The Joy Of [Cooking With] Nutmeats.
So I’ve been on a bit of a pistachio kick lately.
It’s odd because until a couple of years ago, I really didn’t even know what pistachios were.
I mean — I knew they were some kind nut and also a weird green ice cream flavor that didn’t sound the slightest bit appetizing so I skipped them, and the ice cream, and went on with my life.
And, as with so many things we don’t bother to try, that was a huge mistake.
I missed out on years of delectable pistachio consumption.
Then one day I noticed my neighbor plucking the bud-like nuts from a bag, pulling apart the pre-cracked shells, munching on the kernels, and tossing the shells into a bowl on the ground.
“What are those?” I asked, fascinated.
She looked at me like I’d just arrived from another planet. “Pistachios. Want some?”
![DSC_8663_web](http://www.domestiphobia.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/DSC_8663_web.jpg)
And thus began the start of my addiction.
Pistachios, it turns out, are like the Pringles of the nut world.
Once you pop, you just can’t stop.
![DSC_8657_web](http://www.domestiphobia.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/DSC_8657_web.jpg)
And the great thing about them is that because they take a little work to eat and you’re forced to watch the discarded shells pile up, you don’t actually end up eating as many as you would with, say, a container full of cashews.
Side note: When we were on our honeymoon in St. Lucia, we learned that cashews, which I consider to be the God of all Nuts, are actually harvested from these bell pepper-sized fruits. That’s ONE nut per fruit. Can you imagine buying a bag of “unshelled” cashews?
![StLuciaCashew](http://www.domestiphobia.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/StLuciaCashew.jpg)
You can actually buy pistachios pre-hulled which, to the surprise and delight of someone with my level of maturity, Trader Joe’s likes to call a big bag of “nutmeats.”
![PistachioNutmeats](http://www.domestiphobia.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/PistachioNutmeats.jpg)
Of course, pre-shelled nutmeats are more expensive.
Good nutmeat always is.
I prefer my nutmeats lightly salted, but you can purchase unsalted nutmeats as well.
Are we done laughing yet?
Nutmeats.
Okay.
So usually, if I’m just hankering for a snack, I buy pistachios that are still in the shell. But if I’m using them in a recipe, I take the lazy route and buy a big bag of nutmeats.
One of the easiest things in the world to make at home is granola.
Homemade granola tastes so much better than dried-out store-bought granola. I love it so much that I’ve shared the same recipe twice on this blog — once in 2010 and once in 2012.
No, I didn’t realize I did it until after I published the second post.
Which is further proof that I’m losing my mind.
Anyway.
That’s my “healthy-ish” version with ground flax and wheat germ and seeds and such.
This — my sweet, salty, pistachio nutmeat filled kind — is likely decidedly less healthy.
![DSC_5333_web](http://www.domestiphobia.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/DSC_5333_web.jpg)
But it’s delicious, and probably still better than anything you would buy at the store.
My friend Tracy sent me the recipe a while back, and I make it whenever I’m in the mood for a sweet, crunchy treat. You can cut back on the sugar and maple syrup if you like your granola a little more savory. It’s a super versatile recipe that can be tweaked any number of ways, but I wouldn’t recommend skipping the nutmeats, simply because you would miss out on the fun of laughing about calling them nutmeats.
Sweet and Salty Nutmeat Granola
- 1-1/2 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 c. raw pistachios, hulled
- 1/2 c. walnuts (I use pecans because Justin is not a huge fan of walnutmeats.)
- 1/2 c. sweetened coconut flakes
- 1/4-1/3 c. pure maple syrup
- 1/4 c. olive oil
- 1/3 c. packed brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 c. dried cranberries (optional)
![DSC_5331_web](http://www.domestiphobia.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/DSC_5331_web.jpg)
1. Combine everything but the cranberries in a large bowl. Spread onto a rimmed baking sheet and bake at 300-degrees F for 30 minutes until lightly browned and toasted, stirring halfway through. Add dried cranberries if using, cool completely, and store in an airtight container.
![DSC_5332_web](http://www.domestiphobia.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/DSC_5332_web.jpg)
What?
That’s it?
Yep.
And even though I’m a little late in the game here, I’m pretty sure pistachio nutmeats are making a comeback.
If you buy them pre-hulled, everyone — young, old, and even the least dexterous among us — can experience the joy of nutmeats.
![DSC_5328_web](http://www.domestiphobia.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/DSC_5328_web.jpg)
Nutmeats.
Comments
Umm…where have I been? Excellent new banner/logo! Do it yourself?
Ha, I did! I actually just talked about it in my last post. I might try to come up with something a little more professional eventually, but this works for now. :) Thanks!
Figures, the one post still in my e-mail screaming “read me!”
ohhh this is new never had granola with pistachios before sounds yummy. Never herd them referred to as nutmeats before LOL…. ohh and BTW I have had pistachio ice cream before now that your hooked you reallllllllllllllllly need to try it .
I am officially adding pistachio ice cream to my “must try before I die” list! :)
Definitely! It’s friggin’ good.
Know what else you should try? Pistachio macarons. They’re pretty fab.
Oh wow those sound delicious!
I have been eating them like crazy too, there is constantly a bowl of them out on the kitchen table. I only discovered them when I moved to California as a college student and have been eating them ever since!
Ugh why are they SO good?
Don’t know why, I got hooked at first because I had never had them until I was 18, but after that wore off, I just go in cycles where I can’t get enough of them and then I am done. I did eat a lot of pistachio pudding growing, but man it tastes nothing like the real thing!
This is how terrible of a foodie/cook I am…I had no idea what nutmeat was before I read this post.
Ha! I had no idea “nutmeat” was a term until I read it on the bag from Trader Joe’s. I think it’s hilarious. But then I sometimes have the humor maturity level of a teenager. :)