Silly Q: Can I toast nuts ahead of time?

[SallyT]

I'm using toasted nuts for my pecan pie and stuffing - can I toast them a day or two before I make the dish?

Thanks!

[vabelle35]

I know that I always do that for my county fair and holiday baking and it seems to work fine for me.

[wallycat]

I don't see why not.
I buy roasted pecans or roasted cashews and they are yummy.

[Canice]

No problem, but I would suggest you wrap them tightly in plastic wrap to keep them crisp - or just put in a sandwich bag and squeeze out the air.

[testkitchen45]

Originally Posted by SallyT

I'm using toasted nuts for my pecan pie and stuffing - can I toast them a day or two before I make the dish?

Thanks!

You can toast them WAY before & freeze them if you want to. But even if you do them just a little bit beforehand (probably the better idea), be sure to let them cool by spreading them out on a plate (no trapped steam), and be sure they're 100% cool b4 wrapping them (same thing: steam).

[SallyT]

great - thanks for the tips - I did let them cool completely, and then wrapped them tightly.

Another question - why do recipes tell you to toast WHOLE nuts, and then chop them? I always toast nuts that I've purchased pre-chopped.

[testkitchen45]

Originally Posted by SallyT

great - thanks for the tips - I did let them cool completely, and then wrapped them tightly.

Another question - why do recipes tell you to toast WHOLE nuts, and then chop them? I always toast nuts that I've purchased pre-chopped.

I purchase the biggest possible shelled pieces, chop them, then toast them. This maximizes surface area for toasting (as opposed to toasting the big chunks). I'm not aware of recipes that tell you to toast, then chop, but I can see the benefit in that, too: once they're chopped, you do run the risk of having a bunch of powdery stuff in the pan when you're toasting them, & that ultra-fine chopped-nut powder burns easily.

Also, I don't buy pre-chopped nuts b/c who knows when they were chopped? I imagine that the less processing done to the nuts b4 purchase, the fresher they'll taste.

[SallyT]

I think that your surface area and freshness ideas make sense.

Here's an example of a recipe that asks you to toast the nuts, then chop -

Cooks' Illustrated TNBR Triple Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie

http://community.cookinglight.com/sh...d.php?t=131188

1 cup whole pecans (4 ounces), toasted and chopped into small pieces

[SheRa]

i just saw an article about that - pre-toasting and storing them in mason jars. let us know how it works out for you!