir in the dried fruit.
- Store the granola in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Another recipe that is perfect for incorporating American-grown nuts and seeds is a Nut and Seed Crusted Chicken. This recipe is a great way to add flavor and nutrition to your dinner, and is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mixed nuts (such as almonds, pecans, and walnuts), chopped
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp milk
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, pulse the nuts, seeds, breadcrumbs, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk.
- Dip each chicken breast into the egg mixture, then press into the nut and seed mixture to coat.
- Place the chicken on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the crust is golden brown.
As you can see, incorporating American-grown nuts and seeds into your cooking is easy and delicious. These ingredients add flavor, texture, and nutrition to your meals. You can experiment with different nuts and seeds, and try using nut and seed flours as a replacement for some or all of the wheat flour in your recipes. Overall, cooking with American-grown nuts and seeds is a great way to support local farmers and add a nutritious twist to your favorite recipes.
Another recipe idea for incorporating American-grown nuts and seeds is a Nut and Seed Power Bars. These bars are perfect for a healthy snack on the go, and are a great way to add a boost of energy and nutrition to your day.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup mixed nuts (such as almonds, pecans, and walnuts), chopped
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
Directions:
- Line a 9×9 inch square pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, mixed nuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds.
- In a small saucepan, heat the honey and peanut butter over medium heat until well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
- Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is well combined.
- Press the mixture into the prepared pan and press it down firmly to compact it.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set.
- Once set, remove from pan and cut into bars.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Another recipe idea is a Nut and Seed Crusted Fish. This recipe is perfect for incorporating American-grown nuts and seeds into your dinner and is a great way to add flavor and nutrition to your fish.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mixed nuts (such as almonds, pecans, and walnuts), chopped
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 fish fillets (such as salmon or tilapia)
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp milk
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, pulse the nuts, seeds, breadcrumbs, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk.
- Dip each fish fillet into the egg mixture, then press into the nut and seed mixture to coat.
- Place the fish on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and the crust is golden brown.
Finally, a Nut and Seed Pesto is a delicious way to incorporate American-grown nuts and seeds into your pasta dish. You can use a variety of different nuts and seeds to make this pesto, and it is a great way to add flavor and nutrition to your meal.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup mixed nuts (such as almonds, pecans, and walnuts)
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- In a food processor, pulse the nuts, seeds, garlic, basil, parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Toss the pesto with cooked pasta of your choice.
- Serve the pasta with additional grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves on top.
Incorporating American-grown nuts and seeds into your recipes is a great way to add nutrition and flavor to your meals. Whether you’re making a healthy snack, a flavorful main dish, or a delicious pasta sauce, there are countless ways to use these ingredients to create delicious and nutritious recipes. From simple ingredients like almonds, pecans, and walnuts to more exotic options like pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds, there are endless possibilities for incorporating these nutritious ingredients into your cooking. So, next time you’re in the kitchen, try experimenting with different types of American-grown nuts and seeds to see how you can add a boost of nutrition and flavor to your recipes.