Do You Make These 3 Mistakes When Cooking With Nuts?

Warm Pecan Spinach Salad by Chef Justin Girourd. Chef and Owner of The French Press in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Warm Pecan Spinach Salad by Chef Justin Girourd. Chef and Owner of The French Press in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Incorporating nuts in cooking adds dimensions of flavor and texture to whatever your taste buds are directing you to craft in the kitchen. Whether you are making a pecan-crusted salmon or a prosciutto salad with oven-toasted pine nuts, there is room for error when cooking with these shelled delights. Here are a few mistakes in a nutshell:

1. Breading Battle

A delicious, crispy crust jazzes up a fish fillet or chicken breast. If the meat is coated with a greater breading than nuts ratio, you will sacrifice the nut’s flavor and create a saltier alternative.

2. To toast, or not to toast? That is the question.

Not toasting nuts is a mistake. Yes, toasting does add prep time, but if you choose to not spend a few extra minutes shaking them in a pan, you eliminate potential flavor that could be the extra “mmmmm” to your dish. Continue reading Do You Make These 3 Mistakes When Cooking With Nuts?