CREAMS OF FRUIT AND OIL SEEDS

Let us be surprised at every bite by their rich texture …

WHICH SEEDS and OILY FRUITS CAN WE USE FOR OUR CREAMS?

NUTS: ◇ cashews ◇ peanuts (they actually belong to the legume family) ◇ almonds ◇ bitter almonds ◇ walnuts ◇ Brazil nuts ◇ macadamia nuts ◇ pecans ◇ hazelnuts ◇ pine nuts ◇ pistachios ◇
OIL SEEDS: ◇ hemp ◇ sunflower ◇ poppy ◇ sesame ◇ pumpkin ◇

WHY PREPARE AT HOME THE CREAM OF FRUIT AND OIL SEEDS?

Every home preparation allows total control over fats and salt usually used excessively in products already packaged, not to mention the quality of seeds and oily fruits that should always be fresh, from organic farming, not toasted, unsalted and free of added sugars to benefit from all their nutritional properties.

We can have total freedom of choice in terms of taste, density, aromas and combinations.

HOW TO PREPARE CREAMS

INGREDIENTS FOR A NEUTRAL CREAM

Basic ingredients for a cream with a consistency similar to a spreadable cheese:

- 140 g of cream or whole fruit and oil seeds
- 40 ml of water

INGREDIENTS FOR SALT CREAM

For a savory sauce, add to the neutral cream ingredients:

- 20 ml citrus juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt, optional

INGREDIENTS FOR A SWEET CREAM

For a sweet sauce add to the ingredients of the neutral cream:

- 1 teaspoon of honey or agave or maple juice

INGREDIENTS TO AROMATE SALT CREAM

On the doses indicated above you can add one of these ingredients:

- 2 tablespoons of dried herbs
- 1 teaspoon of spices

INGREDIENTS TO AROMATE A SWEET CREAM

On the doses indicated above you can add one of these ingredients:

- 1/2 teaspoon of bitter cocoa
- 1/4 f teaspoon of coffee powder
- 1/4 of natural vanilla bean
- 50 g of chocolate

HOW TO MIX THE INGREDIENTS:

Without appliances:

Who does not own a blender or a mixer can start from a cream of fruit or oil seeds ready, you can easily find good quality creams on the market that contain unroasted fruit and oil seeds, without salt and sweeteners.
◇ For a salty cream. In a bowl with a fork, mix the salt in the acidic part, in this way you will be sure that it will melt completely and spread evenly. When the salt is dissolved completely add the rest of the ingredients.
◇ For a sweet cream. In a bowl with a fork, mix the chosen sweetener with water, in this way you will be sure that it will melt completely and spread evenly. Gradually add the rest of the ingredients by mixing well.

Using a mixer:

If you start from unroasted nuts or shelled oil, soaking them in water is essential to reduce them to cream and, at the same time, activate their enzymes and take advantage of their health.
Each seed and fruit has a different time to soak in this post you will find all the indications.
◇ After soaking, drain your fruits or oil seeds (soaking water should never be used)
◇ rinse them very well under running water by placing them in a narrow mesh strainer
◇ pour the seeds or oily fruits and the rest of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth
◇ take a break every minute, so as not to overheat the ingredients.

HOW TO STORE THE CREAM

In a jar closed in the refrigerator for a month at most.
Before consuming, they should be brought to room temperature and mixed very well because the oily part can separate from the rest of the ingredients and settle on the surface.

HOW TO AROMATE NEUTRAL CREAM WHETHER ‘ALREADY IN REFRIGERATOR

If the neutral cream is already in the refrigerator, before flavoring it or enriching it with other ingredients, it should be brought to room temperature and mixed very well. The oily part can separate from the rest of the components and settle on the surface and prevent a homogeneous aromatization.

IF YOU WANT TO USE IT TO DECORATE YOUR PREPARATIONS WITH A PASTRY POCKET

Prepare the cream immediately flavoring it, then let it firm in the fridge in a pastry bag.

HOW TO USE THE CREAMS

Savory creams can:

- be spread on any baked product (bread, buns, wraps) or raw food preparations such as wraps
- garnish canapes
- stuff tarts with the base already cooked

Sweet creams can:

- prepare spoon desserts
- be the creamy part of the cheesecake, naturally not to be cooked in the oven but fired in the fridge

I have given you just a few examples, experiment and enjoy yourself.