How to Toast Pine Nuts

Pine nuts are a small buttery type of nut. Toasting them just brings out more of that nutty buttery flavor and gives them a nice golden brown color.

Photography by Heaven on Hearth

Toasting pine nuts is quite easy and really doesn’t take much time. All you need are the pine nuts and a non-stick skillet. Toss the pine nuts in the dry non-stick skillet over medium low heat. Just make sure that they are in one layer in the pan. Shake the skillet every now and then to ensure that they don’t burn. Once you smell that buttery nutty scent and they are nicely golden brown, they are done. Transfer them to a plate once done and leave to cool.

I used 1/3 cup of pine nuts and toasted them for 4 minutes.

Toasted pine nuts are so versatile. They are great in soups, salads, pasta sauces and pesto. Voilà. This is also used in my Basil Pesto.

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Fabulously Summery Flavored Simple Syrups (Minty Mint, Very Berry Blueberry and Aromatic Rosemary)

Summer has arrived and the heat is on! The time has come to enjoy the fabulous rays of summer sun, while sipping on a chilled drink, lounging by the pool, a lake or at the beach. Soaking in all the goodness that summer has to bring. Sit back relax and enjoy a nice cold beverage packed with flavor and it doesn’t take long at all.

Simple syrup is such a quick and easy thing to do. It’s an easy way to sweeten and flavor your drinks.

Photography by Heaven on Hearth

Minty Mint Simple Syrup

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 cup mint leaves

Sugar and Mint

In a saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil. Stir to ensure that all the sugar has melted. Remove from the heat and add 1 cup of mint leaves. I also like to add the stems, since they too are very flavorful. Let steep for 10 minutes before straining, then just leave to cool. When cooled, pour in a glass bottle and keep refrigerated. Use when needed. This makes 1 cup of minty mint simple syrup.

This is great in my Blueberry Mint Mojito and Blueberry Mint Fizz.

Very Berry Blueberry Simple Syrup

Very Berry Blueberry Simple Syrup

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

½ cup blueberries, crushed

Blueberries and Sugar

Bring sugar and water to a boil. Stir to ensure that all the sugar has melted. Add ½ cup blueberries that you crush before adding to the boiling syrup. I find crushing the blueberries before adding to the boiling syrup gives the syrup that beautiful bold color. Boil for another 5 minutes, then remove from the heat and leave in the hot liquid for another 5 minutes before straining, then just leave to cool. When cooled, pour in a glass bottle and keep refrigerated. Use when needed. This makes 1 cup of very berry blueberry simple syrup.

This is great in my Blueberry Mint Mojito and Blueberry Mint Fizz.

Aromatic Rosemary Flavored Simple Syrup

Aromatic Rosemary Flavored Simple Syrup

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 heaping tablespoon rosemary leaves

Rosemary and Sugar

Bring sugar and water to a boil. Stir to ensure that all the sugar has melted. Add 1 heaping teaspoon of rosemary leaves. Boil for another 5 minutes, then remove from the heat and leave in the hot liquid for another 5 minutes before straining, then just leave to cool. When cooled, pour in a glass bottle and keep refrigerated. Use when needed. Voilà! It’s done! This makes 1 cup of aromatic rosemary simple syrup.

This is great in my Strawberry Rosemary Mojito and Strawberry Rosemary Cooler

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