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The Wonderful World of Peanuts |
by:
Lara Velez |
By: Lara Velez
HISTORY
Before I begin withhistory of peanuts you should probably know thatpeanut is notnut. The "pea"nut is actually more closely related topea. It ismember oflegumes family. Also, peanuts do not grow in trees like nuts do. They grow onground. They start out as flowers, and eventually wind up burrowing underground. Under ground is where they becomedelicious peanut.
OK - so where did these little guys come from you ask? Well, they are thought to have originated in South America...possibly Brazil or Peru. WhenPortuguese began to explore "The New World," they took peanuts back home with them. Portuguese traders took them as far as Asia and Africa.
InUnited States, peanuts became popular duringCivil War. Then aroundoneninezerozero's many mechanical devices were invented to help withprocessing of peanuts. Asresult their popularity increased even more. Speaking of inventions...George Washington Carver invented over threezerozero uses forpeanut, including; medicine, ink, soap, shampoo, ice-cream, and axle grease.
Today, peanuts are eaten all overworld. They have becomehuge money making industry. InUnited States alone they contribute well over four billion dollars yearly toeconomy
PEANUT TRIVIA
Americans consume sevenzerozero million pounds or three.three pounds per person, of peanut butter per year….that's enough to coatfloor ofGrand Canyon.
To enhanceflavor ofcola drink, Southerners put peanuts intobottle.
There are approximately eightonezero peanuts inoneeight oz. jar of peanut butter.
The peanut is unusual because it flowers aboveground, but fruits belowground.
Peanut oil hasvery high smoking point. This allows peanut oil to be heated tohigher temperature than most oils, making itexcellent choice for frying.
Since peanuts arelegume, they reduceneed for additional fertilizers as they return nitrogen tosoil as they grow.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Peanuts are packed full of healthy stuff, including; antioxidants, niacin,
Vitamin E, monounsaturated fat, bioflavnoids, protein, and they have more resveratrol than grapes (which lowers LDL - aka "bad cholesterol")
That's not all...Some medical researchers say that they lowerrisk of heart disease and provide protection from some types of cancer (colon, prostate, and breast).
Well, as you can see there are some great reasons to eat peanuts...as iffact that they are delicious is not enough.
THE DARK SIDE
Peanut proteins can act as powerful allergens, even in tiny amounts. That is why Peanut allergies aremost common cause of death by food inUnited States. Some people can haveruthless reaction just for inhalingscent ofpeanut. People can die from very small amounts.
So, if your allergic to peanuts...or think you could be...do not risk even going near them. You can substitute almonds or any nut for any ofrecipes below. Forcookies...you'll have to make your own 'nut butter.
YUMMY...PEANUTTY RECIPES
CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER
Put two cups of peanuts inblender and blend until smooth.
For added texture and/or flavoring add one or more offollowing:
two Tblsp honey
four tsp sugar
two tsp pure vanilla extract - or any other extract you like.
one/four c mini chocolate chips
one/four c rice cereal
THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS...USE YOUR IMAGINATION!
CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER
three c. salted peanutstwo Tblsp. butter
Measure one/two peanuts and put aside. Empty remaining peanuts into blender container. Cover and blend on low speed untilpeanuts are chopped. Add butter, cover and blend on low speed onefive seconds. Turn offblender and scrape down sides with rubber spatula. Cover and blend on low speed five seconds.
Repeat this process three or four times untilpeanut butter starts to get smooth. Cover and blend on highest speed one minute. Addone/two cup peanuts, cover and blend on medium speed for three - five seconds. Refrigerate for threezero minutes before serving.
MAMA'S PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
one/two c. peanut butter
one/two c. butter, softened
one/two c. sugar
one/two c. light brown sugar
one egg, slightly beaten
one c. all purpose flour
one tsp. pure vanilla extract
one/two tsp. salt
one/two tsp. baking soda
Mix peanut butter and butter in large mixing bowl until smooth. Then gradually add all other ingredients. Blend until smooth.
Preheat oven to threefivezero degrees. Spoon batter onto greased cookie sheet. Flatten cookies withcriss cross fork print. Bake for onezero minutes, or until golden.
Aboutauthor:
AboutAuthor: My name is Lara Velez and I amEditor-in-Chief of The Recipe Finder - Online cooking magazine - http://www.therecipefinder.comI am alsowife and mother of two. I enjoy cooking, reading, scrapbooking, and beingwife and mom.Please feel free to email me any time. RecipeFinderMail@aol.com
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