Vegan cooking with pistachios: 5 ideas to try
What's the story
Pistachios, besides being delicious on their own, can add a burst of flavor and vibrant green color to a variety of vegan dishes. From adding crunch to salads to being the secret ingredient in dairy-free desserts, pistachios can turn even the simplest recipes into gourmet masterpieces. In this article, we will look at five creative ways to use pistachios in your vegan cooking.
Pesto twist
Pistachio pesto perfection
Vegan Pistachio Pesto Give traditional pesto a vegan and nutty upgrade by replacing pine nuts with pistachios. Simply combine one cup of shelled pistachios, two cups of fresh basil leaves, three cloves of garlic, half a cup of olive oil, and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese in a food processor. Blend until smooth for a deliciously robust sauce that's perfect with pasta or as a spread on artisan bread.
Soup innovation
Creamy pistachio soup
For a bowl of comfort that's anything but boring, whip up a batch of creamy pistachio soup. Saute one chopped onion and two cloves of garlic in olive oil until translucent. Add four cups of vegetable broth, one cup of shelled pistachios, salt, and pepper to taste. Simmer for 15 minutes, then blend until smooth. Serve hot with a sprinkle of chopped pistachios for added crunch.
Tofu transformation
Pistachio crusted tofu
Take tofu to the next level by coating it in crushed pistachios for a satisfying crunch. Simply press and slice firm tofu into eight, dip in soy milk, then coat in a mixture of ground pistachios, breadcrumbs, paprika, and garlic powder. Pan-fry or bake until golden for a crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside main dish.
Dessert dream
Vegan pistachio ice cream
Make a fancy vegan ice cream with ripe avocados as the secret ingredient for creaminess without the cow! Just blend two ripe avocados, one cup canned coconut milk, three-fourths cup sugar or maple syrup, one teaspoon vanilla extract, and half a cup shelled pistachios until smooth. Freeze overnight and serve scoops with whole or chopped pistachios on top for that extra touch of elegance.
Baking bliss
Sweet pistachio crumble bars
If you enjoy baking (vegan) as much as I do, you're going to love these sweet pistachio crumble bars. Start by combining oats flour and coconut oil for the crust, then press it into a pan. For the filling, blend crushed pineapple, maple syrup, cornstarch, and lemon juice together, then stir in whole pistachios. Top with a mixture of oats flour, brown sugar, and crushed pistachios. Bake until golden.