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Hazel Nuts as “Water Chestnuts” - Well why not give it a go?

Hazel Nuts as “Water Chestnuts”

We have a large Hazel bust nearby and on Squirrels to pinch them, so at this time of year we have quite a good supply of very big nuts. They are the size of a small Conker this year. Apparently nuts have a demographic status in Chinese Cuisine….”Peanuts = Everyman - Hazel Nuts = Middle class and thriving - Walnuts = Elite and above”. So with the idea of using Hazel Nuts as a local and free alternative to Water Chestnuts we set about pottering yesterday.

Ingredients:-

A large bowl of foraged Hazel Nuts
A hammer or Nut cracker (I used a hammer on the kitchen floor!!!!)
Bicarbonate of Soda.

Method:-

(1) Preheat the oven to 250c.
(2) Lay the nuts on an oven proof tray in a single layer.
(3) Place in the oven for 20 minutes. Those which explode are the ones with no actual nut inside. Which saves you smacking them later!
(4) Remove the tray and cool enough to be able to handle the roasted nuts.
(5) Crack open and remove the roasted nuts and bin the shells.
(6) Boil a small pan of water with 2 table spoon of Bicarbonate of Soda and simmer the nuts for 10 minutes. Interestingly the water turns a dark purple…..
(7) Drain and cool.
(8) Once cool enough to handle the brown coating will rub away with ease.

Your roasted and cleaned nuts are now good to add at the beginning of a Chinese style stir-fry just after the Onions and Garlic. You can then set them aside and re-add at the end. They really do add a great flavour and crunchy texture.

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Ingredients for the Chicken:-

500g of Boneless Chicken thighs, cubed
120 Milk (Lactose free works fine) to soak the Chicken
3 Cloves of Garlic, minced
A thumb sized piece of Ginger, grated
1 Tbsp of Rice Wine
Cornflour to coat the Chicken
Salt & Pepper

Ingredients for the Sauce:-

1 Tbsp of Soy Sauce
3 Tbsp of Rice Wine
2 Tbsp of Cider Vinegar
1 Tbsp of Gochujang Paste (Gluten free for us)
3 Tbsp of Honey
2 Tsp of Sesame Oil
2 Tbsp of Brown Sugar
3 Cloves of Garlic, minced
A thumb sized piece of Ginger, grated
Salt & Pepper

Method:-

(1) Soak the Chicken in the Milk for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.
(2) Drain well.
(3) Add the Salt & Pepper, Rice Wine, Garlic and Ginger.
(4) Allow to sit for a further 30 minutes.
(5) In a pan add all the Sauce ingredients and stir well.
(6) Bring to the boil then reduce the heat.
(7) Simmer until the Sauce has thickened slightly and remove from the heat.
(8) Coat the Chicken pieces in Cornflour.
(9) In a fryer or a large pan fry heat Oil and fry in batches until lightly coloured.
(10) Remove and drain on kitchen paper.
(11) Fry again in a single batch until golden brown.
(12) Heat the sauce again and then add the Chicken stirring to coat.


This might not be the prettiest plate of food. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover and all that!

Garnish with chopped Peanuts, sliced Chilli and Sesame Seeds.

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