How To Boil Peanuts

Boiling peanuts is a basic process that requires only a few ingredients (peanuts and water). Some raw peanuts may come with a brown skin. Therefore, it is recommendable to wash peanuts before cooking and be sure to drain them well.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound raw peanuts
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 4 cups water
• Seasonings of your choice

Instructions

Follow these instructions to start the boiling process.

1. Rinse the peanuts

Rinse the raw shell peanuts under cold running water. Next, use your hands to mix the peanuts, repeat the process to ensure you wash all the area and remove all residual dirt and debris.

2. Prepare the cooking liquid

Add your preferred spices and herbs to the large stock pot; boil the water and pour in the salt. When dissolved add salt and mix the mixture to ensure the equal distribution of the spices.

Once your liquid is ready, carefully add the clean peanuts to the pot. The water should cover the peanuts by about an inch - add more if needed.

3. Boil and reduce heat

Place the pot with the liquid on high heat and let the combination boil intensely. After a while, place the lid on the pot and decrease the heat to bring the liquid to a steady, slow boil.

This slow heat treatment toils the peanuts and does not cause the shells to crack.

4. Simmer and check for doneness

Allow peanuts to cook gently for 2 to 3 hours, stirring after the intervals of 30 minutes. After the 2-hour mark, it's time to begin taste-testing. Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove a peanut from the pot.

Let it cool for a minute, then crack open the shell. The peanut inside should be soft and easy to bite through, but not mushy. If it's still too firm, continue cooking and check every 15-30 minutes.

5. Drain and serve

Once the peanuts reach your desired tenderness, remove the pot from heat. Then, drain the peanuts in a colander and dispose of the liquid that the peanuts were boiled in.

If you plan to eat them right away, let them cool for about 5 minutes - they're delicious warm!

Stewing peanuts is not a complex process but it does require some time and certain knowledge and skills. On average, you'll need about 2-3 hours to transform raw peanuts into a soft, salty treat.

Start by filling a large pot with water and salt, then add your raw peanuts. Let them simmer. This will take you 1-4 hours to prepare depending on the freshness of your peanuts and the required softness level.

Once it has been cooking for two hours, start testing the doneness by tasting one peanut every thirty minutes. You are looking for something that looks like cooked beans and has a salty, nutty taste.

Peanuts that are fresh require a shorter time to cook than those that are not as fresh. If they have reached the desired softness, remove from heat, drain water and eat them hot or you can set aside and eat them cold later.

It is a time consuming process but the boiled peanuts are different from the peanuts bought from shop in terms of taste and texture.

Want to make the perfect batch of boiled peanuts? Here's how to nail it every time:

1. Start with fresh, raw peanuts. They'll cook faster and taste better than older ones.
2. Don't skimp on the salt! Use approximately ½ cup of salt per gallon of water. You can always adjust later.
3. Now add flavor boosters into the pot. You can add garlic cloves, a few splashes of apple cider vinegar or your desired spices to mix up the taste.
4. Keep those peanuts submerged. If they float, then use a heat-safe plate to weigh them down.
5. Have some patience. Go easy, go slowly is the phrase to bear in mind. Cooking it gently at a low boil will allow for the best texture.
6. Taste as you go. Begin to taste after half boiling time, about 2 hours, and then every ½ an hour till they are done.
7. Got a slow cooker? Use it! Use low heat and simmer for 8-12 hours for that foolproof slow cooker recipe.
8. Make a big batch. Given that boiled peanuts are freezer-friendly, you can take them any time you want.
9. Save that liquid gold. The cooking water can also be used for soups and stews.

Boiled peanuts offer a versatile canvas for various flavor profiles. Here are some exciting ways to elevate your boiled peanut recipe:

• Spicy Cajun or Creole: Spice things up using homemade Creole seasoning, or trying a fusion of paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. This spicy blend gives a complex pungent flavor of Southern United States.
• Old Bay: Use homemade Old Bay seasoning to give it taste of seafood boils. This rare seasoning brings deep, rich flavors to the nutty nuance of the peanuts.
• Greek-Inspired: You can even make your own homemade Greek flavoring to add a touch of Mediterranean flair. Fresh ground oregano, basil, thyme, and garlic blended make a nice and tasty snack.
• Zesty Lemon Pepper: Stir in freshly squeezed lemon juice and pepper flavoring to enhance the oily peanut nuttiness with a citrusy kick.
• Buffalo Style: Boil and put the peanuts through a bath of melted butter and hot sauce, for a buffalo wing-like taste.
• Taco Seasoned: When cooking from scratch, you can prepare the homemade taco seasoning mix (without the flour) adding a Mexican flair to your dish. Add this to boiling water.
• Sweet and Spicy: You can mix together honey, soy sauce, chili and ginger to give it that sweet yet spicy taste.
• Italian Condiments: Coat your peanuts with Italian herbs of rosemary, thyme, oregano, and garlic for aromatic, savory nuts.
• Barbecue: You can add dry BBQ spice to boiling water. Or simply toss the BBQ sauce after peeling and roasting the nuts for the smoky, tangy flavor.
• Honey Mustard: After boiling, throw the peanuts in honey and Dijon mustard for that sweet and tangy experience.

Proper storage extends the life of your delicious boiled peanuts. Here are some methods to help keep them fresh and delicious:

Refrigerator Storage:

You can store boiled peanuts in the refrigerator for up to a week. Place them in an airtight vessel, which assists to retain moisture and flavor. It is better to have peanuts as fresh as possible – boiled peanuts are best within a week.

Beyond that, roughly a week or so, they'll have started to get overly soft or even spoiled.

Freezer Storage:

For longer-term storage, boiled peanuts need to be frozen. Here is how:

• Let the peanuts cool completely.
• Store them inside a plastic freezer bag or any shallow, airtight freezer-safe container.
• Reduce as much air as possible before closing the packet.
• Label the container with the date.

Frozen boiled peanuts will last several months, maintaining quality and taste.

Thawing Methods:

When you are ready to enjoy your frozen peanuts, you will have several thawing alternatives:

• Refrigerator Thawing: Place the peanuts into the refrigerator and leave them to thaw overnight. This gentle method preserves texture and flavor.
• Defrost in the microwave for a quicker alternative. Place the nuts in a microwave-friendly bowl and defrost at the time of 5-10 minutes, flipping the peanuts halfway.
• Hot water bath: Place the container with your frozen peanuts sealed in a hot water bath. Change out the water as it cools down until the desired softness of the peanut is achieved.

Do you think boiled peanuts are just for snacking? Think again! More than one might realize, these soft, salty gems can do much. Here are a few tasty ways to use them:

1. Southern-style snacking: Enjoy them straight out of the pot, warm and salty. It's a classic for a reason!
2. Peanut hummus: Mash them together for a twist on the classic hummus preparation. For even more taste, stir in garlic, lemon, and olive oil into the recipe.
3. Stir-fry addition: Throw them into your preferred stir-fry dish for that tender relief with a merely nutty crunch.
4. Salad topper: Try using it chopped on salads as garnishing, or as a sprinkle to boost the protein content.
5. Soup ingredient: Include the grains on soup and stew dishes in order to make your dish more filling and tasty.
6. Peanut pesto: Substitute them for pine nuts the next time around when preparing pesto.
7. Boiled peanut butter: Ground them to a pulp for a distinctive paste that can be used for spreading on bread.
8. Taco filling: You can blend them with spices to create vegetarian tacos.
9. Pasta sauce: Use as a base for a smooth sauce when making a creamy and nutty pasta dish.
10. Savory oatmeal: Mix your boiled peanuts into oatmeal in the morning for protein boost.