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Walnut Balsamic Spinach Salad

Description

This classic spinach salad is dressed up with Candied California walnuts, blue cheese, prosciutto and pomegranate arils.

Ingredients

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup minced red onion
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Candied Walnuts

  • 1 cup California walnuts
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Salad

  • 10 cups baby spinach
  • 8 strips prosciutto
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 1/3 cup pomegranate arils
  • 2 firm but ripe pears, cored and thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. To prepare dressing, stir together onion, vinegar and Dijon in a small bowl. Slowly add olive oil and whisk well. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. To prepare Candied Walnuts, heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add walnuts and cook for 5 minutes to toast. Add sugar and cook for a few minutes more or until walnuts are nicely glazed.
  3. Place salad ingredients in a large bowl and sprinkle with Candied Walnuts. Toss well to coat and serve immediately.

California Walnut Meatloaf

Description

This vegetarian walnut-based mixture has a classic “meatloaf” flavor. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ketchup, divided
  • 2 cups California Walnuts
  • 1 cup cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional additions: 2/3 cup each: diced red onion, coarsely shredded zucchini and snipped fresh basil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F and set aside 1/2 cup ketchup.
  2. Place all remaining ingredients except optional additions in a food processor. Pulse to mix well, scraping down the sides as necessary.
  3. Mix in any desired optional additions.
  4. Shape into 6 round individual meatloaves and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Drizzle with reserved ketchup. Bake for 35 minutes until firm.
  5. Recipe tip: Substitute ketchup with a thick sauce and serve over soft polenta for a more Italian flavor.

Pumpkin Walnut Bread

Description

You will fall in love with this ultimate pumpkin bread recipe loaded with California walnuts, aromatic fall spices and a crunchy sugar crust.

Ingredients

  • 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup chopped California walnuts
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 eggs
  • Top with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan and coat with flour.
  2. Whisk together flour, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, salt, baking soda and nutmeg in a large. Add walnuts and toss to coat.
  3. Whisk together pumpkin puree, oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and eggs in a medium bowl until smooth.
  4. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened, being careful not to over mix.
  5. Spread batter in prepared pan and sprinkle sugar evenly over the top.
  6. Bake for 65 to 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before removing from pan and slicing.

Blueberry Lemon Walnut Bread

Description

The tartness of lemons complements the sweet subtle taste of walnuts in this quick bread recipe. The addition of blueberries offers a colorful antioxidant boost.

ingredients

Bread

  • 1 cup California walnuts, chopped
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, pure
  • 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted, melted
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen

Tip: Leftover buttermilk can be frozen for future use. If using frozen blueberries, do not thaw before adding to the recipe.

Glaze

  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh

California Walnut Cream Alfredo Sauce

Description

This dairy-free white sauce gets it’s flavor from onion, garlic and nutritional yeast. Serve over fettucine, ravioli or any other desired pasta. Reserve water from cooking pasta as you’ll need it for this recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pasta water, plus additional if necessary for thinning sauce
  • 1 cup California walnuts
  • 1/3 cup chopped onion
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • Hot cooked pasta
  • Chopped California walnuts, toasted
  • Snipped or chopped fresh basil and finely grated lemon zest for garnish

Instructions

  1. Place walnuts, reserved pasta water, onion, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, pepper and garlic in a blender and puree until smooth.
  2. Transfer to a sauté pan add desired pasta, tossing to coat and adding additional pasta water if needed to thin sauce.
  3. Plate pasta and garnish with walnuts, basil and lemon.

Recipe Tip: This pasta sauce is very versatile and may also be served stirred into rice or mashed potatoes.

Walnut Chia Overnight Oats

Description

Sweeten up your breakfast and take the stress out of your mornings by preparing these overnight oats the night before. The maple and vanilla are combined with oats and California Walnuts to give you a hearty and delicious breakfast on-the-go.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup chopped California walnuts
  • 1/3 cup chia seeds
  • 1/3 cup rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Chopped California walnuts, assorted fresh berries (optional toppings)

Instructions

  1. Stir together all ingredients except toppings in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  2. Spoon into small bowls and top with additional walnuts and berries.

