5 creative ways with nuts

Although they’re delicious alone, there’s much more you can do with nuts than just snack on them, so we’ve come up with 5 creative ways with nuts to help you pack more of them into your diet. From making milk to creating rich desserts, the possibilities are boundless. And best of all, nuts provide us with a powerhouse of nutrients. From healthy fats to vitamins B and E, zinc, calcium and iron, there’s simply nothing to dislike about them. So go nuts with these ideas!

1. Make a nut milk

With a little bit of patience and time for preparation, you can easily make your own nut milks at home. As plant-based milks can be quite costly, making your own is a great way to save money. By soaking, blending and straining nuts of your choice, you can create a drink that’s creamy, sweet and delicious. There are so many variations and recipes for them on the internet that you’ll be able to start making your own in no time!

2. Add them to desserts

Raw desserts have become quite the food trend in recent months. By blending some cashews with simple ingredients such as coconut oil, a sweetener and flavour of choice, you can make a surprisingly rich and indulgent treat. Using nuts to make a dessert provides you with a healthy source of fats, and creates a dessert that’s easier to digest than your typical sugary treat. Being a chocoholic, we love making a nutty chocolate orange tart.

3. Blitz them in a smoothie

I love the taste of a fruity, refreshing smoothie in the morning. But sometimes it can be hard to feel satisfied after drinking one, no matter how many fruits or vegetables you pack into it. By adding a handful of nuts like almonds or cashews, you add a source of healthy fats that will leave you with more energy and feeling fuller for longer. It also provides the drink with a smoother texture and creamier taste.

4. Whip up a nut butter

Shop-bought nut butters often come with a hefty price tag, as well as containing unnecessary added ingredients such as palm oil and sugar. Nut butters are an easy way to pack nuts into your diet, and DIY-ing it allows you to create something that’s even more healthy and delicious than the jar you normally pick up at the supermarket. With just a high-powered blender, you can make new or classic flavours by using your nut of choice or choosing combinations, and adding ingredients such as cinnamon or vanilla.

5. Bulk out soups and sauces

Cashew nuts are truly amazing. If you’re looking to bulk up a soup or simply add a creamier taste, cashews make the perfect contribution. I like to add them to a rich tomato or mushroom soup for a creamy dish that fills you up and keeps you feeling healthy. You can also use cashews for making rich salad dressings or even as an alternative pasta sauce – I love using them to make a dairy-free mac and cheese. It’s truly amazing what you can make from such a simple ingredient!