Pistachios For Desserts | Ask Nigella.com (2024)

Our answer

Nigella uses chopped pistachios in several desserts, such as the Pear, Pistcahio And Rose Cake (from AT MY TABLE) or as a vivid green garnish for recipes such as the White Chocolate Cheesecake. For these recipes the pistachios are "raw" pistachios, i.e. shelled and unsalted pistachios.

For Nigella's recipes, sweet or savoury, where the ingredient is stated as just "pistachios" it refers to raw pistachios and the quantity given is for the nuts alone, excluding the shell. Roasted pistachios are usually salted and sold with the shells still on. These are better for just eating than for cooking, as the salt levels can vary and can affect the taste of the finished dish.