Cooking with macadamia nuts can indeed be a treat! However, many people sometimes end up using these nuts improperly, diminishing their true potential in the dish. Over roasting or burning the nuts is a common mistake. This can lead to a bitter taste, ruining their buttery flavor. Make sure to roast them in a moderate oven (350F) for 10–12 minutes, or until they're light golden and fragrant.
In baking, most people tend to simply fold the nuts into the batter, which can cause them to sink to the bottom during cooking. To prevent this, lightly dust the nuts in flour before adding them to your mixture.
Getting the most from macadamia nuts involves a little finesse. When crushing the nuts for coating or garnishing, don't overdo it. Leave some bigger chunks, as this adds a delightful crunch and aesthetic appeal to your dishes.
A little-known trick when buying macadamia nuts: always choose whole nuts instead of pre-chopped versions, as they maintain their quality and taste longer. Roast and chop them as needed, this way, the oils are released only when you want them to be and they can be more easily absorbed by the dishes.
Remember, because of their high oil content, macadamia nuts can absorb other flavors easily. So, always keep them separately in a sealed container if you want to maintain their unique, buttery tasty.
Can you eat raw macadamia nuts?
Do I need to soak macadamia nuts before eating or cooking with them?
How do I roast macadamia nuts?
Why are my macadamia nuts sinking in my baked goods?
Can macadamia nuts be used in savory dishes?
Are macadamia nuts good for my health?
How can I add macadamia nuts to my diet?
How do I store macadamia nuts?
Can I replace other nuts with macadamia nuts in a recipe?
Why are macadamia nuts expensive?