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Uses of Cashew Nuts

13 Uses of Cashew Nuts, Cashew Nuts in Indian Cooking

Cashew is a nut that is pale white in color and comes encased in a hard outer nut shell. This nut is sweetish in taste and is quite buttery. It can be eaten in many ways and tastes great in savory and sweet recipes. 

1. The sweet, buttery-tasting cashew is a perfect snack when either eaten raw or toasted with a little masala to make healthy roasted cashews.

2. Cashews are one of the main ingredients in Punjabi gravies and subzis. When blended together with different types of masalas, cashews form a smooth paste which gives a great consistency and thickness to the gravy. This addition also balances the flavor of the curry for example in Dum Aloo and Paneer Pasanda.

3. These nuts are an essential in Indian food. Apart from being used in gravies, they are added to different rice preparations for a certain amount of crunch to the dish. They are most commonly used in Biryanis and Pulaos but sometimes also in the South Indian delicacy, Bisi Bele Bhaat. 

4. It is also used in many tikkas and kebabs. For Afghani paneer, cashews are grinded up with poppy seeds and garam masala and made into a delicious marinade. They are also put over kebabs and deep fried. 

5. One of the most famous sweets in India, Kaju Katli, is a preparation made from milk, ghee, cashews and sugar. The four simple ingredients are thickened and transformed into perfect diamond shaped treats. They are also used to make kaju rolls and other sweets. 

6. Dry fruits form an essential part of Indian Desserts from sheeras to Basundi. Cashews are added either as a whole or chopped to sweet preparations like Paal Payassam to add to its richness. 

7. Cashews are used as a stuffing or in the batter of many Indian snacks. Kanchipuram idli is famous for its cashew use in the south while in Rajasthan it is used as a stuffing in Gujjias, sweet deep fried goodness! 

8. Cashews are really important in Vegan Cuisine. Since cashews turn into a very smooth paste if grinded enough, due to the oil content, it turns into Cashew butter. This can be used as a spread too. Further, you can even make Cashew milk with it, which is the replacement of dairy milk. 

9. Cashew powder is used as a thickener and as a replacement of maida in soups and stews where maida is used to provide thickness. 

10. Fried cashews are usually added to jar snacks like Chivdas or namkeens for a different flavor profile.

11. Cashews are also a common ingredient in confectionaries like cookies and cakes.  

12. Cashews have become a popular dessert nuts behind almonds. They can be added as is or coated with chocolate and honey.

13. In Chinese cuisine, Cashew Ginger Sauce is made to have with rice, steamed broccoli, or over stuffed cabbage or use in stir fry vegetables.

 

To know about Recipes using Cashew nuts, check out our collection.

Uses Of Cashew Nuts



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If you’re nuts about nuts like most foodies are, then this snack is just right for. Something that you can munch on without much guilt, the Roasted Cashew Nuts is made by baking the cashews coated with lemon juice and spices. Its vibrant flavour is sure to add more zeal to your day! You can perk up this easy-peasy snack with any other seasonings of your choice. It is much healthier than deep-fried nuts, while offering an irresistibly zesty flavour. You can also try other munchies like Besan Masala Peanuts or Roasted Makhana.

