Among the many ways to eat peanuts, boiling is the best. Boiled peanuts are the simplest and most scientific way to eat peanuts, as they can perfectly preserve the nutritional value of peanuts and taste very delicious.
I. Analysis of Benefits
Peanuts are sweet in taste and neutral in nature, entering the spleen and lung meridians. The nutritional value of peanuts is higher than that of grains and can be compared with some animal foods such as eggs, milk, and meat. Peanuts contain vitamin E and a certain amount of zinc, which can enhance memory, resist aging, delay brain function decline, and moisturize the skin. The vitamin C in peanuts can lower cholesterol, helping to prevent and treat arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. Peanuts also have the effects of strengthening the body, tonifying deficiency, pleasing the spleen and harmonizing the stomach, moistening the lungs and resolving phlegm, nourishing and regulating qi, promoting urination to reduce swelling, stopping bleeding and promoting lactation, and clearing the throat and stopping malaria.
II. Method
1. Wash the peanuts with water until there is no sediment at the bottom.
2. Gently press the front end of each peanut with your thumb and index finger to create a small crack. Do this for all the peanuts so that they can absorb the flavor more easily when boiled.
3. Put the prepared peanuts into a pressure cooker.
4. Add water, using a 1:1 ratio of water to peanuts.
5. Add a piece of cinnamon stick and two star anise (if you like a stronger flavor, you can add other spices you have at home; if you like it spicy, you can add a few dried chili peppers to boil together).
6. Add 4 tablespoons of salt, about 20 grams. For one jin (500g) of peanuts, 10 grams of salt is appropriate.
7. Stir the peanuts with a spatula to evenly mix the salt with the peanuts.
8. Cover the pot and cook for 20 minutes. After cooking, do not open the lid immediately; let it sit for another half an hour before opening.
9. Take out the peanuts, drain the water, and they are ready to eat. The remaining peanuts can continue to soak in the brine; the longer they soak, the more flavorful they become.
III. Friendly Tips
1. Be sure to wash the peanuts thoroughly until no sediment settles in the water, otherwise they won't be salted peanuts but muddy peanuts!
2. Before boiling the peanuts, gently press the front end of each peanut with your thumb and index finger to create a small crack. This way, the flavor of the broth can easily get inside, and the peanuts will become flavorful quickly.
3. Do not discard the water used to boil the peanuts. Keep the peanuts soaking in this brine and just take some out when you want to eat them.
4. For any leftover peanuts, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Pour some of the boiled peanut brine over them before storing to prevent them from drying out and affecting their texture.