Martha Bakes Season 4 Episode 4 Nuts

Martha Bakes is a cooking and baking show hosted by renowned American chef Martha Stewart. Each episode is dedicated to exploring a different baking technique, ingredient, or theme. In season 4, episode 4, Martha dives into the world of nuts and showcases how to incorporate them into a variety of sweet and savory baked goods.

The episode begins with Martha highlighting the different types of nuts and their unique flavors and textures. She then demonstrates how to make a classic nut brittle using almonds and hazelnuts. The brittle is made by cooking sugar over high heat until it caramelizes and then mixing in the nuts. Martha explains the importance of using a candy thermometer to ensure the sugar reaches the correct temperature for the perfect brittle. She suggests pairing the brittle with a creamy chocolate mousse for a decadent dessert.

Next, Martha moves on to showcasing how to use nuts in savory dishes. She makes a hearty kale and walnut pesto that can be used as a spread or sauce. Martha shows how to properly blanch the kale and toast the walnuts for maximum flavor. She also explains how to make a classic French dish, called chicken grand-mere, using a mix of dried apricots, prunes, and toasted almonds. The dish is slow-cooked in red wine for a rich and flavorful meal.

Returning to the sweet side of things, Martha demonstrates how to make a festive holiday cookie, the Mexican wedding cookie. The cookies are made with ground almonds and dusted with powdered sugar for a beautiful and delicious presentation. Martha suggests using a cookie press to get the perfect shape and size for the cookies.

Martha then moves on to show viewers how to use nuts in bread baking. She makes a delicious whole wheat bread featuring a mix of toasted walnuts and raisins. Martha demonstrates the process of kneading the dough and how to properly shape and score the bread before baking for a beautiful crust and airy interior.

To end the episode, Martha bakes a southern classic, the pecan pie. She explains the importance of using a mixture of brown sugar and corn syrup for the filling and demonstrates how to properly arrange the pecans on top for a beautiful presentation. Martha suggests serving the pie with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Overall, Martha Bakes season 4 episode 4 is a wonderful showcase of the versatility of nuts in baking. Martha provides helpful tips and techniques for incorporating nuts into both sweet and savory dishes and highlights the unique flavor and texture they bring to any recipe.