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Punjabi paneer pasanda recipe | Indian style paneer pasanda gravy | veg Punjabi recipe | with 36 amazing images. Punjabi paneer pasanda recipe | Indian style paneer pasanda gravy | veg Punjabi recipe is a famous restaurant style sabzi. Learn how to make Indian style paneer pasanda gravy. To make the gravy for Punjabi paneer pasanda, combine the onions and little salt in a deep bowl and mix well. Cover with a lid and keep aside for 10 minutes. Heat the oil for deep-frying in a deep non-stick pan, add the onions and deep-fry till they turn golden brown in colour. Drain on an absorbent paper. Blend the deep-fried onions in a mixer till smooth. Keep aside. Heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan, add the onion paste and cook on a medium flame for 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Add the chilli powder and garam masala, mix well and cook again for 1 minute. Add the curds, mix well and cook on a slow flame for 1 minute, while stirring continuously. Add the deep-fried onion paste, salt and ½ cup of water, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally. To make paneer pasanda, just before serving, place the paneer cubes in the gravy, mix gently and cook on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes. Serve the paneer pasanda hot garnished with coriander. "Pasanda" means everyone's favourite. So as the name suggests this paneer delicacy is adored by everyone who tastes it. The 2 different types of onion pastes used to make this Indian style paneer pasanda gravy add their own distinct flavours which combine to form a flavour like none other. Using ghee in the dish instead of oil can further enhance the flavour. Despite the fact that this veg Punjabi recipe calls for extra effort, it is sure to be each one’s favourite and the rich gravy is also sure to win praises for you each time you make it! Punjabi paneer pasanda can be enjoyed for lunch as well as dinner with butter naan or lachha paratha. It is also a great addition to a Indian Party menu. Tips for Punjabi paneer pasanda. 1. Use of fresh curd is a must for best flavour. 2. You can try making soft and creamy paneer at home. Enjoy Punjabi paneer pasanda recipe | Indian style paneer pasanda gravy | veg Punjabi recipe | | with step by step photos.

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dum aloo recipe | restaurant style dum aloo | Punjabi dum aloo | dum aloo curry | with 43 amazing images. Our dum aloo recipe is also called Punjabi dum aloo. Delicious baby potato preparation that’s bursting with flavour in this restaurant style dum aloo. Chilli-coated potatoes in dum aloo curry are cooked with cream, tomatoes and a flavourful paste of whole spices and onions. Coriander leaves are the ultimate addition to this tasty Punjabi dum aloo which gives it a really rich flavour. Dum Aloo gets its characteristic flavour and texture from the intensely-flavoured gravy that the potatoes are cooked in. The dum aloo gravy gets its deep flavour and luscious texture from a paste of onions and spices, cooked along with tomato pulp and fresh cream. We show you how to make restaurant style dum aloo in less than 30 minutes. To make dum aloo recipe, we show you 8 detailed steps on how to prepare the baby potatoes for the recipe. Remember to refresh with cold water to prevent carry-over cooking of baby potatoes. Then we show you 6 steps in making a tasty homemade tomato puree. Next you are shown how to make the onion paste for restaurant style dum aloo in 11 steps. Lastly, you make the dum aloo gravy which then leads to the final Punjabi dum aloo recipe. You will enjoy not just the taste but also the awesome mouth-feel of this dum aloo curry. Serve with Tandoori Roti or pressure cooker naan. Enjoy dum aloo recipe | restaurant style dum aloo | Punjabi dum aloo | dum aloo curry

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shahi pulao | shahi veg pulao | mughlai shahi pulao | how to make shahi pulao | with 30 amazing images. The presence of the word Shahi always hints at the richness of a recipe. Indeed, the Shahi Pulao is a rice dish that is loaded with spices, veggies and a horde of other ingredients, which give it a memorable flavour and texture. While an assortment of spices including saffron and caraway seeds gives this shahi veg pulao preparation a rich aroma, taste and hue, veggies, pineapple and paneer give it a wonderful range of textures. Pineapple also gives the mughlai shahi pulao a juicy tanginess, which you are sure to enjoy. Self-contained with myriad flavours, this shahi veg pulao is a one-dish meal can be served with just a bowl of curd or raita. We have cooked the rice for mughlai shahi pulao on a stove top but you can cook it in a pressure cooker also. Aside from shahi pulao check out our collection of pulao recipes like pressure cooker veg pulao and matar pulao. Enjoy shahi pulao | shahi veg pulao | mughlai shahi pulao | how to make shahi pulao with detailed step by step photos.

