These light, creamy and nutty egg cups are flavored with vegetables and bacon bits. Since they can be prepared ahead, they’re an easy start to your day.
Ingredients
1 cup liquid egg whites
3/4 cup lowfat cottage cheese
3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (preferably sharp)
1 tablespoon flour
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/3 cup California walnuts, chopped
1/4 cup minced red bell pepper
1/4 cup thinly sliced or chopped green onions
1/4 cup real bacon bits
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F and place a shallow rectangular baking dish 3/4 full with hot water in preheating oven. Coat 6 small canning jars liberally with nonstick cooking spray.
Puree egg whites, cottage cheese, Cheddar, flour and garlic salt in a small blender. Stir in walnuts, bell pepper, green onion and bacon bits, then spoon equal amounts into prepared jars.
Place jars in water and cook for 30 minutes or until eggs are set in the center. Serve immediately or let cool and remove from jars. Eggs may be prepared several days ahead and stored in a covered container in the refrigerator.
This fresh, lemony whole grain pasta dish is loaded with protein and roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
3/4 pound bite-size cauliflower (1/2 medium head)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3/4 cup julienne slices red onion
2 teaspoons dried tarragon
3/4 cup California walnuts, coarsely broken
4 oz. whole grain pasta
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons drained capers
3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
Freshly ground pepper
2 cups lightly packed baby arugula
2 (4.5-oz.) cans StarKist Selects Solid Yellowfin Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Preheat oven to 450°F. Toss cauliflower with olive oil and place on a foil- lined baking sheet; roast for 10 minutes. Stir in onion and tarragon and roast for 5 minutes more. Stir in walnuts and roast for 5 minutes more or until cauliflower is lightly browned and walnuts are toasted.
While vegetables are roasting, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain well, then place back in pan. Stir in lemon juice, capers, garlic salt and pepper. Add arugula and tuna and toss lightly to mix.
The name doesn’t lie: this recipe is pure bliss. The coc and coconut flavors with an added walnut crunch are the dessert you’ve been missing. And for an extra bonus: they don’t even require baking!
Ingredients
2 cup California walnuts
2 tablespoon unsweetened coconut flakes
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
10 pitted Medjool dates
Unsweetened coconut flakes and unsweetened cocoa powder (optional coating)
Instructions
Place walnuts in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
Add coconut, cocoa powder, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla and dates; pulse again until mixture forms a thick paste. (Don’t process too long or mixture will become too sticky.)
Roll into 16 equal balls, then roll in additional coconut or cocoa powder if desired. Store in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to serve.
This lighter take on a teriyaki noodle bowl is a quick and easy crowd-pleasing meal, perfect for a weeknight dinner. Featuring thinly sliced strips of pork tenderloin, bell peppers, matchstick carrots, spiral zucchini noodles and walnuts all tossed in a simple teriyaki sauce. Recipe by Beth Stark, RDN, LDN.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
4 cloves garlic, minced and divided
1-pound lean pork tenderloin, trimmed of visible fat and cut into ½-1-inch thick strips
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1-1/4 cups shredded or matchstick-cut carrots (about 4 ounces)
1 cup chopped walnuts
1-pound prepared zucchini noodles
1/4 cup lower sodium teriyaki sauce with 1 tablespoon water mixed in
1/4 cup chopped green onion tops
Instructions
Heat 1-1/2 teaspoons sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add half of the minced garlic cloves and half of the pork; cook and stir 5 minutes, or until browned and 145°F. Set aside. Repeat with 1-1/2 teaspoons sesame oil, remaining half of minced garlic cloves and pork; set aside.
To the same skillet, over medium-high heat, add remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil, bell pepper, carrots and walnuts; cook and stir until vegetables are tender; about 3-5 minutes.
Reduce heat to low; add zucchini noodles, pork and combined teriyaki sauce and water to the skillet; use tongs to coat mixture evenly with sauce; cook 5 minutes until heated through. Garnish with green onions and serve.
Great as an afternoon snack or appetizer, these crisp cucumber cups are filled with roasted red pepper hummus and topped with tomatoes, crumbled feta and chopped walnuts for added crunch. Recipe by Beth Stark, RDN, LDN.
Ingredients
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (8 tablespoons)
1 English cucumber, ends trimmed (about 14 ounces)
1/2 cup roasted red pepper hummus
1/4 cup reduced-fat crumbled feta cheese
5 cherry tomatoes, quartered
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F and arrange walnuts evenly on a small baking sheet. Bake 8 minutes, checking frequently, until toasted.
