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Hazel Nuts as “Water Chestnuts” - Well why not give it a go?

Hazel Nuts as “Water Chestnuts”

We have a large Hazel bust nearby and on Squirrels to pinch them, so at this time of year we have quite a good supply of very big nuts. They are the size of a small Conker this year. Apparently nuts have a demographic status in Chinese Cuisine….”Peanuts = Everyman - Hazel Nuts = Middle class and thriving - Walnuts = Elite and above”. So with the idea of using Hazel Nuts as a local and free alternative to Water Chestnuts we set about pottering yesterday.

Ingredients:-

A large bowl of foraged Hazel Nuts
A hammer or Nut cracker (I used a hammer on the kitchen floor!!!!)
Bicarbonate of Soda.

Method:-

(1) Preheat the oven to 250c.
(2) Lay the nuts on an oven proof tray in a single layer.
(3) Place in the oven for 20 minutes. Those which explode are the ones with no actual nut inside. Which saves you smacking them later!
(4) Remove the tray and cool enough to be able to handle the roasted nuts.
(5) Crack open and remove the roasted nuts and bin the shells.
(6) Boil a small pan of water with 2 table spoon of Bicarbonate of Soda and simmer the nuts for 10 minutes. Interestingly the water turns a dark purple…..
(7) Drain and cool.
(8) Once cool enough to handle the brown coating will rub away with ease.

Your roasted and cleaned nuts are now good to add at the beginning of a Chinese style stir-fry just after the Onions and Garlic. You can then set them aside and re-add at the end. They really do add a great flavour and crunchy texture.

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Kung Pao Shrimps recipe, eat well on universal credit

Yes – Yes it’s yet another Asian recipe. We’re with sight of our target of “100 Asian recipes” now. We’ll probably be moaning that British food is boring before you know it…..

Ingredients:-

12 King Prawns
½ A Red Pepper
½ A Green Pepper
3 Cloves of Garlic, minced
1 Tbsp of minced fresh Ginger
2 Tbsp of Peanuts
1 Onion, diced
3 Tbsp of Honey
4 Tbsp of Soy Sauce (Gluten free here)
¼ Tsp of Szechaun Pepper Corns
½ Tsp of Salt
2 Tsp of Cornflour
3 Tbsp of Rice Wine Vinegar
2 Tsp of Sesame Oil
1 Tbsp of Oil
8 Dried Chillies
5 Tbsp of Water
2 Spring Onions, White part chopped, Greens sliced
1 Egg White
¼ Tsp of White Pepper

Method:-

(1) Season the Prawns with Salt and Pepper.
(2) Coat with Egg White then coat in Cornflour.
(3) Fry until pink and then set aside.
(4) Heat the Oil in a Wok and toast the Szechaun Pepper Corns over a low heat for 2 minutes.
(5) Discard the Pepper Corns.
(6) Saute the Garlic, Ginger, Dried Chillies and the white part of the Spring Onions until aromatic.
(7) Add the Onions and gently fry until translucent.
(8) Add the Peppers and continue to stir-fry for a further minute.
(9) Add the Kung Pao Sauce which consists of Soy Sauce, Rice Wine Vinegar, Sesame Oil, Honey and White Pepper.
(10) Mix well and allow to simmer for 2 minutes.
(11) Mix the Cornflour and water in a cup.
(12) Add the Prawns to the Sauce then add the Cornflour and water mixture.
(13) Stir gently until the sauce thickens.
(14) Add some of the greens from the Spring Onions and some of the Peanuts.

We served ours on a bed of boiled Rice, dressed with the remaining Spring Onions and Peanuts. With the addition of a few Prawn Crackers this was a very tasty quick dish.

 

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