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Afghani paneer recipe | restaurant style Afghani paneer | paneer Afghani | how to make Afghani paneer tikka at home | Afghani paneer tikka is from the kitchens of Mughals. Learn how to make restaurant style Afghani paneer. The Mughal maharajas had an umpteen number of chefs who spent laborious hours toiling in the kitchens to prepare the perfect meal. They ground most ingredients to powders to ensure the perfect eating experience. The spice powder of this paneer Afghani, is a classic example of this. To make Afghani paneer, combine the melon seeds, cashews and poppy seeds in a mixer jar and blend till you get a smooth powder. Then make a marinade by combining fresh cream, milk, butter, white pepper powder, garam masala, chilli paste and salt. Combine the paneer cubes with this powder and marinade, toss gently and keep aside to marinate for 2 hours. Thread 6 pieces of the marinated paneer in each satay stick or a skewer. Heat a non-stick tava (griddle), grease it with little oil, place 4 marinated paneer satays on it and cook using a little oil on a medium flame for approx. 10 minutes or till they turn brown in colour from all the sides. In this restaurant style Afghani paneer, the paneer should be extremely fresh, else it will break. Make big cubes and not small so that the pieces do not break while inserting them on a satay stick. Marinating the paneer for at least 1 to 2 hours ensures that all the flavours of the marinade are absorbed. Remember to serve this Afghani paneer tikka immediately off the tava. Enjoy Afghani paneer recipe | restaurant style Afghani paneer | paneer Afghani | how to make Afghani paneer tikka at home.

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kaju katli recipe | kaju barfi | kaju burfi | homemade kaju katli diwali special | Indian style cashew barfi | Kaju Katli is made from 4 simple ingredients like kaju, sugar, milk powder and ghee. Kaju barfi is an all time favourite traditional mithai, but one that is feared by most people for the time it takes to prepare. If you follow this recipe meticulously, you will be pleasantly surprised by how easily and quickly you can prepare Kaju Katli at home! Although it takes a few hours to set, this recipe makes sure you spend less than 15 minutes sweating in the kitchen. To make kaju katli, blend the cashew nuts in a mixer to a fine, smooth powder. Combine the cashew nut powder and milk powder in a deep bowl, mix well and keep aside. Combine 1 cup of water and sugar in a broad non-stick pan, mix well and cook on a high flame till the sugar dissolves and forms a one string consistency, while stirring continuously. (for approx. 7 to 8 minutes). Lower the flame to medium, add the cashew-milk powder mixture, mix well and cook for 3 minutes or till no lumps remain, while stirring continuously. Switch off the flame and pour the cashew mixture in a plate and keep aside to cool completely for half an hour. Once cooled, scrape out the cashew mixture from the plate with the help of a flat ladle and knead into a smooth dough. Divide the dough into 2 equal portions and keep aside. Grease two 250 mm. (10”) thalis on the backside and a rolling pin with a little melted ghee. Place a portion of the dough on a greased thali, flatten it and roll it into a 225 mm. (9”) diameter circle using the greased rolling pin. Ensure to lift the rolled out dough occasionally so it does not stick to the thali. Repeat step 9 to roll another portion of the dough. Keep both the thalis aside for 2 to 3 hours to set. Cut into diamond shaped pieces and scrape the kaju katli from the thali with the help of a knife. Serve or store in an air-tight container. It stays fresh for upto 7 to 8 days. Indian style cashew barfi is always there on the mithai platter during festivals like Diwali and Raksha - Bandhan . Serve along with namkeens like Poha Chivda, Chakli, Masala Mathri, Moong Dal Crispies etc. If you take care of the syrup’s consistency and the time of cooking and the level of heat (flame) as described in the recipe of homemade kaju katli diwali special, you are assured of a perfect result. Tips for kaju katli. 1. You could also put the cashews in the freezer for sometime before powdering it in the mixer, so you will get a very smooth powder without oil oozing out of the nuts. 2. Alternatively you can invest in a kaju grinder to get the best cashew powder without its oil oozing out. 3. After adding the cashew powder, stir it continuously to get a lump free mixture. 4. At step 11, use a palette knife or a flat steel ladle to scrape the kaju katli from the thali. Enjoy kaju katli recipe | kaju barfi | kaju burfi | homemade kaju katli diwali special | Indian style cashew barfi |

