Nuts are an integral part of the traditional recipes of Thailand. Precisely, they contribute a lot to the flavor of those recipes. Here’s more.
Thai cuisine is a delight for every foodie out there. It’s
purely delicious and boasts a perfect balancing of five different flavors – sour, bitter, salty, sweet, and spicy. When it comes to traditional Thai recipes, the list includes a lot, such as Pad Thai, Som Tam, Tom Yum Soup, Gka Prow Gai, Khao Klukh Krapi, and more.
Now, most of these recipes involve the use of various nuts (along with several other ingredients, of course!). These nuts deliver an excellent aroma & flavor to the dishes that are hard to resist. Without further ado, let’s get a look at the five commonly used ones among them.
Almonds- abound in monounsaturated fat
Almonds make for an ingredient in the traditional Pad Thai recipe. The butter form is more commonly used, as it adds another layer of texture to the dish. These crunchy nuts are packed with dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Also, they have monounsaturated fats that may help lower your risk of heart disease.
Peanuts, a rich source of plant-based protein
Peanuts have many different names, such as goobers, groundnuts, and earthnuts. These nuts taste delicious and are widely used in various noodle dishes of Thai cuisine. They enhance both the flavor and aroma of the dishes and also make them a lot more satiating for your appetite. What’s more, peanuts contain huge amounts of fat, fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and more.
Cashews- packed with healthy carbohydrates
Cashews boast a sweet flavor, making them an amazing ingredient in various dishes of different cuisines. Also, you can spot them (in roasted form) in many Thai stir-fry dishes as well. They help provide a thick consistency to the dishes, which further becomes mouth-watering for sure! Cashews are an excellent source of fiber, fat, sodium, protein, zinc, potassium, magnesium, iron, vitamin B6, vitamin 6, and more.
Raisins- a powerhouse of essential nutrients
Raisins, otherwise known as kishmish, are a powerhouse of fiber, calcium, potassium, and several other essential nutrients. These are commonly used in Thai fried rice recipes. The list also includes mixed veg and Thai coconut jelly. Their sweet flavor provides a uniqueness to the dish that is hard to resist. Also, if eaten on a regular basis, they can reduce your risk of heart disease to a significant extent.
Nutmegs- loaded with tons of antioxidants
Nutmegs are actually seeds but are used and consumed as nuts worldwide. These are loaded with antioxidants that help you fight off several diseases. Moreover, they boast a sweet aromatic flavor, making them an ingredient in various traditional Thai dishes, such as Khao Soi, Massaman Curry, Thai Panang Curry, etc. Regular consumption of nutmeg is associated with a lowered risk of heart & liver disorders.
So, don’t forget to use these nuts the next time you make a Thai dish in your kitchen.
