I received free pistachio samples from the Pistachio Health Institute mentioned in this post. By posting this pairing I am entering a contest sponsored by Pistachio Health Institute and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.
Getting snowed in isn’t something I look forward to. However, the ice storm that hit the South during the last week of January actually dropped off three fun, productive and relaxing days! So maybe you’re wondering what a gal who looks forward to a morning run (with her chocolate lab named Brody) does when the streets are iced over for 48 hours? Hmm… Here is your answer: this is my third post on pistachio pairings!
Aha… so you see… I’m nuts.. about pistachios!
Well, let me tell you why:
1. In-shell pistachios are a smart choice to satisfy a salty craving. If you’re looking for a healthy snack of 100 calories, grab 30 pistachios!
2. In-shell pistachios can improve your ablity to use mindful eating. Empty shells can be a helpful visual cue as to how much you’ve eaten, potentially encouraging reduced calorie consumption. Follow the catchy pistachio principle:
Crack ’em, Eat ‘Em, Love’Em, Leave ‘Em
3. In-shell pistachios are one of the many nuts you can eat for health benefits. Recent research from Harvard University and published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded, eat nuts, live longer! 1 You can read more about the nutritonal benefits of in-shell pistachios, (aka the skinny nut) at the Pistachio Health Institute.
4. In-shell pistachios are versatile. If you’re looking for a food to pair with pistachios, there’s no shortage! For those of you who have been reading my blog (and checking out the links at the bottom of the posts) you have witnessed that they can go casual, upscale, super healthy or uber indulgent.
Today I’m rolling out the later, and it’s not for the faint of heart:
Coddle your Craving: Indulgent In-shell Pistachio Treat
In-Shell Pistachios
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Dark Chocolate
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Strawberries
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Coffee with Dulce De Leche, topped with whipped cream and dusted with cocoa powder
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My Nirvana
Dark Chocolate: Smooth and creamy with an exquisite aroma, dark chocolate is always a gratifiying experience. But it gets better in this pairing because the delightful blend of chocolately goodness is set off by the salty crunch of in-shell pistachios!
Strawberries: Fresh and luscious, strawberries are a classic match to both chocolate and nuts! Need I say more?
Coffee with Dulce De Leche, topped with whipped cream and finished with a dusting of cocoa powder: Dulce De Leche, aka “milk candy”, is a rich decadent South American sauce made from sweetened milk. It will enhance a strong cup of coffe with the sweet creamy taste of carmel. You can make your own, but it’s readily available in the grocery store. Stir it into a very hot cup of coffee. Top off your mug with a fluffy scoop of whipped cream and dust with cocoa powder. Now prepare your taste buds to go haywire; your java taste experience is about to culminate in a fruity, chocolatey, salty and carmel intimacy.
Serving Suggestion: Serve coffee in mugs. I choose clear glass mugs to show off the pretty layers but any mug will do and nobody is going to complain when they taste this hot cuppa. Place in-shell pistachois in a bowl and set next to a favorite plate arranged with strawberries and dark chocolate. Allow guest (s) to help themselves to little portions, complementing the everything in moderation approach to dining! Caution: serving this may suggest you’re smitten?
Whatever the reason, whatever the season, the Recipe Reduxers will help you make in-shell pistachios part of your everyday health routine! See how by visiting the links at the bottom of this post for more fun and innovative ways to pair pistachios!
1 Bao et al. Association of nut consumption with total and cause-specific mortality. N Engl J of Med. 2013;369: 2001-2011
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