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paal payasam recipe | South Indian rice kheer | Kerala style paal payasam | with 13 amazing images. paal payasam is a South Indian rice kheer which is a Kerala style paal payasam. paal payasam is a must-serve item during South Indian festivals, weddings and other auspicious occasions. Made of rice cooked in full-fat milk and sweetened with sugar, this South Indian rice kheer has a very rich flavour and creamy texture, which are boosted further by spices like cardamom and saffron. This South Indian rice kheer is something that kids and adults look forward to enjoying on special occasions. It is also one of the offerings made at Kerala temples, and you can find a long queue of people waiting at the prasad counter after mid-morning puja time to buy a portion of this Kerala style paal payasam. In temples, the Indian rice kheer is cooked in large, heavy-bottomed bronze vessels, which gives it an even more intense flavour and richer texture. Tips to make the perfect South Indian rice kheer. 1. Rinse a deep non-stick pan with ¼ cup of water and quickly simmer it for 2-3 minutes. This will prevent milk from burning from the bottom as the water forms a protective layer between the pan and milk. Also, it is advisable to use a heavy bottom pan to make Indian desserts like basundi, kheer, rabdi. 2. Stir it occasionally to avoid milk from sticking to the bottom of the pan or browning. It is very important to use full-fat milk as it will provide the rice-kheer a rich and creamy texture. 3. Cook South Indian Rice Kheer on a slow flame for 7 minutes while stirring and scraping the sides of the pan occasionally. Enjoy how to make paal payasam recipe | South Indian rice kheer | Kerala style paal payasam | with step by step recipes and photos below.

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kanchipuram idli recipe | kancheepuram idli | Tamil Kovil idli | easy South Indian breakfast | with 52 amazing images. kanchipuram idli recipe | kancheepuram idli | Tamil Kovil idli | easy South Indian breakfast | is a special savoury idli which got its name from that small town in Tamil Nadu. Learn how to make easy South Indian breakfast. To make kanchipuram idli, to the idli batter after fermentation, add the turmeric powder and dried ginger powder and mix well. Keep this batter aside. Combine the cumin seeds and peppercorns in a mortar pestle (khalbatta), crush to a coarse mixture and keep aside. Heat the sesame oil and ghee in a small non-stick pan, add the chana dal and sauté on a medium flame for 1 minute. Add the mustard seeds, urad dal, cumin seeds-peppercorn mixture and green chillies and sauté on a medium flame for 1 minute. Add the cashewnuts and curry leaves and sauté on a medium flame for another 30 seconds. Add this tempering to the kanchipuram idli batter, mix well and pour spoonfuls of the batter into each of the greased idli moulds. Steam in an idli steamer for 10 minutes or till they are cooked. Repeat with the remaining batter to make more kanchipuram idlis. Allow the kanchipuram idlis to cool slightly and demould them. Serve the kanchipuram idli hot with kolumbu and coconut chutney. Kancheepuram idli is famous for more than silk sarees! In fact, it is offered at the Sri Varadharaja Swamy Temple, and food-lovers are generally prepared to even withstand the hardships of a long queue to buy the prasad of tasty Kanchipuram Idli from there. Indeed, with an elaborate tempering of assorted spices, these idlis are a mouth-watering treat. Here is how you can prepare kanchipuram idli in your own kitchen. While we have shown how to make the basic idli batter, to save time you can also buy the readymade idli batter and then add ingredients to make this idli. Also we have prepared Tamil Kovil idli using idli moulds for convenience, this batter is traditionally cooked in small greased katoris or in a large, round, flat cooker vessel and then sliced into squares or triangles. Everyone in the family is sure to love easy South Indian breakfast and be it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Besides this idli, you can also make other varieties from my collection of Idli recipes, such as the Palak Rava Idli which is enriched with iron, then there is the Stuffed Potato Idli which is more filling and a good option to serve for lunch or dinner, for a nutty and spicy flavour I make Vermicelli Nut Idli which is also good to serve while entertaining. Tips for kanchipuram idli. 1. Mixing with hands helps in the fermentation process so don’t skip this step. 2. Depending on the weather, the batter may take about 8-12 hours to ferment. If the temperature is too low, it may take even 14 hours to ferment. 3. Though the list of spices and condiments may look vast, we recommend you add all of them in the said amounts to enjoy the authentic flavours of this idli. 4. Remember to grease the idli moulds with oil, before pouring the batter in it. This step of greasing makes the demoulding of idli very easy. Enjoy kanchipuram idli recipe | kancheepuram idli | Tamil Kovil idli | easy South Indian breakfast | | with step by step photos.

