Roasted Salted Cashews

May

This month's selection, the cashew, is an edible nut, and is the seed of the tropical American cashew tree, Anacardium occidentale, which is a member of a large family, Anacardiaceae, of which only a few species (sumac, poison ivy, the smoke tree) are found in the temperate zone. The cashew is a large evergreen tree that reaches heights of 9-12 m (29-39 ft). The leaves are oval and leathery; the rose-tinted, fragrant flowers grow in clusters at the ends of young branches. The nut is kidney shaped, the size of a large bean, and borne beneath a yellow or orange fruit called a cashew apple. The apple is edible and can be fermented to make wine. The outer covering of the fruit contains an extremely caustic oil that must be burned off before the nut can be touched. The kernels are then boiled or roasted again, and a second shell is removed. The nut is used as a food, as a source of food oil, as a flavoring. The tree yields a gum that is the basis of a special varnish used to protect books and woodwork from insect damage.

The cashew tree is indigenous to the West Indies, Central America, Peru, and Brazil. The Portuguese transplanted it to the East Indies as early as the 16th century, and it was later established on the eastern coast of Africa. Today, the leading cashew-producing countries are India, Brazil, Nigeria, and Mozambique.

DONALD K. OURECKY

Oriental Stir-Fry Chicken and Cashews

  • 2 tablespoons dry sherry
  • 1 egg white; pinch of salt
  • 1 pound chicken breast, cubed
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce;  1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil ;  2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 2 green peppers, seeded and cubed
  • 1 cup mushrooms, cut in quarters
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • quarter-size piece of ginger, finely chopped
  • 4 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cashews

Make marinade by combining sherry with the egg white and salt; marinate chicken for 2 hours. Combine hoisin and soy sauce with sesame oil and set aside. Coat wok with canola oil and heat. When the oil is very hot, lower the heat slightly and stir-fry peppers for one (1) minute. Add mushrooms, garlic, ginger and scallions, and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Increase the heat, add chicken, and toss well. Pour in the sauce and cook for 1 minute or more to coat and cook chicken thoroughly. Stir in nuts for the last 30 seconds and serve immediately over sticky rice.

Chow Mein with Tofu and Cashew

  • 1 package Soba noodles
  • 6 oz (180g) firm tofu – cut into cubes
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce;  2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil;  2 tablespoons peanut or canola oil
  • 1 carrot - julienned
  • 2 cups small broccoli florets
  • 2 cups shredded cabbage
  • 2 cloves garlic – minced (crushed)
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated ginger
  • 1/2 cup cashews

Cook Soba noodles as per package instructions. Drain and set aside. Mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and water in a bowl. Heat a wok or large frying pan over a high heat. Add th peanut oil and stir-fry the carrot and broccoli for 2 minutes. Add the tofu and stir-fry for 2 more minutes. Add the cabbage and stir-fry a further 2 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for one additional minute. Stir into the noodles, add the sauce mixture and cashews and mix until thoroughly combined and heated through.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 3 tbs (30g)

Amount per Serving

Calories:

170 Calories from Fat 120

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% Daily Value*

Total Fat 14g

22%

Saturated Fat 3g

14%

Cholestorol 0mg

0%

Sodium 0mg

0%

Total Carbohydrate 9g

3%

Dietary Fiber 2g

7%

Sugars 2g

Protein 5g

Vitamin A 0%

Vitamin C 0%

Calcium 0%

Iron 4%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000
calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher
or lower depending on your calorien eeds:

Calories

2,000

2,500

Total Fat

Less than

65g

80g

Saturated Fat

Less than

20g

25g

Cholestorol

Less than

300mg

300mg

Sodium

Less than

2,400mg

2,400mg

Total Carbohydrate

 

300g

375g

Dietary Fiber

 

25g

30g

Calories per gram:

Fat 9

Carbohydrates 4

Protein 4
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