Savour the Crunch: Wholesome Recipes with Nuts and Seeds!

Nuts and seeds are excellent to use in your everyday diet. They are the perfect replacement when you are looking for snacks or munchies. Instead of unhealthy chips or fried snacks, picking from a choice of nuts and seeds is a wise choice. 

Nuts and seeds are versatile and can be used by people following specific diets like a ketogenic diet, or vegan diet along with regular diets. You can use nuts and seeds just as they are, like roasted snacks or use them to create delectable savoury as well as dessert recipes. 

Nuts and seeds are considered superfoods as they are packed with proteins, ‘good fats’ along with various vitamins and minerals. They help maintain a healthy weight, help with heart health, as well as management of diabetes. 

We know of peanuts, sesame seeds etc as they are commonly used. We have picked out some recipes using some unique nuts and seeds that are sure to find a place in your heart and kitchen. 

1. Walnut Chutney 

Walnut chutney known in Kashmir as Doon Chetni, this is a unique kind of chutney. Made using walnuts, it is very healthy and has a unique flavour that is local to the flavours of Kashmir. 

This exotic chutney is ideally prepared using a mortar and pestle, but a blending jar will also work just fine. Try this mildly spiced, highly flavourful creamy chutney for sure. 

Total Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4 people

Ingredients: 

• ½ cup walnuts 
• 2 green chillies 
• 2 garlic cloves 
• 1 small onion, roughly chopped 
• 4-5 fresh mint leaves 
• 1 tsp shahi jeera ‘1/2 cup hung curd (or yoghurt)
• Salt to taste 

Method: 

1. Place a saucepan on low flame, add the walnuts to it and dry roast them for 4-5 minutes. 
2. Transfer them to a blending jar and add the remaining ingredients. 
3. Lightly blend the contents to get a smooth and creamy chutney. 
4. Transfer the chutney to a serving bowl. 
5. This walnut chutney goes best with tandoori dishes or other spicy snacks.

2. Hazelnut Mushroom Risotto 

This rich and creamy Italian recipe is drool-worthy and healthy at the same time. Laced with rich and crunchy hazelnuts, and mushrooms this risotto is surprisingly easy to prepare as well. The crunch of the hazelnuts along with the richness of mushrooms in Arborio rice, you have to try it to know it. 

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Serves: 2 people

Ingredients: 

• ½ cup hazelnuts 
• 1 cup thinly sliced mushrooms 
• ½ cup finely chopped onions
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced 
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 cup Arborio rice 
• 2 cups chicken/vegetable stalks (or water) 
• Salt to taste 
• ½ cup fresh cream
• ½ cup grated cheese
• White pepper to taste 
• 2 sprigs of parsley 

Method: 

1. Place a saucepan on low flame and toast the hazelnuts for a couple of minutes. Remove the hazelnuts and set aside. 
2. Pour some olive oil and add the minced garlic to it. Once the garlic cooks, add the onions and cook till it is translucent. Now add the mushrooms and cook for a minute. 
3. Add the rice and stir it for a minute or two. Pour the stalk or water and season with salt and pepper. 
4. Cover and cook for about 40 minutes on a low flame or until the rice is fully cooked. 
5. Once the rice is cooked, add the fresh cream and cheese and cook for a few minutes. 
6. Finally, add the toasted hazelnuts and transfer them to a serving plate. Garnish with a sprig of parsley and devour while hot. 

3. Seasoned Flaxseed Crackers 

Flaxseeds are a superfood as they help with heart health, blood pressure management, symptoms of menopause, and many more. 

This recipe is a delicious and easy way to include flaxseeds into your daily diet. Prepared using very few ingredients, these crackers are firm and go perfectly well with dips and spread or even on their own. Prepare a batch of these crackers and know for yourself. 

Prep Time: 8 hours
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
Serves: 2-3 servings

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups raw flaxseeds
• 2 Cups water
• Salt to taste 
• 1 tsp onion powder 
• 1 tsp garlic powder 
• 1 tsp red chilli powder 
• Chat masala (optional) 

Method: 

1. In a large mixing bowl add the flaxseeds with the same quantity of water. Soak the flaxseeds overnight or at least 8 hours until the mixture is sticky and the flaxseeds have soaked the water completely. 
2. Once the mixture is ready, you can season them as you like, but here we add salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and red chilli powder and mix everything well. 
3. Set the oven to preheat, and place a parchment sheet on a baking tray. 
4. Spread a thick layer of this prepared mixture on a parchment paper. Take care not to make it very thin or very thick. 
5. Place the tray in a preheated oven at 180’C for 20-30 minutes or until the crackers are crisp and baked well. 
6. Enjoy these crackers as they are or even with a dip of your choice. 

4. Lentil Bread with seeds and Nuts

If you love bread but avoid it because of the gluten or high carb content? This bread is just for you! 

You can prepare this high-protein gluten-free and healthy bread at home, fortified with the goodness of nuts and seeds. Make this easy bread recipe once and you will never buy store-bought bread again! 

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup soaked lentils (orange masoor dal) 
• ½ cup ground flax seeds 
• 2 tsp cooking oil 
• 2 tsp baking powder 
• ½ cup cornflour 
• 1 cup mixed nuts and seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds etc) 

Method: 

1. Set the oven to preheat at 180’C. 
2. In a blending jar add the soaked lentils without water along with the ground flaxseeds and blend to get a fine paste. 
3. Transfer the paste into a mixing jar, add some oil, salt baking powder and cornflour and mix everything well. This bread recipe does not need to be kneaded. 
4. Take a bread mould and grease it well with oil. Transfer the batter to the bread mould. Generously top the batter with mixed seeds and nuts, and lightly press them so they get embedded in well. 
5. Transfer it to a pre-heated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the bread is perfectly baked. 
6. Allow the bread to cool, cut the slices of the thickness of your choice. Enjoy preparing a sandwich or any way you like.