Achieving that crunch - no nuts

Miri1

Wed, Mar 04 2015, 1:43 am

There are all sorts of delicious salads recipes that use nuts. How do I achieve that crunch without the nuts? eg I'd like to make a green salad with pear, craisins and pecans - what could replace the pecans?

Simple1

Wed, Mar 04 2015, 1:50 am

That's a hard one. I don't know if they're crunchy because I never tried them, but I was thinking of French fried onions. I don't know if they have other ingredients and if they're gluten free.

imasinger

Wed, Mar 04 2015, 5:37 am

Here are some crunchy veggies. They may not taste like nuts, but still add a taam and a crunch.

Celery (bland)
Radish (sharp)
Jicama (sweet)
Carrot (sweet)

You could also choose a firm apple, and add some different flavors, like chickpeas.

imasoftov

Tue, Mar 10 2015, 4:54 am

Also watch out for the allergy to crunchiness
http://kitchenette.jezebel.com.....32973

Quote:

"I worked in an upscale Mediterranean place in Baltimore. One night I got a two-top with a woman in her 40's and her younger son. I started talking her through the menu and describing options (standard server script) and finally started talking about our artisan pizzas. She immediately interjected with "NO I can't do pizza! I have an allergy." I obviously inquired as to the type of allergy and how serious it was, to which she responded, "I have a crunchy allergy."

Now, I don't usually lose face, but I'm almost certain I looked, at the very least, deeply perplexed, so she tried to clarify: "Anything crunchy I am allergic to." I assumed she meant she has sensitive teeth or something, but this was a nice place, so I was required to make allergies known on every ticket, which resulted in our executive chef screaming to see me every time I rang some plate of crunchless whatever.

At the end of the meal they order dessert which was a custard, but it had a crispy "tuille" or cracker in it so I warned her, to which she responded: "Crispy is fine, it's crunchy I'm allergic to.""