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What can you do with peanuts? -

The humble peanut is far more than a salty bar snack. Indeed, its potential as a cooking ingredient is extraordinary. So, what can you do with a handful of peanuts?

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Beef steak with peanut sauce -

Propose a marriage of succulent beef steak with a rich, creamy peanut sauce and garnish of broccoli, asparagus, and brussels sprouts, and live happily ever after. 

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Peanut poke bowl -

For a tasty summertime treat, throw together over sushi rice some diced cucumber, chopped red pepper, and slices of beetroot sprinkled with sweet corn and peanuts. Chopsticks are optional!

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Peanut brittle -

The old favorite, peanut brittle was supposedly invented purely by accident in 1890 when a woman somewhere in the southern states of America attempting to make boiled candy inadvertently added baking soda to the recipe instead of cream of tartar. Two years later, the term "brittle" appeared in print for the first time.

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West African peanut soup -

This scrumptious supper dish idea owes more than a nod to the authentic west African soups and stews that make liberal use of peanuts or groundnuts. This version cuts corners by using organic unsweetened peanut butter. Other ingredients include onion, sweet potato, and chopped tomatoes, with heaps of tangy herbs and spices. Garnish with celery or coriander (cilantro).

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Sea bass with peanuts -

Salty peanuts are a fabulous flavor component and always work well with fish. Consider reeling in Mediterranean sea bass with a peanut crust served on a bed of brown rice accompanied by crunchy veg slaw and flavored with cilantro, lemon, ginger, a smidge of chili, and a sprinkling of mixed herbs.

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Salted caramel round cake with peanuts -

How about this to round off a dinner? Sprinkle finely chopped roasted peanuts over the top of a salted caramel round cake and you're good to go. 

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Butternut pumpkin hummus with peanuts -

Enjoyable year round but especially tempting in the fall, spicy butternut pumpkin hummus with peanuts works as a delightful side dish to roasted meats, or as a mouthwatering dip. For the best results, create using extra virgin olive oil.

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Chocolate cake with peanut butter -

When diet is a dirty word, bite into a slice of dark chocolate layer cake with peanut butter. Use an intense full-bodied chocolate of at least 70% cocoa and indulge with impunity.

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Milk fudge with roasted peanuts -

Got a sweet tooth? Well, a couple of homemade milk fudge cubes mixed with roasted peanut halves should do the trick.

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Sweet potato and carrot soup with peanuts -

A lovely winter warmer idea, this homemade sweet potato and carrot soup with chili and ginger is decorated by sour cream and sprinklings of hot roasted peanuts. Serve with wholegrain crackers.

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Barbequed chicken with peanut sauce -

For a light, healthy lunch, why not serve up barbequed chicken tenders wrapped in lettuce drizzled with a rich and creamy Thai peanut sauce?

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Coleslaw salad with chopped peanut -

There are many variations of the coleslaw recipe. The base ingredient is finely shredded raw cabbage. Add to the mix shredded carrot, red or green pepper, onion, and thinly sliced tomato. Top with chopped peanuts and garnish with sprigs of parsley. An optional side dish of homemade peanut butter works wonders.

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Peanut butter kiss cookies -

The description alone just melts your heart, doesn't it? These peanut butter desserts are famous for their chewy peanut base. But the soft chocolate middle is equally desirable.

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African chicken peanut stew -

Besides soups, west African nations are also celebrated for their peanut-based stews. Chicken is the main protein ingredient, kept company by sweet potatoes, okra, and a side dish of steaming hot rice.

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Homemade peanut cookies -

Serve up a dish of homemade peanut cookies to family and friends and see their faces light up. Here's a tip though: don't overbake! These cookies are best when they are still soft and just barely brown on the bottoms.

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Grilled chicken skewers with peanut sauce -

A variation on the classic chicken satay recipe, this option showcases grilled chicken skewers served with a super smooth fried peanut dipping sauce complemented by cucumber, lemon and lime, onion, and parsley. Crown with chopped peanuts for extra texture.

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Peanut butter cheesecake -

Just when you thought cheesecake couldn't get any better, along comes this lip smackin' option. A homemade cookie crust is layered with peanut butter, sour cream, and more peanut butter that is melted and drizzled over the top. Add a handful of chopped peanuts for good measure and wait for the angels to sing.

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Maple syrup peanut pancakes -

Who doesn't like maple syrup pancakes? But get this: top them off with crunchy peanuts and banana slices for a palate-pleasing dessert.

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Chicken salad with peanuts -

This healthful chicken salad idea is heightened by the addition of lightly sautéed leek, fresh arugula, sprouted beans, and warm crunchy peanuts.

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Pomelo salad with peanuts -

Pomelo salad is a fresh traditional Thai culinary offering that can easily be prepared at home. Pomelo is a citrus fruit similar in taste to pineapple. Additional ingredients include chili, lime, coconut, garlic, fish sauce to taste, and peanuts, preferably skin on for an extra fiber boost.

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Soba noodle bowl with peanuts -

The soba noodle is a Japanese staple. Noodles are served either chilled with a dipping sauce or hot in a noodle soup. This version includes tofu with chives and chopped peanuts.

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Salad with peanut hummus -

A super simple summer salad idea, this hummus and avocado match goes great with a few leaves of iceberg lettuce and a handful of lightly salted peanuts.

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Peanut butter cups -

Be careful: you could eat half a dozen of these and still come back for more! Delightfully-named peanut butter cups are usually made with milk chocolate rather than richer dark chocolate. But hey, who cares?

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Quinoa with peanuts -

For a wholesome healthy snack, knock together a bowl of quinoa, spelt (wheat), and a host of crunchy peanuts, almonds, and pistachios. Moisten with a soy and ginger dressing.

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Peanut and caramel gâteaux -

How do you make gâteaux even better? Stuff it with salted caramel, peanut butter, and vanilla ice cream. Guilty pleasure personified.

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Peanut milk -

Magnesium- and potassium-rich, peanut milk is packed full of protein and is vegan, kosher, and dairy-, cholesterol-, hormone-, and lactose-free. In other words, it ticks all the healthy and dietary needs boxes.

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Apple, banana, and peanut smoothie -

Honesty, what's not to like about an apple and banana smoothie with granola, caramel, and peanut butter?

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Peanut masala -

Another fantastic snack idea from the Indian subcontinent, peanut masala is made using an enticing variety of herbs and spices mixed with a flour paste and coated onto the outer shell. The peanuts are then baked until crispy brown. You can also deep fry them.

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Peanut dipping sauce -

A wonderfully versatile all-round condiment, peanut dipping sauce is a cinch to prepare and complements all sorts of sweet and savory dishes, though of course it's most commonly associated with satay, which originated in Java, Indonesia.

Sources: (American Peanut Council) (Mobile Cuisine) (National Peanut Board)

See also: More than 50 of the best tasting sauces in the world

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