Hazelnuts Recipes - AFTouch-Cuisine
Small, round and deliciously sweet, the hazelnut is a faithful friend to our kitchen. Often, we think of it only for chocolate or spread, but that's a grave injustice to this little dried fruit that deserves so much better! In reality, the hazelnut is a true culinary pearl, capable of elevating dishes as varied as a simple winter salad or an elegant soup, even a sautéed foie gras.
Originally from Asia Minor, the hazelnut settled in Europe since Antiquity, particularly in the South of France and Piedmont. The Turks, major world producers, call it "fındık" and have made it a central ingredient in their cuisine for centuries. But it was in the West that the hazelnut truly found its nobility, particularly in Italy and France. They say it was in the Middle Ages that monks began incorporating hazelnut into their pastries, giving birth to traditions that endure to this day.
What makes the hazelnut so precious to a chef is its delicate and slightly sweet flavour, accompanied by a crunchy texture that holds up even after roasting. Unlike other dried fruits, it doesn't overpower flavours, it accompanies them with elegance. Rich in quality lipids, proteins and fibre, it holds its own nutritionally against its more publicised cousins. Roasted, crushed or ground into fine powder, it adapts to all our culinary whims.
On AFTouch-Cuisine, we've composed for you a delicious journey around this remarkable ingredient. Begin by exploring our Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Hazelnuts, an autumnal creation where roasted hazelnut comes to dance with the earthy sweetness of Jerusalem artichoke. For fish lovers, the Cod with Hazelnuts will show you how this dried fruit can magnify the most delicate of white fish. And if you wish to impress your guests, the Roasted Scallops combines crushed hazelnut with the nobility of the seafood, a classic revisited with boldness.
The most indulgent won't miss our Bread Pudding with Roasted Hazelnuts, a revisited comfort food that transforms leftovers into a delight. As for the Soft Pumpkin Cake, it plays subtly on the complementarity between the autumn sweetness of squash and the creaminess of hazelnut. As Nathalie Domaine Arros got it right in her enthusiasm for our creations, our recipes don't hesitate to marry unexpected flavours for a result that's always harmonious.
We also offer you more surprising creations: discover the Sweet and Savoury Corolla where hazelnut mingles with sweetness with relish, or let yourself be seduced by the Balkani with Hazelnuts, a dish rich in Mediterranean traditions. For a quick and refreshing meal, our Orange Grapefruit Onion Salad benefits from hazelnut crunch that adds texture and depth.
The hazelnut is waiting for just one thing, that you discover or rediscover it. So, without further ado, roll up your sleeves and let this little dried fruit inspire you. You'll find that beneath its modest appearance, the hazelnut hides a true power of flavours and extraordinary versatility. Happy cooking!
