I just found a little cookbook my Aunt Annie had hidden away inside a larger cookbook—My Macadamia Nut Recipes. I couldn’t resist. On the first page the author tells me I ought to try somethin’ different, especially if I want to become a super chef. Well I do! So I read on.


There are recipes in this neat book for appetizers, salads, soup, entrees, vegetables, garnishes, desserts, cookies, candies, snacks, breads, and breakfast ideas. They all sound delicious. And who knew the exotic macadamia nut had so much potential?

But before trying any out, I thought I’d check out the health benefits of this nut (hoping there would actually be some). I wasn’t disappointed. Macadamia nuts (which are actually a seed, by the way) are considered the world’s finest nut. They’re a delicious snack food that garners high marks for flavor and crunchy texture.

The story doesn’t end there, however. Macadamias are full of goodness. They provide a wide range of beneficial compounds. They are a high energy food, full of protein and fiber and loaded with other important nutrients that, in concert, impact favorably on human health. For instance:

• They lower heart disease risk (especially helping with high cholesterol).
• They improve metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
• They help prevent cancer.
• They protect the brain.
• They help prevent weight gain.
• They stave off hunger.

And to top that off, they’re loaded with antioxidants, phytochemicals, minerals (iron, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium), monosaturated fats, and vitamins (A and E especially).


And get this, because macadamia nuts have no significant carb-content, they therefore have no effect on blood sugar levels. It has a glycemic load per food serving of 0! Nuts are "slow-burning" foods that provide sustained energy due to their good fats and protein content. Eating a handful of nuts can lower insulin resistance, according to Harvard researchers, who discovered that eating nuts can lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 20%.

(And just FYI: Besides macadamia nuts, other healthy nuts are are almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, peanuts, pecans, and walnuts. Nice!)

Of course, you can use the macadamia nut just as you would any other nut…in cookies, muffins, atop iced cakes, cinnamon rolls and pancakes/waffles and mixed into your morning oatmeal. They’re also delicious when blended into fruit smoothies. Then there’s adding them to your homemade granola and energy bars recipes. But surprise of surprises: I just saw a recipe for macadamia nut hummus. Who knew?


And one of the most tempting ideas is to chop them up, mix them with some butter and Panko crumbs and coat your fish before baking.

Convinced? Me too, so let’s try somethin’ different this winter. And to launch this nutty pursuit, try a delicious dip or side dish, made with spinach, macadamia nuts, and cream cheese.