Let's GO NUTS! - In the spotlight: Peanuts/Groundnuts

Contrary to popular belief, emerging research suggests that nuts are actually good for all of us!

“Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.”

According to FDA, types of nuts eligible for this claim are restricted to almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, some pine nuts, pistachio nuts and walnuts.

Nuts are a great source of protein, packed with fibre, calcium and iron and fat, but the good fat (mono and polyunsaturated fats). In fact, as I read up more an more about the nutritional benefits of nuts, I was increasingly convinced that having a handful of nuts regularly is akin to popping a multi-vitamin pill! Just follow this link to get more details on the nutrients packed in nuts.

In addition to the health benefits, nuts impart, for lack of a better word, a lovely nutty flavour and a great texture to the food they are added to. Have them straight out of a bowl or add them to salads or curries or pasta or cookies and cakes - they can be eaten in so many versatile ways!

So why don't we all get cooking with nuts?

Announcing my first ever event - Let's go nuts!

In the spotlight for this month - Peanuts/Groundnuts

Conversation (and drinks) flow easily with a bowl of peanuts, it seems! World over, there are countless restaurants that will serve peanuts, steamed or roasted as munchies, especially with drinks.

When I think peanuts, I am reminded of the time when we (the husband and I while we were dating) used sit at Marine Drive. Almost always, we would buy some piping hot peanuts from the hawkers there who would roast them in huge woks. They were cheap and filling, and we would chat for hours, the sound of cracking the shells adding a lovely crunch to our conversation!

But peanuts are much more than chat and drink accompaniments. Technically, they are not nuts - but, surprise, surprise - legumes! And they pack in quite a punch in just a handful. The list of nutrients found in one ounce of peanuts is so long that I don't think I can list them here!! Just read this - I was so amazed!!

So let's all go nuts with peanuts this month!

To participate:

- Just post a recipe - just about anything - with peanuts in your blog between now and Jan. 31st, 2009 with a link to this announcement. Old posts (re-posted linking to this event) are welcome. Non-bloggers, please send me a mail with a photo. And of course, multiple entries are (very) welcome.

- Mail your entry (with the subject as Let's Go Nuts) to aquadaze@rediffmail.com with the following details:
your blog name
name of your entry
URL of your entry
a picture of your entry

I don't have a logo yet, but hope to set that right soon.

And hey you guys, I do realise this is a huge leap of faith for a new and relatively unknown blogger like me, but I am counting on your support (in the form of entries) to make this event a success.