From creamy curries to deletable desserts, nut butter adds that certain something to just about any dish. We reveal how easy it is to substitute it for dairy products and the myriad of uses it has in the kitchen.
Whether made from almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, peanuts, chestnuts, walnuts, pistachios or sesame seeds (tahini) – nut butter basically contains exactly the same things as the superfood itself: plenty of protein and fibre, abundant amounts of minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc plus essential fatty acids.
To produce the healthy butter, the nuts are simply roasted and ground. While whole nut kernels are confined to serving as a crunchy topping for dishes, they open up completely new possibilities as a creamy paste. Nut butter is not only a delight to eat alone but is also an ideal ingredient for cooking and baking.
Whether in smoothies, desserts, spreads or savoury dishes such as vegetable bakes or stews –nut butter enhances almost every dish, giving it a creamy, full-bodied nutty note.
If you are looking for an alternative to animal products such as butter, cream and cheese, nut butter opens up new culinary perspectives. The versatile paste allows both savoury and sweet dishes to easily be made vegan-friendly. As a healthy source of fat, nut butter also ensures the flavours of spices can fully develop.
You can easily whip up a vegan chocolate cream with nut butter, cocoa, sugar and soy mlik cream. A blob of nut butter added to the mix refines every cake. A warming baked apple filled with nut puree is juicy and crispy at the same time and added to porridge or muesli, brings a certain something to your breakfast fare. A classic hummus dip is unthinkable without its characteristic tahini, but other varieties of nut butter can be swapped in to create more exotic spreads and dips. The easy-to-digest cream also gives sauces, soups and curries a beautiful aroma and just the right creaminess. Vegetable milk is also easy to make yourself with the help of nut butter.
Regardless of whether you follow a plant-based diet, the culinary potential of nut butter is limitless. Let yourself be inspired and experiment for yourself!
The Falstaff team wishes you the best of luck and every success in the kitchen!
