Nougat is one of the sweets that many have loved, which is used both as a filling of sweets and other confectionery products, and as an independent dessert. This recipe for nougat involves the use of completely natural products and a very large number of nuts. Our article is for those who prefer sweets prepared on their own. We will tell you about the recipe for nougat at home and share the secrets of its preparation.
About nougat
Sweet viscous mass - a favorite treat of true sweet tooth - took its name from the Latin word nux, meaning the word "nut" in translation. And such a name is justified, because nuts are almost the basis of this dessert. The traditional nougat recipe that came to us more than six centuries ago includes honey, roasted hazelnuts or walnuts (sometimes almonds), and egg white. The structure of the dessert can be both light and airy, and rigid. For additional aroma and taste, vanilla, cinnamon, citrus zest and other spices are added to it.
Today, nougat is made with peanuts, chocolate, dried fruits and many other ingredients, and in general, the nougat recipe has become a little different. For example, Mars or Snickers chocolate bars also have nougat. But now its modern composition includes corn syrup, gelatin and starch, which completely contradicts the true recipe. But in the days of the Soviet Union, on the shelves you could meet nougat-toffee, cut into pieces and packed in parchment.
Appearance story
It is still unclear which country is considered the birthplace of nougat. According to one source, this is the Middle East, namely Iran. After all, there still exists a recipe for a treat that is as similar as possible to nougat, which has several centuries since its creation. But the Italians are proud of the legend about the creation of this dessert. It says that the nougat recipe was invented by a pastry chef who made a cake on the occasion of the wedding of Maria Visconti with the Duke Francesco Sforz, held in 1441. Nougat served as a kind of gluing between the many layers of high and heavy cake with a tower "Torrone". And since then, Italians still call the nougat "torron" or "turon".
Homemade nougat recipe
The independent process of making nougat is quite complicated and moderately troublesome. Moreover, not everyone can cook it on the first try.
So how to make nougat at home? There are two main types of this delicacy - white and dark. The first has a more lush and delicate structure, made from egg white and honey. The second type of nougat has a caramelized sugar base , due to which a dark color is obtained. Consider a recipe for traditional nut nougat.
To prepare it, you will need:
- 250 g of natural honey;
- 100 ml of water;
- 800 g of sugar;
- 600 g of nuts;
- 4 egg whites
- 2 tbsp. l vegetable oil.
Sugar, honey and water are combined in a saucepan and put on low heat, stirring constantly. Bring the temperature of the mass to 170 degrees. For the convenience of cooking, it is best to use a kitchen thermometer. While the syrup is being prepared, begin to beat the egg whites to steady peaks. Then, without turning off the mixer, gradually pour the sugar-honey syrup to the proteins. Beat until the bases are completely mixed, then turn off the mixer and add nuts to the rapidly thickening mass. Use roasted almonds, cashews or hazelnuts. Pour the finished mass into a pre-prepared and greased form, then send it to the refrigerator for a couple of hours.
Beneficial features
It is worth talking about the benefits of nougat only if the dessert is made from natural products without the use of dyes, flavors and preservatives. For example, white nougat, prepared on the basis of honey and egg white, is an excellent source of proteins, enzymes, vitamins, fruit acids, minerals and amino acids. Even a child can be treated with such sweetness quite calmly (provided that he has no allergy to honey). Due to its high carbohydrate content, nougat energizes and boosts mood. Which is also important for both children and adults. A couple of pieces of this sweetness over a cup of tea will certainly relieve fatigue and add strength during a busy day.
Harm
Despite the storehouse of nutrients Nougat possesses, consume it in moderation. When you include it in your daily diet, teeth begin to suffer first. Due to the high sugar content that accumulates between the teeth even after brushing, nougat is an excellent medium for the development of caries.
Another important fact about nougat is its high calorie content (more than 400 kcal per 100 g). Excessive consumption of this dessert leads to a risk of obesity and diseases of the digestive system. Dysbacteriosis, accelerated aging of skin cells, acne - all this is also caused by a high sugar content in the body. And the constant use of sweets increases the load on the pancreas, which, in turn, provokes diabetes. That is why a sense of proportion should be respected in everything.
Finally
In this article, we shared with you the recipe of nougat in its traditional design. Be sure to try to cook it and please your loved ones. Don't be afraid to experiment and make your own ingredients, creating unique recipes. Cocoa, dried fruits, pieces of chocolate and even biscuit, candied fruits - this and much more can very well become a component of your author's homemade nougat.