tim-from-pa
Member
- Aug 4, 2005
- 4,716
- 435
Had to take a side-step from my medical sarcasm and actually post a simple recipe here. I think I posted this before, but considering the holidays coming up, is a good time to revisit this.
1. Being careful, cut a slit in the round side of each chestnut with a bread or steak knife. A serrated knife of some type is best so it does not slip as easily and is safer.
2. Cover the chestnuts with cold water in a sauce pan-- add a pinch of salt and bring this to a simmer.
3. Scoop them out with a strainer and place on a baking pan and into a pre-heated oven at 425F and bake for 15 minutes.
4. Once the 15 minutes are up, remove them and let sit under a towel for another 15 minutes. They are now ready to serve.
The slit you made acts as a way to not only prepare the chestnuts, but also as a way to peal them open similar to pistachios. You just pry them apart and eat the "meat" inside. Usually the shell comes off easily, but sometimes they stick and you have to work at it. It's nothing you did wrong! Each chestnut is different. Chestnuts are very starchy and expensive, so about 3 per guest is probably enough (such as for Thanksgiving dinner). They are bigger and more filling than initial appearances suggest.
1. Being careful, cut a slit in the round side of each chestnut with a bread or steak knife. A serrated knife of some type is best so it does not slip as easily and is safer.
2. Cover the chestnuts with cold water in a sauce pan-- add a pinch of salt and bring this to a simmer.
3. Scoop them out with a strainer and place on a baking pan and into a pre-heated oven at 425F and bake for 15 minutes.
4. Once the 15 minutes are up, remove them and let sit under a towel for another 15 minutes. They are now ready to serve.
The slit you made acts as a way to not only prepare the chestnuts, but also as a way to peal them open similar to pistachios. You just pry them apart and eat the "meat" inside. Usually the shell comes off easily, but sometimes they stick and you have to work at it. It's nothing you did wrong! Each chestnut is different. Chestnuts are very starchy and expensive, so about 3 per guest is probably enough (such as for Thanksgiving dinner). They are bigger and more filling than initial appearances suggest.
But some of us don't have that open fire place (I have passive solar and oil heat). But most of us have ranges and toaster ovens.