DESCRIPTION
A traditional Middle Eastern Pastry, often made in smaller sizes as appetizers. Pine nuts are likely one of the most commonly used nuts in all kinds of Middle Eastern and Greek and Italian cooking – whether with lamb, pesto, over salads on in some of their sweet treats. Their flavor and texture is unique.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 1 shallot, finely diced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds (or ground)
- ½ teaspoon coriander seeds (or ground)
- ½ teaspoon all spice
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup roughly chopped Italian parsley
- 1 sprig mint, leaves chopped
- ½ cup pine nuts
- 4 sprigs fresh tarragon, chopped
- 12 sheets filo pastry
- Melted butter or olive oil for brushing
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place the lamb in a frying pan over medium high heat, and cook, stirring until browned, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add the shallot, onion, spices and tomato paste and cook 15 minutes, adding a bit of water if mix becomes too dry, but you are aiming for a fairy dry mixture.
- Remove from heat, add parsley, mint and half of the pine nuts and allow to cool slightly.
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Chop and lightly toast the remaining pine nuts and toss with the tarragon.
- On a clean, dry surface, lay down one sheet of filo pastry, brush with butter and top with another sheet. Brush again, and scatter a little of the pine nuts mix down half and fold in half horizontally.
- Place 1/6 of the lamb mixture on one end of the pastry. Fold in edges and roll up like a cigar. Brush with butter and scatter over a little more pine nut mix.
- Repeat with remaining mixture and pastry.
- Lay on a lined baking tray and bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Enjoy right away. Delicious with a cucumber yogurt sauce or tomato salsa and glass of Syrah.
DESCRIPTION
Recipe by Chef Chung Chow, noreetuh restaurant in New York.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound sushi grade Big-Eye tuna loin
- ½ cup dried seaweed (such as ogo and/or tosaka), rehydrated 10 minutes in cold water
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced and soaked in ice water 10 minutes
- 1 scallion, thinly sliced on the bias
- ¼ cup macadamia nuts, roughly chopped
- Toasted white sesame seeds, to taste
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Soy-Pickled Jalapeño Peppers
- 1/2 pound jalapeño peppers, stems trimmed
- 1 bottle distilled white vinegar
- 1 cup soy sauce
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon tobanjan*
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prepare soy-pickled jalapenos by placing peppers in a wide mouth container or large bowl. Add soy sauce vinegar to cover peppers. Drain and reserve liquid.
- Place liquid mixture in small sauce pan and bring to boil over medium heat. Pour over peppers. Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Make dressing by combining soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and tobanjan in small bowl. Gently whisk in canola oil and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Cut tuna loin into half inch cubes. Season with the reserved dressing.
- Add rehydrated seaweed, drained sliced red onion, scallion, 8-10 slices of soy-pickled jalapeno, macadamia nuts and sesame seeds.
- Toss gently to combine. Garnish with additional sesame seeds, scallions and sea salt.
*Tobanjan is a spicy miso sauce found in Asian specialty stores and some supermarkets. If you can’t find it, you can use Korean Chile Paste, Gochujang, or simply omit.
DESCRIPTION
This hearty, healthy salad is loaded with crunchy hazelnuts, whole grain quinoa, and tender kale. The combination of sweet dried cherries and a tangy honey balsamic dressing complements the nutty, savory flavors of the grains and greens to create a delicious side dish for any occasion.
INGREDIENTS
- ½ cup dry red quinoa, rinsed well
- 1 cup water
- 5 cups thinly sliced kale leaves
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup toasted Oregon hazelnuts, chopped
- ½ cup dried cherries
- 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
Vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- To cook the quinoa, add it to a medium saucepot and pour in the water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, partially covered, for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender. Transfer to a colander and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- Add the kale to a medium bowl and pour in the 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle with the ¼ teaspoon salt. Use clean or gloved hands to squeeze the kale, massaging the oil and salt into the greens. Massage for about 30 seconds. The kale will look slightly wilted. Set aside.
- Transfer the cooled quinoa to the bowl with the kale. Add the hazelnuts, cherries, and feta.
- To make the dressing, whisk together the shallot, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey in a small bowl until all ingredients are combined into a dark dressing. Stir the salt and the pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat all ingredients well. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
DESCRIPTION
These cookies offer the ultimate sweet and savory flavors by combining chunks of dark chocolate with chopped hazelnuts. Each cookie is finished with a crunchy sprinkle of flaked sea salt. They are sure to become a new favorite to enjoy with a cup of tea or to take along for a seasonal picnic with friends.
