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What 100 Calories Really Looks Like: Nuts

Susi May — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:11:04 PDT

Nuts are one of our favorite foods. Convenient for snacking, they're loaded with protein and healthy fats. But nuts are also high in calories (and some more than others), making it necessary to watch portion sizes when noshing on these nuggets of energy. From almonds to walnuts, we've created a visual breakdown of the most popular nuts so you can see just how many it takes to hit the 100-calorie mark.

Walnuts: Our New Favorite Ingredient

Camilla Salem — Thu, 10 May 2012 06:33:09 PDT

Historically, walnuts haven't been an ingredient that comes to mind often when I'm cooking - I typically eat them out of my hand and in banana bread, but that's about it. But recently, I attended a seminar with cooking host Joanne Weir and the California Walnut Board and Commission, where we enjoyed a walnut-centered lunch. From that broadening meal, I learned so many new ways to incorporate the healthy and delicious nut into more recipes. A few of my favorite takeaways:

Add chopped toasted walnuts to homemade aioli: I enjoyed a dish of roasted asparagus, boiled eggs, and homemade toasted walnut allioli (Spanish aioli) that was transformative. The chopped walnuts added great texture and crunch to the dish, and complemented the garlicky sauce perfectly.
Top pizzas with walnuts: The Spanish pizza we enjoyed was topped with walnuts, bringing a delicious crunch and nuttiness to each bite.
Make walnut butter: Walnut butter is straightforward and simple, and would be great atop crostini as an appetizer.
Add them to salsa verde: Toasted walnuts bring an earthy flavor to a bright, zesty sauce such as Italian salsa verde. We enjoyed it topped on crispy roasted salmon.

Find more ideas for walnuts when you keep reading.

Why You Should Toast Your Nuts

Camilla Salem — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:05:41 PST

Love the texture and flavor of nuts? Then take the time to toast them before adding them to dishes. The difference between regular and toasted nuts is noticeable: a short period of high heat will release the oils within the nuts, enhancing the nutty flavor and the crunchy texture.

If you're toasting a small amount of nuts, a cup or so, use a pan on the stove over medium-high heat. There's no need to add oil to the pan, as the nuts have enough themselves. Be sure to stir them around frequently so they don't burn. If you plan to toast up a bunch of nuts, spread them evenly on a baking sheet and roast them at 350° Fahrenheit for about 15 to 20 minutes. Use your toasted nuts however you want, like tossed in a salad, or just enjoy them on their own. What nuts do you toast?

Source: Flickr User Veganbaking.net

5 Tasty Things to Do With Almonds

Camilla Salem — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:00:17 PST

I have a newfound appreciation for all things almond these days. I really appreciate the texture and the flavor (not to mention the health benefits) that this oblong nut brings to recipes. On its own, it stands out as a superb snack or appetizer, but it can also add some serious crunch factor to seemingly mundane dishes. Here are five ways to eat up the almonds sitting in your pantry.

Toss up raw, unsalted almonds with salt, black pepper, olive oil, and your favorite herbs and spices and roast them at 375° Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes for a savory snack.
Toast almonds in a pan over medium-high heat to get maximum flavor, then add them into any salad.
Keep a bag of sliced almonds in your freezer and add them to your morning oatmeal or sprinkle over pancakes for extra crunch and flavor.
Make your own almond milk, dry the leftover solids, and use them in baked goods!
If you're looking for a truly homemade challenge, grind them into a meal and use them in French macarons.

What's your favorite way to enjoy almonds?

Source: Flickr User mynameisharsha

Know Your Nuts? What's in an Ounce

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:50:45 PST

Nuts are one of the best foods you can nosh on because they're full of healthy fats, contain protein and fiber to fill you up, are cholesterol-free, and they're a great snack you can easily pack with you wherever you go. A serving size of nuts is one ounce, which is about a handful. Considering my handful and my hubby's handful look a lot different, I thought it'd be good to go over what exactly one ounce of nuts looks like. Take this quiz to see if you know.

Question 1 of 5

How many almonds are in one ounce?

Healthy Nibbles For Holiday Snacking

Heather Dale — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:51:37 PST

It's inevitable that the snack table is one of the most popular socializing zones in the house during the holiday season. Due to their close proximity to the television, treat-filled coffee tables are prime targets for unconscious nibbling - and who doesn't like snacking while watching a sporting event or a favorite Christmas movie? This year, try removing the bowls of candies and chocolates and replacing them with healthier snack options. Here are some of my favorites that are just as tasty, and your guests won't even know the difference!

12 Days of Edible Gifts: Spiced Pecans

Nancy Einhart — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:42:41 PST

The adjective "spiced" doesn't do these pecans justice. A mix of sweet, citrus-y, salty, peppery, and aromatic, the flavor that coats every cranny of these pecans perfectly enhances the almost gooey but also crunchy texture. The cozy combo of spices is redolent of Winter and makes a delicious holiday snack for a party spread or just around the house.

These spiced pecans also make an easy but impressive edible gift: cook them up in batches on the stove, then package them in cute cellophane baggies tied with a bow. Get the recipe after the break.

Roast Chestnuts This Holiday Season!

YumSugar — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:16:00 PST

You know how the song goes, "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire . . ." Well, in this case, they're roasting in an oven, but the whole thing's still wonderfully romantic and festive. Grab a bunch of them while you can at the grocery store, because these seasonal treats are fleeting!

If you've never tried a chestnut, be sure to peel away the fuzzy inner skin just below the outer shell. Scoring the chestnuts generously prior to roasting them will make this step a lot easier. The inside of a roasted chestnut is soft, warm, and sweet – exactly what the holidays are all about. For this incredibly easy recipe (so easy, it should be called a technique!), keep reading.

Belly-Blasting Nut Recipes For Dropping Those Pounds

Leta Shy — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 03:59:49 PST

It's official - nuts are nature's miracle. Besides giving you a dose of heart-healthy omega-3s and filling your stomach with energizing protein, eating a handful of nuts every day may help you drop the pounds. A new study found that those who ate an ounce a day of raw unpeeled almonds, walnuts, or hazelnuts a day had higher levels of feel-good hormone serotonin, which can act as an appetite suppressant.

More importantly, since stress is a leading cause of gaining fat around your waist, higher levels of serotonin may help in the fight against belly fat. Go on; get happy with these five raw nut recipes - just don't go overboard, since nuts have a high (healthy) fat content.

Researchers Identify the Top Foods That Are Making Us Fat

Leta Shy — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:18:10 PDT

A new report from Harvard researchers has found the top foods that are making us fat, and the findings are not at all surprising.

The extensive study used data for over 120,000 healthy men and women from previous studies to track their diet every four years from 1986 to 2006 to see how their lifestyle and what they ate affected their weight. The researchers found that within each period the average weight gain was a little over three pounds - which added up to a 17-pound total weight gain over the 20-year period.

What caused that weight gain? Topping the list of culprits are meat, sweetened drinks, fried foods, and any form of potatoes. The biggest cause of weight gain was eating french fries; every extra serving of fries eaten in a day was linked to a gain of more than three pounds, while eating an extra serving of potato chips led to 1.69 pounds. Other diet busters included refined grains (like white rice and white bread) and butter.

But the news wasn't all bad; the study also identified the foods that helped prevent weight gain. Read on for the list of foods that cause and prevent weight gain.