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poha chivda | roasted poha chivda | thin poha chivda | maharashtrian poha chivda | with 14 images. Poha Chivda is made from an assortment of ingredients ranging from poha, roasted urad dal and peanuts to cashews and curry leaves. This gives poha chivda a range of textures, while a choice of spice powders gives it a nice savoury aroma and flavour. Pop a spoonful into your mouth and savour the crunchiness of this delectable thin poha chivda snack! I always prefer to make snacks at home. Store bought or street bought snacks are cooked in inferior quality oil which causes inflammation of the body. This roasted poha chivda is not deep fried and hence a lot healthier than deep fried snacks. While it is perfect to have on a cold, rainy day, with a cup of chai , this versatile poha chivda snack is also light enough to enjoy on a hot summer’s day with a glass of juice, or to take along to school or office in a snack box! You can prepare a batch of this thin poha chivda and store it in an airtight container for a 10 to 15 days to relish it as and when you wish to. Looking for Indian travel food dry snacks, then this maharashtrian poha chivda is a perfect choice. When making roasted poha chivda, you need to take care. Dry roast the thin beaten rice on a medium flame for 2 to 3 minutes, while stirring continuously. If you stir too much, the thin poha might break so, make use of a pan with handles and toast by shaking the pan. Enjoy maharashtrian poha chivda with detailed step by step photos and video below.

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basundi recipe | Gujarati basundi | how to make traditional basundi sweet | milk basundi recipe | with 25 amazing images. Gujarati basundi is a rich and delicious Gujarati mishtan of thickened milk, very similar to the North Indian rabdi, it is basically just boiling the milk in a thick bottomed pan till the milk is reduced. Almonds and pistachios add crunch to this rich , creamy basundi. Remember to keep scraping the sides of the vessel when cooking, as that will make the basundi thick and impart a real creamy texture. Use a flat spoon to scrape the vessel as it is more convenient than a round spoon. gujarati basundi can be served warm or chilled and tastes amazing with piping hot, deep-fried puris and Undhiyu. Come festivals like Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami or Navratri, my father would start reducing the milk since 5 am for making basundi, so that the gas range would be free before my mother gets up and starts cooking the meal. Twist the authentic Basundi sweet recipe and make innovative Pineapple Basundi with fruity flavor. To fasten the cooking process, you can even make basundi with condensed milk that will get ready quickly. Aside from basundi, see our Gujarati sweet recipes like Golpapdi, Kopra Pak, Mohanthal. Pro tips for basundi. 1. Add 6 1/2 cups full-fat milk in that deep thick pan. Full-fat milk has a higher fat content than low-fat or skim milk. This higher fat content contributes to the rich, creamy texture and indulgent mouthfeel that are characteristic of basundi. The fat helps to create a smooth and luxurious experience when enjoying this dessert. 2. Reduce the flame and cook on a slow to medium flame for 45-48 minutes while stirring and scraping the sides of the pan occasionally. Image one of cooking for 15 minutes. Slow to medium cooking allows the milk to evaporate gently. This gradual process results in a smooth and creamy texture, unlike rapid boiling which could cause scorching or curdling. 3. Add 1/2 tsp cardamom (elaichi) powder. Cardamom has a distinct aroma and flavor profile, offering a combination of warm, sweet, and slightly floral notes. It complements the richness of the milk and sweetness of the sugar in basundi, adding complexity and depth to the overall taste. Enjoy basundi recipe | Gujarati basundi | how to make traditional basundi sweet | milk basundi recipe | with step by step photos.

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