Slice cucumber crosswise into 18, ~3/4-inch thick slices. Using a small spoon, gently scoop out and discard the center of each cucumber slice, leaving bottom and sides intact.
In a small bowl, stir 6 tablespoons chopped walnuts and hummus. Spoon walnut-hummus mixture into each cucumber slice and top with 2 reserved tablespoons of chopped walnuts, feta cheese and quartered tomatoes.
Need a mid-day energy boost? These easy, no-bake Maple Walnut Energy Balls combine walnuts, oats, dates, maple syrup and are rolled in diced walnuts for added crunch. Recipe by Crowded Kitchen.
Ingredients
2 cups walnuts, plus 1/4 cup for coating
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup Medjool dates, pitted (about 7 dates)
3 tbsp maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
Add 2 cups walnuts, oats, dates, maple syrup, vanilla and salt to a food processor. Blend until smooth and the dough forms together into cohesive balls, about 1 to 2 minutes.
Finely dice the remaining 1/4 cup walnuts and add to a plate.
Form the dough into 16 balls and roll each ball in the diced walnuts to coat. Store the energy balls in an airtight container in the fridge for a week, or in the freezer for up to three months.
Ditch traditional bread for sweet potato slices for this gluten-free take on classic avocado toast. Diced walnuts offer some added crunch while red pepper flakes kick things up with a little heat. Recipe by Crowded Kitchen.
Ingredients
2 sweet potatoes
2 avocados, thinly sliced
1/2 cup walnuts, diced
1-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, plus more if desired
4 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon flaky salt
Instructions
Slice a small plank off one side of each sweet potato lengthwise. This will act as a base, so you can cut the sweet potato into toast slices easily. Prop the sweet potato on the flat side you created and slice each potato into planks about 1/4 inch thick.
For toaster preparation, pop the sweet potato planks in the toaster and toast until tender. This may take a few times, depending on your toaster.
For oven preparation, preheat your oven to 350° F. Lay the sweet potato planks on a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray. Roast for 6-7 minutes per side, until they are easily pierced with a fork.
When they’re done toasting, lay the sweet potato toasts on plates and top with sliced avocado. Mash the avocado gently with a fork. Sprinkle with diced walnuts, red pepper flakes and drizzle with olive oil. Top with flaky salt.
A simple Mediterranean sweet red pepper spread with just a hint of spice. Great as a dip for bread or crudité.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup California walnuts, toasted
1 (16-oz.) jar roasted red peppers
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
Extra virgin olive oil, finely chopped California walnuts and chopped fresh parsley (optional garnishes)
INSTRUCTIONS
Place walnuts in a food processor and process until they become thick and smooth like walnut butter.
Place peppers in a strainer and drain well. Transfer to a plate and press between paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
Add to the food processor with remaining ingredients and puree until smooth.
Transfer to a bowl and garnish with olive oil, walnuts and parsley, if desired.
NOTE: Roasted peppers can vary in sweetness. Add an additional tablespoon of vinegar if the dip is too sweet, or a teaspoon of sugar if the dip is too tart.
California walnuts add flavor and texture to crushed herbs and warm pasta in this classic Italian dish. Adapted from Chef/Owner Ethan Stowell, Union Restaurant, Seattle, WA. Kitchen Hack: Use an ice cube tray to save leftover sauce.
INGREDIENTS
3 1/2 cups California walnuts, toasted
4 cups Italian parsley leaves, packed
2 cups Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, freshly grated
4 garlic cloves
1 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
4 pounds pappardelle pasta, fresh
1 1/2 cups California walnuts, toasted, chopped
Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Place half of the walnuts, parsley, cheese and garlic in food processor; process until finely chopped.
With motor running, slowly pour in half of the oil; purée until smooth. Transfer to bowl and repeat with remaining ingredients, making a total of 2 batches. Season with salt and pepper; set aside. (Makes approximately 4 cups).
Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain, reserving some of the cooking water. For each serving, toss 2 cups cooked pasta with 1/4 cup Walnut Pesto adding some of the reserved cooking water as required to thin the pesto; toss well to coat evenly.
Transfer to warm pasta bowl; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts and shaved or grated cheese, as desired. Serve immediately.
