Category: Nut Usage Ideas

As leaves brighten with fall color, fragrant apples and pears reach their peak. Equally suited to sweet and savory dishes, they pair well with tree nuts for rich, earthy flavor and contrasting texture. From salads and soups to cakes and breakfast bowls, apple, pear and nut recipes are a delicious way to enjoy the flavors of fall. Together, these ingredients provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

For an easy option, assemble a picnic platter of sliced apples and pears, dried fruit, nuts, celery, and crusty bread. Or try the following additional ways to feature apples, pears, and tree nuts on your fall menu.

Savory Apple, Pear and Nut Recipes

Pears and apples are a wonderful addition to any salad, particularly with goat or blue cheese, nuts and balsamic, as in this vibrant Pear, Walnut and Spinach salad. Or how about a twist on a classic Waldorf salad with the playful textures of apples, grapes, and celery. And Brussels sprouts and apples complemented with hazelnuts are perfect for this time of year.

Try Apple and Pumpkin soup with Macadamias. The touch of sweetness from apples and the creaminess of macadamias make this pumpkin soup a gourmet meal. Experiment with your favorite tree nuts and different squashes that are abundant this time of year.

Sandwiches aren’t usually where you’d expect to see apples or pears, but this tuna sandwich with apples and walnuts would make a wonderful school lunch.

Add the kiss of sweetness from these fruits to any casserole or stew and top with a scattering of tree nuts before putting it in the oven. Brazil nuts are terrific with lamb, cashews with pork, and pine nuts with beef.

Sweet Apple, Pear and Nut Recipes

The possibilities are endless when it comes to sweet dishes.

The whole deal – from roasted whole apples with pecans and pears with hazelnuts, all you need is your imagination to design your own.

In pastry – whether you buy store bought or make a nut-based pastry like this galette, there’s few dishes more iconic to American cuisine than apple or pear pie or tart! Using nuts to replace some or all the butter in the pastry not only makes it better for you, but the flavor is delightful. Or simply scatter tree nuts over the top or inside the pie.

Cakes and muffins are perfect for combining pears, apples and nuts. Here’s a classic Apple Walnut Cake, or just choose your favorite muffin recipe and grated pears, apples and chopped nuts.

Breakfast Ideas with Apples, Pears and Nuts

Our Breakfast Grain Bowl is perfect year-round, but in the fall, either cooked or raw apples and pears are perfect. And if you’re more a grab-and-run, make-ahead kind of breakfast person, this granola may be the best for you!

Pancakes with cooked apples or pears and tree nuts, either in the batter or sprinkled on top, are a kid’s favorite. Or just toss slices of the fruit in lemon juice, put in a bag with nuts and send them on their way! Healthy and tasty!

More Ways to Pair Tree Nuts with Apples and Pears

For more fun ideas on pairing tree nuts with apples and pears, check out the following ideas:

Almonds – Grind into almond flour and use to make a moist pear cake.

Brazil Nuts – Classic fruit cake made with apple puree and chunks of Brazil nuts.

Cashews – Noodles with sliced pears, prawns and cashews.  Tangy miso dressing perhaps?

Hazelnuts – Pears and hazelnuts in an endive salad with a mustard dressing

Macadamias – Roasted pumpkin and apple salad with toasted honey macadamias and arugula

Pecans – Toast bread with pecan butter

Pine Nuts – Savory muffins with pears, parmesan, basil and pine nuts

Pistachios – Pizza spread with pistachio puree, topped with slices of pears and prosciutto.

Walnuts – Apple crumble with walnuts in the crumble

Have fun experimenting and Bon Appetit!

Tomato season may be drawing to a close, but tomatoes are still available in an abundance of shapes, sizes and varieties. These versatile ingredients pair beautifully with tree nuts in salads, pasta, soups, curries and more.

Like tree nuts, tomatoes are a nutritional powerhouse – whether enjoyed raw, cooked or frozen – tomatoes provide rich nutrients and antioxidants such as lycopene, vitamins A and C, potassium and folate. It makes sense that a combination of the two will benefit your heart, skin, vision and bones.

