One of the best things about pecans is how incredibly versatile they are. We love them in all sorts of dishes, not to mention on their own as a delicious and nutritious snack. In breads and entrees, appetizer nibbles and sophisticated desserts, you’re always able to find a new way to use pecans in the kitchen.
Toasting
Many recipes start with toasted pecans, a process which brings out the aromas and flavors of the nut. While you can buy them that way, it’s easy to toast your own pecans and the freshness of the flavor is worth the extra effort.
Spread your pecans out on a greased baking tray and put them in the oven at 350° for 5-10 minutes. To add spices, coat the pecans in a mix of melted butter (about a tablespoon per half cup of pecans) and spices before adding, and toast for 20-25 minutes.
If you want less oily pecans, let them cool on paper towels or in a paper bag, then toast again for around ten minutes at 250°. Keep an eye on them to make sure you don’t scorch the delicate exterior.
Baking
Pecans are considered a dry ingredient in baking, but there are two schools of thought on when to add them. In this Pumpkin-Pecan Bread recipe, you add them to the flour mix before mixing the dry with the wet ingredients. This makes for an even mix in the final product. But in these Butterscotch Pecan Sandies, the pecans are lightly stirred in, making the final texture chunkier and more toothsome.
Another way to add pecan flavor (and an extra dose of protein) to baked goods is to use pecan flour. Pecan flour can substitute for up to 1/4 of the regular flour called for in the recipe. Purchase it at a specialty goods store like Whole Foods, or grind your own by pulverizing raw pecans in a food processor.
In Entrees
One of the most unique uses for pecans is in entrees. Both as a side and as a main portion of the meal, pecans add a texture and flavor that’s unlike any other. In this Apple Pecan Stuffing, pecans are cooked in a saucepan to complement the fruitiness of the apple and the sweetness of the onions.
On the other hand, you can add finely chopped pecans to a frying mix to make Pecan Crusted Chicken, fish or even tofu. Either way, diners will be pleasantly surprised to notice the unmistakable flavor of your secret ingredient.
Dessert
Any talk of cooking with pecans is missing without dessert. We could talk about pecan pie all day, but this Date Cake with Chocolate and Pecans is a more surprising (but no less delicious) gluten-free chocolate cake. Adding the pecans both in the batter itself and on top of the frosting will distract eaters from the real excitement: the sweet, fudgy dates in the batter.
These cooking tips and recipes can give you a great idea for a pecan twist on your next meal. Like any other nut, pecans are high in protein and healthy fats that help optimize brain function, glucose regulation and more. Do your body, mind and taste buds a favor by tossing a handful of pecans into your next cooking project.