ROASTED CASHEW NUTS

     Roasted Cashew Nuts - Another Nut Recipe for my sweet little boy, who is a Nut Lover.  When it comes to snacking, my son has a special preference for Roasted Nuts.  If you are an ardent fan of Nuts then this Roasted Cashew Recipe is sure to nab you down.  I can never miss the Roasted Cashews they sell at Coimbatore Shree Annapoorna Gowrisankar.  Perfect snacks with a mild note of  Ghee and spices added into it. Roasting the Cashew Nut brings out a naturally rich flavour.
      I remember the good old days, we break open the whole Cashews with shells at our Grandmother's place.  The farm was full of Cashew Trees and when the season falls the trees will be loaded with the exotic smelling Cashew fruits in hues of Yellow, Orange & Red.  The whole place would be filled with a strong sweet smell of the fruit.  My Grandfather would warn us not to touch the fruit, as the resin in the fruit has Caustic substance which can blister the skin. He would carefully pluck few fruits, snap off the Nut/Seed which hangs at the ends of the Cashew Fruit and carry it back home.
     After snapping off the Nut/Seeds from the fruit, we get into the next process of breaking open the shell of the Nut.  The seed is surrounded by a double shell containing a caustic resin, a skin irritant. So strict orders would be given to us not to try opening it on our own, he would not even allow us to touch the Kernels.  He would create a pile of sand and cover the Cashew Nut Kernels inside the sand. Next, he creates an open fire with few twigs and woods over the pile of sand. The idea is to roast the Nuts in the fire.  In the meantime, we can hear popping-up sounds and a unique smell wafting out from the burning of Caustic Cashew Nut Oil.  The caustic oil is spurted out from the shells when heated and the sand will absorb most of the oil and also prevents the oil from spurting out. Once the Kernels are roasted, he will put off the fire and would carefully remove the Roasted Kernels with tongs from the burnt pile of sand.  Then he will break open the burnt Kernels with a wooden hammer, remove the Cashew Nuts from within and give it to us.  The scenarios with lingering memories of smell, taste and experience are quite afresh in my mind.
     Cashews can be roasted and served as a snack.   There are quite a number of way to get this recipe done.  Deep-fried, stir-fried, roasted/oven-roasted, baked and also you can get easy with the way it is seasoned. Apart from the basic roasted Cashew Nuts and you can also prepare Masala & Flour coated Cashews, Roasted with Honey/Sugar Syrup/powdered Sugar for a sweet version, Cashews roasted with herbs for an extra note of aroma in it, or simply add Salt and Spices to the Roasted Cashews.  Though Cashews are mostly roasted in a deep-fried/shallow fried(stir-fry) method, which yields perfectly crispy Cashew Nuts.  It can also be Oven Roasted or roasted over a skillet without Oil/Ghee for a completely healthy snack.
     I have given a few methods in which Roasted Cashews can be cooked.  Choose your preferred method and give a try to this guilt-free snacking item.

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Recipe - Snack
Spice Level - Low
Difficulty - Medium
Yields - 2 Cups
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 5 Minutes
Cooking Time - 10 - 15 Minutes

HOW TO MAKE ROASTED CASHEW NUTS

ROASTED CASHEW NUTS

Method 1: Stir-Fry

INGREDIENTS :

Salt - To Taste

METHOD :

• Heat Ghee in a Pan.
• Add Cashew Nuts and roast it on a low flame until well roasted.
• Roast the Cashew Nuts until it gets evenly coloured into light golden brown in colour.
• Line it up on clean Paper Towels and cool it down.
• Add Salt to the roasted Cashew Nuts and toss it well.
• Store it in an airtight container.

NOTES :

Can use Vegetable Oil/Margarine instead of Ghee.

Method 2: Deep-Fry

INGREDIENTS :

Cashew Nuts - 2 Cups

METHOD :

• Heat Oil in a Pan.
• Deep fry the Cashew Nuts on a medium-low flame until well roasted.
• Deep fry until Cashew Nuts gets evenly coloured into light golden brown in colour.
• Remove the fried Cashew Nuts with a slotted spoon and line it up on a Paper Towel.
• This will help absorb any excess oil from the fried Cashew Nuts.
• Allow the Cashew Nuts to cool down.
• Add Salt to the roasted Cashew Nuts and toss it well.
• Store it in an airtight container.

Method 3: Dry Roast in a Skillet/Pan

INGREDIENTS :

Cashew Nuts - 2 Cups
Salt - To Taste

METHOD :

• Heat the skillet/pan on a medium flame.
• Lower the flame and add the Cashewnut into the skillet/pan.
• Gently roast the Cashew Nuts on a low flame until well roasted.
• Roast the Cashew Nuts until it gets evenly coloured into light golden brown in colour.
• Switch off the flame and allow the Cashew Nuts to cool down.
• Add Salt to the roasted Cashew Nuts and give a quick toss.
• Store it in an airtight container.

Method 4: In an Oven

INGREDIENTS :

Cashew Nuts - 2 Cups
Salt - To Taste

METHOD :

• Preheat your oven to 180 °C(325°F).
• Spread the Cashew Nuts evenly on a large baking tray, preferably in a single layer.
• There is no need for greasing the tray.
• If needed, you can line the tray with a parchment paper.
•  Roast the cashews in the oven on the middle rack for about 3-5 Minutes. 
• After 5 minutes, remove the Cashew Nuts from the oven and give a quick stir.
• This helps in reducing the risk of burning.
• Return the tray to the Oven and roast the Cashew Nuts again for about 7-8 Minutes.
• Roast the Cashews until it is evenly roasted and turns into light golden brown in colour.
• Stir frequently at intervals.
• Once done remove the Cashew Nuts from Oven and allow it to cool.
• Add Salt to the roasted Cashew Nuts and give a quick toss.
• Store it in an airtight container.

NOTES:

• While Roasting the Cashew Nuts in an Oven, can toss it with a little bit of Oil.
• Can also spray Salt-water solution and allow it to dry before roasting it in the Oven.
• This way the Nuts get evenly coated with Salt.

ROASTED CASHEW NUTS

NOTES :

• Once the Cashew Nuts are well roasted it would release a strong pleasing aroma.
• Roast the Cashew Nuts until the Nuts are evenly roasted and change into light golden brown in colour.
• I have used whole Cashew Nuts in the recipe.
• Can also use Cashew Nuts pieces, instead. 
• Care should be taken while roasting the Nut, as Cashew tend to burn quickly.
• This is a basic Roasted Cashew Nut recipe with Salt.
• Can season the Roasted Cashew Nuts with preferred Spices like Red Chilli Powder, Chilli flakes, Pepper Powder, Chaat Masala, etc., and herbs like Curry Leaves, Rosemary, etc.,
• Sprinkle powdered Sugar for a sweet version of Roasted Cashews.
• Add the seasonings/sugar once the Cashew Nuts have cooled down.
• Once cooled down, transfer the Roasted Cashew Nuts into a clean airtight container.