Herbed Hazelnuts Recipes

ROASTED HAZELNUTS WITH THYME

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in middle.
• Roast nuts in 1 layer in a shallow baking pan in oven until nuts have a toasted aroma and skins are very dark, about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 30 minutes, then, if desired, rub in a kitchen towel to remove any loose skins.
• Heat nuts with thyme in oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat, shaking skillet, just until hot. Transfer to a bowl and sprinkle with sea salt.

GARLIC CUSTARDS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degree F.
• Brush a whole garlic head with olive oil. Wrap it in foil and bake for 2 hours. Let garlic cool enough to handle, then cut off the top of the garlic head and squeeze the soft cloves out onto a cutting board. Using the side of a broad knife, mash the cloves slightly. (This may be done up to a week in advance. Refrigerate roasted garlic.)
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Butter 8 (4-ounce) ramekins. Blend the custard ingredients together thoroughly. Pour into the ramekins and place them in a baking pan. Place the pan in the oven and carefully add hot water to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, but you may leave the custards in the water bath to keep warm for up to 20 minutes. You may wish to prepare the Salsa Fresca and the Vinaigrette while the custards bake, and the Herbed Hazelnuts while the custards stay warm after baking.
• To serve, turn the custards out of their ramekins onto plates. Spoon warm Vinaigrette over each one and sprinkle with warm Herbed Hazelnuts.
• Whisk the vinaigrette ingredients together in a small saucepan and heat gently. Set aside to keep warm.
• Melt the butter in a skillet and saute the hazelnuts with their seasonings until the nuts are well coated. Chop coarsely.
• Mix all the ingredients together. For best results, let salsa stand at least half an hour before serving or incorporating into recipe. Use within 24 hours. (The Vinaigrette calls for 1 cup. Enjoy the remaining 2 cups in Tortilla Soup or just with chips.)

CANDIED HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and water. Stir until combined and melted.
• Add hazelnuts and stir to coat. Cook for 2-3 minutes over medium heat until mixture reduces slightly and hazelnuts look sticky.
• Pour nuts onto a sheet of parchment and spread into a single layer. Allow to cool. Store in a sealed container until ready to use.

SPICED HERBED NUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• In medium saucepan over moderately low heat, combine all ingredients except nuts. Cook, stirring frequently, until butter and sugar melt completely, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add nuts and toss well to combine.
• Spread nuts on large rimmed baking sheet and bake, stirring after 7 minutes, until golden and fragrant, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool in pan on rack. (Nuts can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored at room temperature in airtight container.)

HERBED GRAIN SALAD WITH MUSHROOMS, HAZELNUTS AND PEARS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Stir in barley and return to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook at a gentle boil until tender but not mushy, 30 to 40 minutes. (Different grains will cook at different rates.)
• Make the dressing: In a food processor, combine the greens, dill and garlic and process until finely chopped, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add the whole nuts and pulse a few times to coarsely chop. While the motor is running, add the 3/4 cup oil gradually in a slow stream and process until smooth. Add the vinegar, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper (12 to 16 grinds), and mix. Taste and adjust the seasonings with vinegar, oil, salt and pepper. It should taste bright and rich.
• Cook the mushrooms: In a wide, medium-size pot, combine the mushrooms and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil and cook until the liquid evaporates, about 10 minutes. Stir in the 2 tablespoons oil and cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are completely cooked through and well browned, 5 to 10 minutes more. (The mushrooms will shrink quite a bit.) Remove from the heat and sprinkle with salt.
• When the barley is cooked, drain it well and return to the pot. Let cool until warm, stirring occasionally. (If the dressing is added when the grains are too hot, it will turn brown and taste "cooked.") Stir in a little oil if needed to prevent sticking. Stir in dressing and set aside, stirring occasionally, to let the grains absorb the dressing, at least 10 minutes.
• When ready to serve, taste the barley and season again. Gently mix in mushrooms, pear and chopped nuts. Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with lots of dill, and serve warm or at room temperature.