Like tree nuts, tomatoes have so many applications and flavor profiles that work with many dishes. Here are 9 delicious tomato and nut recipes and meal ideas to help you make the most of the end of the harvest and add a healthy dose of tree nuts to your diet!

Tomato Salad with Almond Dressing

A simple mixed tomato salad studded with basil is divine scattered with a dressing made by toasting almonds and tossing with olive oil and red wine vinegar.

Pasta with Tomatoes and Brazil Nuts

Toss hot pasta with chopped seasoned tomatoes, mint, parmesan and finely chopped roasted Brazil nuts for a simple mid-week meal. You can also blitz (blend) the tomatoes with herbs, parmesan and the Brazil nuts to make a creamier version to stir through the pasta.  Great with any kind of pasta.

Cashew and Tomato Curry

Kaju Masala, is a rich, creamy North Indian dish. You can Google it to find traditional recipes, but a simple version is to sauté a cup of cashews in ghee until golden, set aside, then add a bay leaf, cloves, star anise and cinnamon to the pan, cook 2 minutes. Add 1½ cups chopped tomatoes and ½ cup water to the pan and cook until tomatoes are soft. Grind half the cashews and add to tomatoes with a pinch of chili and garam masala. Serve with naan or basmati rice, scattered with cilantro and remaining cashews.

Warm Tomato, Corn, Zucchini and Feta Salad with Hazelnuts

Let your imagination run wild with this delightful flavor combination. Here is a template to get you started – sauté corn and diced zucchini until tender and remove from heat. Toss in halved cherry tomatoes, basil, mint and roasted chopped hazelnuts, drizzle with olive oil and lemon and serve crumbled with feta cheese.

Tomato and Macadamia Soup

The creamy richness of macadamias turns a simple tomato soup into a luxurious occasion. Simply sauté macadamias with onions and garlic before adding chopped tomatoes, stock and a sprig of thyme. Cook for 10 minutes, remove thyme and puree until smooth. Reheat and top with chopped basil or enjoy a double nut bonus and drizzle with pesto.

Farro and Tomato Salad with Pecan Crumble

The grain bowl craze shows no sign of slowing down and adding tomatoes works like a tangy dressing, as the juices coat the grains. The crunch and earthiness of pecans add a wonderful contrast. Try with any grains and add any chopped vegetables and fresh herbs.

Tomato, Goat Cheese and Pine Nut Frittata

Here is our recipe for a frittata combining tomatoes and pine nuts or make into a quiche simply by lining the baking tin with a sheet of puff pastry. 

Tomato and Pistachio Pizza

Blend pistachio nuts with just enough olive oil and parmesan to make a thick paste and spread over the base of the pizza.  Top with mozzarella cheese, basil and sliced tomatoes then bake until golden. Simple yet delicious!

Walnut Caprese Bruschetta

Walnuts have a buttery sweetness that make them ideal for pairing with tomatoes, like this walnut toast. Or simply scatter sautéed tomatoes with roasted walnuts as a side dish.

From creamy tomato soup with macadamias to fresh salads topped with almonds or hazelnuts, there are countless ways to combine tomatoes and tree nuts. Experiment with your favorite varieties, and explore our Nut Facts and recipe collections for even more inspiration.

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the abundance of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables available at farmers markets, backyard gardens, and grocery stores. From zucchini and sweet corn to juicy berries and ripe peaches, summer produce offers endless opportunities for colorful, flavorful meals elevated with the addition of tree nuts

Why Tree Nuts Pair Perfectly with Summer Produce

Whether you’re planning backyard barbecues, refreshing salads, chilled soups, or simple weeknight dinners, pairing seasonal favorites with tree nuts can transform summer produce into satisfying dishes. Incorporating tree nuts into your healthy summer recipes adds protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals while enhancing texture and taste of everyday ingredients. Explore these delicious ways to combine summer vegetables and fruits with almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, hazelnuts, and more to make the most of the season’s bounty.

Which Nuts Pair Best with Summer Fruits and Vegetables?

Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, hazelnuts, pine nuts, macadamias, and cashews pair well with seasonal produce. Here are a few ideas to inspire you.

Summer Squash Recipes with Tree Nuts

Whether it’s zucchini, yellow squash or patty pan, there are so many ways to enjoy them: 

• Try shaving thin slices with a potato peeler or mandolin, and tossing with olive oil, lemon, basil and mint. Scatter with dollops of fresh ricotta and toasted nuts.
• Boil until tender, then puree with a little white pepper, tarragon, yogurt or buttermilk until a thick soup consistency. Enjoy warm or chilled topped with dill and finely diced nuts.
• Chop into bite sized pieces, toss with olive oil, season, scatter with tree nuts and roast until tender. Serve with toasted bread or over pasta.
• Squash makes terrific pizzas, finely sliced and arranged over dough (or puff pastry), with ricotta cheese and mint. Here’s a recipe for you with lots of nuts.
• Grate and add to your favorite muffin mix full of nuts and spices.

Corn Recipes Featuring Tree Nuts

• There are few things that shout summer as much as corn wrapped in foil and roasted or put on the barbecue. And it’s even more deliciously summer when smothered in a smooth nut pesto.
• Corn succotash, sautéed with bell peppers, green onion and nuts such as pine nuts, walnuts or pistachios makes a great base for grilled chicken or fish.
• A puree of corn is also divine when blended with stock and given a thickening of nuts such as macadamias and almonds.

Bell Pepper Recipes with Almonds and Pecans

• Roast and peel bell peppers, and blend with oil, almonds, garlic and chilis for a classic Spanish sauce that’s wonderful over meat or rice.
• Barbecued sliced peppers, eggplant and asparagus are wonderful with goat cheese and toasted hazelnuts.
• Stuffed peppers are a great lunch or midweek meal, and you can fill with all manner of chopped vegetables, cheese, herbs and nuts. Here’s one with Pecans and avocado.

Eggplant Recipes with Nuts

• Give your eggplant parmigiana a crunchier texture and earthy flavor boost with ground nuts in the coating.
• A wonderful party dish, Baba Ganoush is made by pureeing roasted eggplant with lemon, garlic and tahini. It’s extra special with nuts such as walnuts, pecans and almonds. Serve with pita bread and vegetable crudites.
• Like summer squashes, eggplant roasts beautifully and the combination of silky and the crunch of nuts is addictive. This recipe will give you ideas for roasting veggies and nuts.

Fresh Bean and Pea Recipes

• These simple yet delicious summer vegetables are often just left plain, but add a dollop of butter, some white pepper and toasted nuts and they are now gourmet heroes. Add some grains such as farro or couscous, sit a poached egg on top and that’s lunch right there!
• A fresh mixed pea and bean salad – steam green peas, snap peas, lima beans and green beans until just tender– toss in olive oil and pepper and sit on a bed of watercress, topped with fresh ricotta and toasted nuts.

Creative Ways to Enoy Radishes

• The French are known to serve sliced radishes simply with bread and butter, but have you tried using a nut butter? The earthiness and texture of the nuts and flavor of the radish work together like a symphony.
• Not many have discovered the joys of sautéed radishes. Flash fry with olive oil with beans or cauliflower and scatter with fresh thyme, oregano, parmesan and diced pine nuts or macadamias.

Refreshing Cucumber Recipes

• A classic summer chilled soup combines cucumber, green grapes, bread soaked in milk and almonds with buttermilk – so refreshing and sustaining!
• Shaved cucumber, tossed with yogurt and lemon is a terrific side dish for curry.  Great with pea shoots or tatsoi. Or grate cucumber and add to yogurt with garlic and lemon for a classic Middle Eastern sauce for fish.

Berry Recipes with Tree Nuts

There are so many ways to enjoy fresh berries with nuts:

• A classic fruit salad with ice cream and nuts.
• Over your breakfast overnight oats studded with nuts.
• Wrapped in pastry for a succulent berry pie with a nut-based pastry or crumble.

