What can I do with chestnut paste?

[brendastarlet]

On a quick trip to Paris, I was charmed by little cans of chestnut paste (they came four cans in a little container.) I was thinking it might be a Nutella like substance, but I have no idea what to do with it. Any ideas?

[NO SLICE]

Serve a scoop of chestnut paste alongside a little creme fraiche for a simple and delicious dessert.

[WCchopper]

Since your chestnuts are from Paris:
http://fxcuisine.com/default.asp?lang...

[howboy]

chestnut paste is one of my favorite things...the easiest way to enjoy it is to spread it on good vanilla ice cream, topped with chocolate sauce.
You can also slice a pound cake in half (horizontally) and use the chestnut paste as a filling, then glaze the top and sides of the cake with dark chocolate, sprinkle top with pistachios.

[maria lorraine]

oh, that sounds mouthwatering...please make some for me right now...

[fluffernutter]

We had both sweetened and unsweetened chestnuts left over from a photo shoot last winter, so I just had this same dilemma.

If it's not sweetened, Spicy Chestnut Soup
http://www.recipezaar.com/45458

If it's sweetened, Chestnut Swirl Coffeecake
http://www.recipezaar.com/289405
Both are easy and good./

[maria lorraine]

It makes the best cake in the world, or use it as a filling in a tart:
tart crust, chestnut paste, fruit....

Amazing ice cream. That's a great suggestion.

[CuriousCat]

I've had it as a cake filling, in a light sponge-style cake with not-very-sweet, dense whipped-cream like dressing. If you're a baker, the recipe for the cake would be something like these: http://www.chinese-forums.com/showthr...

[purple goddess]

use it to stuff a turkey. Some crispy bacon bits, some tarragon and chestnut paste!

[Emme]

I make a butternut squash pie with a maple chestnut cream underneath the squash layer... if you want the recipe...

[brendastarlet]

That sounds amazing, yes please!

[Emme]

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/274778
Enjoy!

[buttertart]

See my post on an amazing chestnut tart I found: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/520620
You also need chestnut purée (unsweetened) and cooked chestnuts, but both are fairly easily come by in fancy foods stores or online.
This recipe is to die for.

[Peg]

It is NOT Nutella like. Not even remotely!
Try heating it with milk chocolate, cool, stir in whipped cream (and stiffly beaten eggwhite for lightness). Yummy chestnut mousse.
Is it sweetened? If not I'm sure you can use it in meat dishes - these are not in my repertoire!

[puppymomma]

I think I've seen it in a number of cookie recipes. Or tarts.

I would go to the company's Web site. I would bet they have recipe ideas.

Meryl
http://inspiredbites.blogspot.com/

[chloe103]

Swirl into a batch of homemade ice cream, or heat and dilute with cream, and pour it over ice cream you already have. Marble a cheesecake or brownies with it. Layer in a dacquoise, or use to fill macarons.

And sometimes I just sneak a spoonful when I've got a sugar craving.

[Adrienne]

Crepe filling.