Toasting and Peeling Nuts

Toasting and then peeling nuts not only enhances and deepens their flavour, but also reduces their bitterness, especially walnuts.

Here’s an easy way to peel nuts of any kind before using them in your baking:

1. Spread the nuts out on a baking tray and place them in an oven preheated to 180°C/350°F (160°C/315°F fan-forced) for 8–10 minutes, or until lightly toasted and fragrant.
2. Tip the hot nuts onto a clean tea towel, wrap them up, and set aside for 5 minutes — the steam will help loosen the skins.
3. Rub the nuts through the tea towel to remove the skins.

With some nuts, such a walnuts, with their knobbly nature, It’s  often difficult to remove the skins completely. But if most of them look pale and naked, that’s perfect.

You’ll also find that with some soft nuts, like walnuts, the rubbing naturally breaks them into smaller pieces so you may not have to chop them before.

And remember, let them cool completely before adding to your mixture or grinding into a meal.