MESQUITE - THE CARAMEL SUPERFOOD + SALTY CARAMEL PECANS

What can I say. These roasted pecans were so unbelievably smoky sweet caramely salty praline delicious that we ate them all in one sitting. Not particularly 'Health Yeah'... but I don't regret it one bit. If you happen to possess more self control than I, you can sprinkle these nuts on just about any dessert you can think of. Vanilla ice cream or baked apples would be right up there with the best flavour combinations ever. The pecans will, theoretically, keep in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks, although mine never made it past day one.

You'll need

1 cup raw pecan nuts
2 tbsps pure  maple syrup
2 tsp mesquite powder
1 tsp cinnamon
134 tsp salt

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C with the rack in the middle.
  
• Place pecans in a single layer on baking paper, in a roasting tray.
  
• Roast until fragrant about 10 minutes, remove from oven and reduce temp to 150 degrees.
  
• In a bowl mix maple, salt, mesquite and cinnamon.
  
• Fold the mixture through the roasted pecans, spread into a single layer and return tray to the oven.
  
• Bake pecans for 25 minutes.
  
• Remove and let the nuts cool completely before devouring.

MYSTERIOUS MESQUITE

What is Mesquite Powder?

Mesquite powder is another of nature's fabulous sweeteners, ground from the pods of the mesquite plant, found in dry, arid areas of the Americas, Asia and Africa. It has a distinctive nutty, cinnamon, mocha, caramel flavour, while the hardwood of the mesquite plant has long been used by Native Americans to add a smoky sweetness to grilled/barbequed food.

Thriving in arid, dry conditions and endowed with needle-sharp thorns - you don't wanna mess with Mesquite! An extremely hardy, drought-tolerant plant, it helps prevent desertification and provides a sustainable economic alternative to cutting down trees for grazing or charcoal production.

Health Benefits of Mesquite

• 15%-17% protein
  
• High in calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc and lysine (an amino acid also found in tomatoes)

• High in soluble fibre (25%) – which slows the release of sugar into the blood stream.
  

• Low Glycaemic Index of 25, making it an excellent sugar substitute
  

• Prevent desertification – through encouraging the planting of trees in arid areas.

Adding Mesquite to Your Diet:

Mesquite powder is an excellent addition to smoothies, used alongside cacao, in cooked or raw desserts and baking, or stirred into food or drinks for extra flavor and nutrients.

• Smoothies: Just a spoonful of mesquite adds a sweet, rich flavor to smoothies - best with creamy nutty ingredients
  
• Breakfast: check out Oprah's Raw Mesquite Chia Pancakes Recipe
• Baking: You can substitute between 1/4 and 1/2 the flour in a baking recipe with mesquite powder for added flavor and nutrition, and reduce the recipe's other sweeteners - given mesquite’s naturally sweet flavor
• Mesquite is also the business in raw desserts
• Nativas Naturals have a bunch of awesome Mesquite Recipes here