Dinner: Betty's Caramel-Walnut Monkey Bread

Betty demonstrates how to make Caramel-Walnut Monkey Bread. This bread is easily made from canned, cut-up biscuits, flavored with sugar and cinnamon, and layered with a sauce made of butter, brown sugar, and English walnuts. It is gorgeous, and tastes wonderful! In this video I mentioned that you can find a similar video for making Monkey Bread at Amy's Kitchen at the usafireandrescue channel. I highly recommend Amy's channel, and I hope you will visit. (I know many of you are subscribers to her channel already!) Amy's Monkey Bread is heavenly! Here is my version: Caramel-Walnut Monkey Bread 1 cup firmly-packed brown sugar 1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans) ¾ cup butter, melted (2) 12-oz. cans refrigerated biscuits (Keep them cool while working with your ingredients.) 1 ½ cups white sugar 2 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon (Note: You may be able to get by with less white sugar and cinnamon. You could try just half as much and then mix up more, it needed.) cooking oil spray In a small mixing bowl, combine 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup chopped walnuts, and ¾ cup melted butter. Stir well, and set aside. Place 1 ½ cups white sugar and 2 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. Close the top, holding it together with your hands and shake the bag until the mixture is well-blended. Now, open your refrigerated biscuits, and remove the biscuits from the first can. Separate the biscuits from each other, and cut each biscuit into four equal quadrants. Place the biscuit pieces all at once (or a few at a time) in the bag of sugar and cinnamon. Shake well to coat biscuit pieces. Place the biscuits evenly in a ring in a Bundt cake pan that has been sprayed with cooking oil spray. Spread one-half of the caramel-walnut mixture over this first layer of spiced biscuit pieces. Now, open the second can of biscuits, and repeat the process, ending with the remainder of the caramel-walnut sauce on top of the second layer of spiced biscuit pieces in the Bundt cake pan. Place the pan of layered spiced biscuit parts and sauce in an oven that has been heated to 350 degrees. Bake 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Immediately invert the Caramel-Walnut Monkey Bread onto a nice cake plate. (You will want to choose a plate that has a lip around the edge, so that sauce will not drip off the plate.) Serve immediately. Monkey bread is served by pulling individual pieces from the warm bread...Yummy! Please subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/bettyskitchen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NEW Cookbook:  "Betty's Kitchen Cookbook:  2013 Recipes" (c) 2014 Also available:  "The Betty's Kitchen Collection:  Second Edition" (c) 2013 *Both can be ordered from http://www.amazon.com or http://www.createspace.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Betty's Website:  http://www.bettyskitchen.us ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Other places to watch Betty's Kitchen: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/bettyskitchen/166973502092 Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/bettyskitchen/bettyskitchen/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Myshine Google :  https://plus.google.com/108882445101872897307/posts ifood.tv:  http://www.ifood.tv/bettyskitchen Roku:  http://www.rokuguide.com/channels/betty's-kitchen​

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Nuts, Walnuts

Health benefits of Betty's Caramel-Walnut Monkey Bread

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060). Nuts are a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS). Inositol can effectively control the symptoms of PCOS by reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity.

Walnuts are an excellent addition to the diet for managing PCOS symptoms. These nutrient-dense nuts are packed with healthy fats, protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. But what makes walnuts particularly beneficial for individuals with PCOS?

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Walnuts are one of the best plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Reducing inflammation is crucial for managing PCOS symptoms, as chronic inflammation can exacerbate hormonal imbalances. Omega-3s also support heart health, which is important since women with PCOS are at a higher risk of cardiovascular issues.

Magnesium

Walnuts are rich in magnesium, a mineral that plays a key role in regulating insulin levels and improving insulin sensitivity. Magnesium also helps reduce inflammation and supports muscle and nerve function. Adequate magnesium intake can help manage blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, which is commonly associated with PCOS.

Fiber

The high fiber content in walnuts helps regulate digestion and maintain stable blood sugar levels. Fiber also promotes a feeling of fullness, which can aid in weight management, a crucial aspect of managing PCOS. Including walnuts in your diet can help prevent overeating and support digestive health.

Antioxidants

Walnuts are loaded with antioxidants, which help protect the body from oxidative stress and damage caused by free radicals. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with PCOS, as oxidative stress can worsen symptoms and lead to further health complications. Antioxidants in walnuts support overall health and can help mitigate some of the negative effects of PCOS.

Incorporating Walnuts into Your Diet

You might wonder, "How can I include walnuts in my meals?" Here are some ideas:

• Snacks: Enjoy a handful of walnuts as a quick, nutritious snack.
• Salads: Add chopped walnuts to your salads for a crunchy texture and added nutrients.
• Oatmeal: Sprinkle walnuts on top of your oatmeal or yogurt for a healthy and satisfying breakfast.
• Baking: Incorporate walnuts into your baking recipes, such as muffins, bread, or cookies, for a nutritious twist.

Another common question is, "Can I eat walnuts every day?" Yes, you can include walnuts in your daily diet, but moderation is key. While walnuts are high in calories due to their fat content, these are healthy fats that provide numerous health benefits. Aim for a small handful (about 1 ounce) per day as part of a balanced diet.

Sustainability

Walnuts are also a sustainable food choice. They are grown in various regions and have a lower environmental impact compared to many other nuts. Choosing walnuts supports sustainable farming practices and provides a nutritious, eco-friendly option for your diet.

In summary, walnuts are a highly nutritious food that offers numerous health benefits for managing PCOS. Their omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, fiber, and antioxidants support heart health, reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, and promote overall well-being. With their versatility and delicious taste, walnuts are an excellent addition to any diet focused on PCOS management.

Ingredients

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Instructions

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