Cherry Recipes for Summer

• Salmon loves cherries, particularly when warmed and served over the fish with an almond brown butter sauce.
• The cherry season is so short, sometimes it’s just best to serve a big bowl of fresh cherries and chilled nuts to graze over with a glass of bubbles. Add some apricots for added color.

Stone Fruit Recipes with Walnuts and Almonds

• Roasted apricots and peaches drizzled with honey and scattered with toasted walnuts begs a scoop of gelato for a perfect summer dessert.
• Salads with greens such as arugula, endive and radicchio are brought to life mixed with finely sliced stone fruit or fresh figs, shaved gouda and toasted nuts. A simple dressing of oil and lemon is all you need.

Experiment with these healthy summer recipes and discover new ways to enjoy nature’s bounty to enjoy a tasty and nutty summer!

Salads are ubiquitous to the American menu year-round, but as summer draws near, they take center stage. If you’re looking for unique and healthy ways to add more flavor and nutrition to your salads, tree nuts such as walnuts, almonds, pecans, pistachios, hazelnuts and cashews can transform any ordinary salad with satisfying crunch.

Why add tree nuts to salads?

There are so many ways to incorporate tree nuts into your salads. Whether you’re making a summer salad, a hearty lunch salad or a side dish, tree nuts are a versatile and nutritious topping, adding vital nutrients such as:

• protein
• fiber
• vitamins
• minerals
• healthy fats.

And, tree nuts can help make salads more filling.

Here are some ideas using tree nuts for salads that stretch the imagination. We’d love to hear your ideas, too!

Let’s start with salads simply adorned with tree nuts:

Asian-inspired Salads – These days, Asian lettuces are much easier to find. Try a salad of mizuna, Tatsoi, mustard greens, Thai Basil and Napa Cabbage tossed with lime, soy sauce and a dash of sesame oil, and sprinkled with toasted cashew nuts.

Tropical Salads – These can be a dessert or main meal. For a savory version, try mango, pineapple, papaya, cucumber and red onion, with a vinegary mint dressing and glazed macadamia nuts. For dessert, mix any of your favorite tropical fruits, toss with lemon and some chopped mint and scatter with nuts such as flaked almonds, toasted hazelnuts, pecans or walnuts. A scoop of ice cream wouldn’t go astray either!

Warm Salads – Adding a warm dressing to salads made with bitter greens brings out a wonderful flavor in the leaves. Mix bitter greens such as escarole, radicchio or curly endive in a bowl and make a dressing with olive oil and vinegar. Warm chopped mixed tree nuts in a small pan. When they are getting golden and aromatic, remove from heat and add the dressing – it will absorb the flavor of the nuts. Toss with the salad while still warm, then scatter with crumbled goat cheese. This is delicious topped with a poached egg as well. Here’s a recipe to get you started using endive.

The Classics – There’s something delightfully summery about a Waldorf Salad, with apple, grapes and nuts, or this twist on the classic Caesar with pistachios, hazelnuts and almonds (but you could use any nut). A Caprese Salad with layers of fresh tomato, mozzarella and basil is wonderful with any tree nuts – here’s a recipe for a Caprese Toast with walnuts.

And how about some tree nut-rich dressings:

Pesto – Did you know that pesto can be made with any nut and many herbs, not just basil? Mint, parsley, tarragon and arugula are just a few herbs that can make a delicious dressing. Toss with a mixed salad just before serving and top with chunks of fresh burrata or shaved parmesan. Or you could just blend some tree nuts with oil, lemon and parmesan to toss with a butter lettuce salad for something simple and bursting with flavor.

Parmesan and Nut Cracker Topping – Shred parmesan cheese and add some finely chopped tree nuts. Place mounds on a heated nonstick pan over low heat and cook until fully melted and golden brown. Transfer to a rack and allow them to harden then scatter over an arugula and beet salad! Or just serve on the side to enjoy with your greens.

From tropical fruit salads to classic Waldorf salads and homemade pesto dressings, tree nuts offer endless ways to add flavor, texture and nutrition to your favorite dishes. Experiment with different varieties to discover your favorite combinations and enjoy a healthier, more satisfying salad year-round.

Bon Appetit!

The Nutty Chef