Apple Walnut Hand Pies

Description

These mini apple pies are filled with fresh apples and dried cranberries, making them a perfect holiday dessert. Cooking them in an air fryer makes the pastry crisp and flakey.

Ingredients

Filling

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 large Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored and chopped
  • 2/3 cup chopped California walnuts
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons dried cranberries
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

Crust

  • 1 box refrigerated pie dough
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped California walnuts
  • Nonstick cooking spray

Directions

  1. To prepare filling, melt butter in a large nonstick skillet. Add apples and cook for 10 minutes or until soft. Add walnuts, brown sugar, cranberries and cinnamon and cook for a few minutes more. Set aside to cool.
  2. Unroll each pie dough on a very lightly floured board and sprinkle with walnuts. Gather into a ball and knead several times to incorporate walnuts into dough.
  3. Roll into an 11-inch circle and cut into circles about 4 1/2-inches in diameter. Re-roll scraps and repeat to make 10 circles. Using your fingertips, coat the outside of each circle with water.
  4. Place about 1 1/2 tablespoons of apple mixture into the center of each pastry circle . Bring up 2 edges and pinch the edges to seal in the filling. Crimp firmly with a fork and coat with cooking spray.
  5. Preheat an air fryer set to 350°F for 3 minutes. Cook for 10 minutes or until pies are a light golden brown.
  6. Replace apples with 1 1/2 cups peeled and diced ripe pears and prepare as directed above, melting the butter before adding to the pears.

Strawberry Walnut Date Smoothie

Description

This smoothie gets its nutty flavor from California walnuts and is sweetened with fresh strawberries and dates.

ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups hulled, quartered strawberries
  • 1/2 cup California Walnuts
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or 1 5.3-oz. cup)
  • 1/2 cup walnut milk (may substitute dairy milk)
  • 3 pitted dates, coarsely chopped
  • Chopped California Walnuts (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a small blender or food processor and process until smooth.
  2. Garnish with additional walnuts, if desired.

Spiced Walnut Trail Mix

Description

When you’re on the go and need a pick-me-up, this sweet and savory trail mix is a perfect balance of flavors. Just prepare the walnuts and mix everything together. Transfer to a portable container of your choosing and you’re good to go!

Ingredients

Toasted Spiced Walnuts

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup California walnuts
  • 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Trail Mix

  • 2 cups popcorn
  • 1 cup pretzels
  • 1/2 cup granola
  • 1/3 cup dried apricots
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add walnuts and stir well.
  2. Sprinkle curry, chili powder, cumin and chili flakes over walnuts and stir until walnuts are well coated. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until toasted. Season with salt and pepper and let cool.
  3. Place walnuts in a large bowl with all trail mix ingredients and toss well. Store in a tightly covered container. Take on the go in a mason jar or glass container.

Walnut Meat Nachos

Description

Serve up a plant-forward appetizer in no time with these walnut meat nachos. The spicy walnut meat is full of tantalizing flavors that complement the chips and fresh toppings.

Ingredients

Spicy Walnut Meat

  • 1 1/2 cups California Walnuts
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons water

Other Nacho Ingredients

  • 6 servings tortilla chips (about 8 cups)
  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons refried beans
  • 1 1/2 cups traditional or vegan cheese (Mexican blend, Cheddar, Jack or pepper-Jack)
  • Diced tomato, diced avocado, fresh cilantro leaves, jalapeño slices, pickled onion, sour cream, hot sauce or salsa and lime wedges (optional garnishes)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place all Spicy Walnut Meat ingredients in a food processor and pulse until well-mixed and crumb like. The mixture should look and smell like taco meat and will hold its shape when gently pinched between your fingers.
  3. Place half the chips on prepared baking sheet and top with half the beans, cheese and taco meat. Repeat layers.
  4. Bake for 12 minutes or until cheese is fully melted and chips are lightly browned. Serve with any desired garnishes.