Go Nuts for Quick Recipes

• Date posted:  07/25/2024 
• Posted in:
• Nut Usage Ideas,

Making a great meal doesn’t have to mean a long list of ingredients. In fact, sometimes the simpler the dish, the better it tastes, especially when you focus on fresh, seasonal and good quality ingredients.

There are so many ways to reduce the number of ingredients you use, without sacrificing flavor or enjoyment, and it will make cooking more of a joy than a chore. Here’s a framework for you to build your own quick meals. Start with the most important part – the plants – and select a few different colors. This time of year, it could be fresh peas, corn and tomato. Second, select a protein – it could be an egg, fish, lean meat, nuts or chicken.

Having tree nuts on hand in your refrigerator or freezer allows you to jazz up anything for added texture, flavor, healthy fats, protein and many more nutrients. Nuts also add an element of satiety, so you’ll be less likely to want to snack afterwards.

Here are some ways to create quick dishes for healthy family meals or entertaining:

Pasta – The Italians are heroes when it comes to simple, fresh and delicious. Whether it’s a pine nut pesto folded through linguini with shrimp, a walnut crumble tossed through orecchiette, or a Brazil nut cream over wild mushroom pasta, we have many pasta recipes to try.

Omelets – One of the simplest meals you can make and great for solo diners. Sauté some vegetables, such as mushrooms and zucchini. Whisk some eggs with soy, chopped green onion and grated ginger and pour over the veggies, turning in the edges as you go until cooked through, then scatter chopped tree nuts on top.

Grain Bowls – Admittedly these bowls are an easy way to get carried away, opening up your pantry and finding all kinds of ingredients to toss in. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But simply starting with your cooked grain of choice, adding some raw vegetables, nuts and a simple dressing of olive oil and lemon can make a satisfying and nourishing meal. Grain bowls are great for breakfast, lunch and dinner, or a side dish!

Pizza – You can buy ready-made pizza dough at the store, or some pizza restaurants will let you buy their pizza dough to make your own at home. Or for a speedy pizza, use pita bread. Spread with our delicious pistachio sauce, sprinkle with cheese then scatter over some veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, and onion. Or go for a salad topped pizza, such as this one inspired by Joanne Weir.

Stir Fry with Noodles – Select three different colored veggies, add protein and stir fry, adding a splash of soy and rice wine. Toss with cooked noodles, scatter with sliced almonds, cashews or macadamias, and you have a simply delicious meal.

Plain and Simple – For many, a meal is simply “meat and veg,” which is a great thing and allows you to keep the number of ingredients manageable. There is nothing lovelier than a piece of grilled fish, some potatoes, peas and carrots, and to top it off some toasted chopped tree nuts. 

The Oven Bowl – Popping a casserole dish in the oven means more time with friends and family and you can transfer the dish right to the table for family style serving. Try layering sliced cooked sweet potatoes, a can of tuna or salmon, sliced zucchini and cover with a can of tomatoes (chopped or whole). Lastly, top with melted cheese and sliced almonds and cook until golden! Or go simply veggie, tossing together squash, mushrooms, cauliflower (or your preferred vegetables) with fresh basil. Toss with olive oil, scatter with nuts and bake until vegetables are tender!

Spicy Pork Tenderloin – Rub pork with honey and soy and sit for 15 minutes, then roast at 375°F for 15-20 minutes or until medium rare. Rest and serve sliced over a bed of sliced fennel, cucumber, cilantro and chopped macadamias, almonds or cashews.

And one more added bonus–using less ingredients means less clean-up and more play time! 

Happy August everyone!