Tired of the same old recipes on repeat
A case in point is the fragrant, emerald green pistachio oil. I’ve always loved pistachios and pistachio ice cream. But I never knew there was pistachio oil.
Health Benefits:
Pistachio oil is as healthy for you
It ‘s also a good source of vitamins B1, K, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Pistachio oil helps regulate cholesterol and is recognised as one of the healthy fats.
How Pistachio Oil is Made:
Pistachio oil is extracted from lightly toasted pistachio nuts which are mechanically pressed.
The oil is then filtered before being bottled.
How To Use Pistachio Oil:
Only a few drops are needed to make an everyday dish a delight as it has a strong pistachio taste. Its emerald color and incredible fragrance make it the crown jewel of my oil collection.
You can heat pistachio oil and use it in baking, but given its strong flavor and high price (from $14 to over $60 for 8 oz), I wouldn’t use it as a frying oil.
And like almond, walnut or hazelnut oils, it has a short shelf life of about 6 months once opened. It’s best to store it in the refrigerator.
Six Recommended Uses for Pistachio Oil:
–in baking: add it to melted butter in a cake batter
–over raw or cooked vegetables: endive salad, beets,
–in vinaigrettes: it goes well with balsamic or raspberry vinegar
–added to pasta or potatoes
–as a finishing oil over meat or fish (sea bass) and shellfish before serving.
–added to a fruit salad: raspberries, strawberries, sliced pears or apples; Pistachio and Rosewater go particularly well with red berries like raspberries and strawberries. (Nielsen-Massey Rose Water for Baking, Cooking and Drinks, 2 oz bottle on Amazon.com)
Buy High Quality Pistachio Oil on Amazon.com
–J. Leblanc French Pistachio Oil, 16 fl oz. on Amazon.com
This is by far my favourite French brand of pistachio oil!
J. Leblanc is a family-owned company in the Burgundy region of France and has been producing oils for top chefs for over a century. Their pistachio oil is seriously expensive, but its quality and taste are a reference and beyond reproach.
-La Tourangelle Pistachio Oil, 8,45 fl oz. is available on Amazon.com
This is small container but is of good quality, if you’d like to try pistachio oil for a lower price. La Tourangelle is French-American family-operated oil maker.
-Abel French Pistachio Oil, 8,45 fl oz. on Amazon.com
A Recipe Book All About Pistachios
We’re Nuts for Pistachios! by Daniel Humphreys on Amazon.com
The title says it all. This book goes into not only the sweet and savoury recipes using pistachios in all their forms, but also their health benefits. Besides the recipes, you’ll learn that February 23rd is National Pistachio Day. Who knew?
Three Quick and Easy Recipes With Pistachio Oil:
1. On a Ripe Avocado:
The French usually start lunch or dinner with a vegetable, raw or cooked. When I’m pressed for time and want a quick starter, this is a treat:
Add a half teaspoon of pistachio oil to the center of a ripe avocado and with sea salt. If you want to be fancy, add crunchy Maldon Sea Salt Flakes for texture.
Maldon Sea Salt Flakes, Natural, Pyramid Crystals in a Resealable Tub on Amazon.com
You now have a fabulous “Starter” to your lunch or dinner which takes only seconds to prepare. And it comes with its own bowl!
2. Melon, Tomato and Basil Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette:
The French use a Cavaillon melon but if you’re in the U.S. you would use a Cantaloupe melon.
- Put sliced tomatoes or cherry tomatoes and sliced melon on a plate
- Add some fresh basil leaves on top
- For the vinaigrette: (I use a 2:1 ratio of oil to vinegar, but you can use a 1:1 ratio if you prefer). Wisk two tablespoons of pistachio oil with one tablespoon of balsamic vinegar; salt & pepper to taste.
3. Up-Leveled Lentils:
France is known for its green lentils from the Puy region (You can find authentic “Lentilles Vertes du Puy” on Amazon.com). They have been present in French cooking since Roman times.
The French eat a lot of lentils, either cold in a salad or hot as a side dish.
For a delicious, unusual, but simple side-dish for your next meal, add a tablespoon of pistachio oil and a tablespoon of sugar to the cooking water of your green lentils.
Conclusion
Pistachio oil is a wonderful addition to your kitchen pantry for its numerous health benefits. But it also adds a lot of flavour to simple dishes both sweet and savoury.
You can quickly enhance a snack, Starter or Main course without a lot of extra work. And it’s as healthy for you as olive oil, so it will add variety to your meals. No need to tire of always using the same oil in recipes!
Finally, with all the advantages of pistachio oil, you’ll be less tempted to reach for takeaway or packaged food. It’s an all around healthy and flavourful choice.
And now you: Have you ever used pistachio oil in recipes at home? Send me an email and let me know!
And come on over and say “Hi” on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancyconwayparis/
All photos courtesy of Unsplash.com