Disclosure: By posting this pairing I am entering a contest sponsored by Pistachio Health Institute and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.
Ever wonder what goes well with in-shell pistachios? I have, and I know the answer. I’ve been in the kitchen playing with pistachios! Why? Because the folks over at the Pistachio Health Institute challenged us Recipe ReDux bloggers to come up with a creative pairing using in-shell pistachios.
So…what is the perfect pairing for in-shell pistachios?
Dates: Have you tried dates stuffed with pistachios? So simple, yet so addictive. And delicious. Seriously, I had to stop myself from eating all of these dates before I could take the pictures. I absolutely love Medjool dates with pistachios — and you will, too!
Smoked salmon: I really wanted to combine salmon with the pistachios, especially after making my pistachio cream last week. I never realized how well the two flavors work together. I decided to roll the salmon in mozzarella balls to make it a really satisfying bite, and then I sprinkled chopped pistachios over the top for a salty crunch.
If you haven’t discovered in-shell pistachios, you should! They are a staple in my house. Norah loves to snack on them (keeps her hands busy) and you can always find them in the pantry. I like the huge bang for my calorie buck when it comes to snacking on these little guys. A typical one-ounce serving is 49 nuts! That’s a hefty little snack. They’re great for feeding husbands, too. That nifty little shell makes it a bit more work for him to eat the entire bag in one sitting. This concept was actually tested in a study. People who ate in-shell pistachios consumed 41% fewer calories than those who ate pistachios without shells. So yes, it’s probably wise to keep those empty shells in full view as a visual reminder of how much you actually ate.
Besides the snacking factor, I also love that pistachios are easy to cook with. You can add them to sauces, homemade snacks, and throw them in salads.
