Believed to have been an important food source since prehistoric times, pine nuts are actually seeds, which come from the cones of various species of the evergreen, coniferous pine tree.
Like all of their nutty (or seedy) brethren, pine nuts are as versatile as they are healthy and a fantastic way of fortifying dishes with nutrients, texture and flavour. Providing crunch, sweet woody notes and a beautiful moreish nutty flavour, our Country Range Pine Nuts can help lift your summer salads, dips, pestos and pastas to new levels this August.
1. Crust is a must
Providing great flavour, functionality and a beautiful subtle crunch, pine nuts are my go-to nut for crusts. Very versatile – they’re great on crusts for meat or fish.
2. Punchy pesto
The classic Italian nut for a perfect pesto, my favourite pine nut pesto is one with wild garlic. It freezes well so make the most of the UK season and get foraging. It works wonderfully with pine nuts in a pesto.
3. Nuts for sweets
Another brilliant combination is fig and pine nuts. I love bringing these two ingredients together in all kinds of sweet treats but I particularly love making a Fig and Pine Nut Treacle Galette.
4. Set your tarts apart
Sometimes less is so much more and my Pine Nut and Honey Tart recipe epitomises this. Just a few ingredients but the combination of pinenuts and honey is a delight.
5. Dazzling dukkah
Dukkah has definitely grown in popularity and it’s easy to see why. It can be made in advance and used to great effect in finishing, boosting flavour and adding texture to finished dishes. I like to make an aromatic pine nut dukkah for finishing mezze dishes like baba ganoush.
ABOUT: Paulina Litwin, West Suffolk College Country Range Student Chef Challenge Winner
Helping to put Suffolk on the map as a hotbed of culinary talent, Paulina Litwin is one of the trio of talented chefs that scooped the Student Chef Challenge title at the HRC Show in March. Born in Krosno in Poland, Paulina is currently completing her VRQ level 2 in Professional Cookery at West Suffolk College. Already being tipped for big things, Paulina’s dream is to open her own bakery. Here’s her five ways with Pine Nuts.