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The Ultimate Guide to Roasting Peanuts: Achieving Crispness that Lasts, Retaining Aromatic Flavors, and Eliminating Oily Odor.

25 September, 2024

Choosing the Best Peanuts

To ensure your roasted peanuts turn out delicious, it’s important to select fresh peanuts. Opt for peanuts that are plump, with taut, shiny skins, and firm, dry, and consistent in size. Avoid any peanuts with a rancid smell or signs of mold.

It’s crucial to pick out and discard shriveled or moldy peanuts to maintain the flavor of the dish and protect your health.

Cleaning the Peanuts

While some might be tempted to skip this step and put the peanuts directly into the pan for roasting, it’s advisable to clean or soak them first. This helps prevent the peanuts from releasing oil, which can make them turn rancid and develop an unpleasant smell.

Place the peanuts in a colander and give them a quick soak, followed by a gentle rinse to ensure they’re clean. According to renowned peanut vendors in Hanoi, Vietnam, rinsing or blanching peanuts in boiling water is a common practice. This process helps remove dirt from the peanut shells, reducing any unpleasant odors and the bitterness of the peanuts.

Additionally, soaking the peanuts allows for gradual and even cooking, ensuring that the outside doesn’t burn while the inside remains raw. This method guarantees crispy and tasty peanuts that stay fresh for longer.

Roasting the Peanuts

Traditional peanut roasting involves using a pan. However, modern alternatives include using a microwave, oven, or air fryer, which can save time and effort.

If you’re using a pan, maintain a moderate heat level and stir frequently to ensure even cooking. For a traditional touch, you can use clean, dry sand from a river, stirring the peanuts and sand together in the pan. This technique results in evenly cooked and extra crispy peanuts.

Maintain moderate heat and stir frequently for the best results.

Some people add salt to the pan during roasting, which also helps with even cooking and adds flavor.

If you’re using an oven or air fryer, roast the peanuts at 150 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes. Then, take them out, give them a good stir, and return them to the oven or air fryer, reducing the temperature to 90 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes. Remember to stir and check on the peanuts occasionally.

For a quicker option, an air fryer can be set to 160 degrees Celsius for 5-10 minutes, depending on the quantity of peanuts.

When using a microwave, ensure the peanuts are thoroughly dried before placing them in. It’s best to roast the peanuts in small batches to ensure even cooking. Spread the peanuts evenly on a plate and microwave for about a minute, then take them out and stir. Repeat this process 2-3 times, or until the peanuts are roasted to your desired level.

Resting the Peanuts

Wrap the roasted peanuts in paper and cloth to maintain crispiness.

Once the peanuts are roasted, resist the urge to immediately pour them into a dish. Instead, use clean paper to wrap them, then cover them with a cloth. This helps maintain their crispness.

For a unique twist, try the Hanoi-style roasted peanuts with Chinese five-spice powder. After roasting, toss the peanuts with the powder (a blend of cinnamon, star anise, cloves, fennel, and Sichuan pepper, roasted and ground) and let them rest.

Let the peanuts rest for about an hour, or until they cool down. Then, store them in a clean jar for future snacking.