Pecans are tasty choices which can be splendid in each savory dishes and desserts. Like fruits of different members of the hickory genus of timber, pecans aren’t actually nuts, however drupes. A drupe is a fruit with a single stone or pit surrounded by a husk. With pecans, the outer husk dries out and splits open, exposing the “nuts” inside.
Georgia, New Mexico and Texas are the main home producers of pecans, however Mexico grows almost half of the world’s pecans. Pecans are heart-healthy and wealthy in antioxidants, a number of nutritional vitamins and minerals, and a superb supply of wholesome fats. As well as, one ounce of pecans gives 10 % of the really helpful day by day fiber consumption.
Cookies might by no means be thought-about “well being meals,” however there are methods to make them extra nutritious. The addition of useful components like pecans can just do that. This recipe for “Cowboy Cookies” from “Stay Effectively, Bake Cookies” (Rock Level) by Danielle Rye contains oats, pecans and coconut within the combination, including taste and dietary enchantment.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon floor cinnamon
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups old style rolled oats
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed gentle brown sugar
- 2⁄3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 massive eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 3⁄4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup chopped pecans (see baking tip)
1. In a big mixing bowl, whisk collectively the flour, baking soda, floor cinnamon, and salt till nicely mixed. Stir within the old style rolled oats and put aside.
2. Within the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a big mixing bowl utilizing a handheld mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar collectively for 1 to 2 minutes, or till nicely mixed.
3. Combine within the eggs, one by one, then combine within the vanilla extract till absolutely mixed, ensuring to cease and scrape down the perimeters of the bowl as wanted.
4. Combine within the dry components till simply mixed, then combine within the chocolate chips, shredded coconut and chopped pecans on low pace till absolutely included.
5. Cowl tightly and refrigerate for no less than 1 hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line massive baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and put aside.
7. Utilizing a 11⁄2-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the cookie dough onto the ready baking sheets, ensuring to go away slightly room between every one. Gently press every ball of cookie dough right down to barely flatten it.
8. Bake for 10 to 13 minutes, or till the tops of the cookies are set and the sides are flippantly browned. Take away from the oven, and permit the cookies to chill on the baking sheets for five to 10 minutes, then rigorously switch the cookies to a wire rack to chill fully.
9. Retailer the cookies in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as one week.
Baking tip: For much more taste, strive toasting the pecans. Simply cool them fully earlier than including them to the cookie dough.