INGREDIENTS
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped roasted hazelnuts
- 2 (3-ounce) bars Moonstruck Dark Chocolate 68% Cacao, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Jacobsen Pure Flake Finishing Salt
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Add the sugars and butter to the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix on low and then increase to medium-high. Mix for about two minutes until pale yellow in color and smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl.
- Add the vanilla and then mix in the egg. Mix in the baking soda and salt. Next add the flour and mix on medium until a cookie dough forms, about 1 minute. Add the hazelnuts and then add the chocolate and mix on low for about 20 seconds to combine all ingredients.
- Transfer the cookies in generous tablespoon portions to the baking sheets with no more than 12 cookies per tray. Sprinkle the top of each cookie with flaked sea salt. Bake each tray for about 10 minutes, until the cookies begin to brown at the edges and are firm in the center.
- Let cool for 3 minutes on the tray and then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
DESCRIPTION
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.
DESCRIPTION
This isn’t the all-American coconut macaroon with which many people are familiar. Instead, it’s a lovely, light-as-a-feather French sandwich cookie, which starts with puffy wafers of ground almonds, confectioners sugar and egg white. This version is sealed with a rich, pink, raspberry-flavored buttercream.
INGREDIENTS
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons ground almonds*
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
- 3 large egg whites
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Raspberry Buttercream
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) room temperature unsalted butter
- pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon confectioners sugar
- 1 tablespoon seedless raspberry jelly
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 300°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Combine ground almonds and confectioners sugar until very fine in a food processor.
- In a medium bowl whisk egg whites until stiff but not dry. Add sugar, and whisk again until very stiff.
- Using a rubber spatula, add one-third almond mixture to egg whites and gently fold in, leaving some streaks. Gently fold in remaining almond mixture by thirds.
- Make a piping bag for the batter: Place a sturdy plastic storage bag into a tall water glass, folding its top back around the rim of the glass. Spoon batter gently into plastic bag. Remove bag from water glass and close, snipping a hole in one bottom corner. Use this piping bag to pipe 1-inch kisses onto baking sheets. Bake 18 to 20 minutes, turning pans halfway through baking or until set but not dried out. Let cookies cool completely, then remove from parchment paper with a small offset spatula. Sandwich cookies together with buttercream and serve, or store airtight for up to 2 days.
Raspberry Buttercream
- Using a mixer, beat 1/2 cup (1 stick) room temperature unsalted butter with a pinch of salt until fluffy.
- Add 1 tablespoon confectioners sugar, 1 tablespoon seedless raspberry jelly, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, and beat until blended.
- Store covered and refrigerated, and let come to room temperature before using.
DESCRIPTION
‘Tis the season for variety, and pecans make for a nutritious and versatile snack. Pair them with a number of accouterments – from fruits and vegetables to cheese and chocolate – for a simple yet impressive snack platter, you can serve during holiday festivities.
Recipe notes:
INGREDIENTS
- Roasted red pepper pecan dip (see recipe notes)
- Pecan, bacon and Jalapeno cheese ball (see recipe notes)
- Assorted seasonal fresh fruit like blueberries and apples
- Assorted seasonal fresh vegetables like peppers, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers
- Assorted dried fruit like figs, dried apples
- Toasted pecan halves
- Honey
- Whole grain mustard
- Olives
- Cured meat, if desired
- Crackers or bread toasts
- Dark chocolate
INSTRUCTIONS
- To assemble: arrange pecan, bacon and jalapeno cheese ball, roasted red pepper dip, and desired accouterments on a large platter, cutting board, or slate slab and allow guests to serve themselves.
DESCRIPTION
Part pumpkin, part cheesecake, this walnut tart is a nice alternative to traditional pumpkin pie.
Recipe by Patty Mastracco.
INGREDIENTS
SWEET TART CRUST
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 1/3 cup California walnuts, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup salted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
FILLING
- 1 (15 ounce) canned pumpkin
- 4 ounces low-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 cup California walnuts, coarsely chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
SWEET TART CRUST
- Stir together flour, walnuts and powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Stir in butter and egg. Stir well with a fork until a soft dough forms. Gather into a ball and wrap tightly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.
- Preheat oven to 350℉ and coat a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom with nonstick cooking spray.
- Lay pastry dough on a lightly floured board and roll into an 11-inch circle. Press onto the bottom and sides of prepared pan and poke with a fork on the bottom and sides. Bake for 20 minutes.
FILLING
- While crust is baking, whisk together pumpkin and cream cheese in a medium bowl until smooth. Add brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, egg and egg yolk, beating until incorporated.
- Pour into prepared crust and top with walnuts. Bake for 40 minutes or until the filling is set when the pan is gently tapped.
- Remove from oven and let cool. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Optional: When ready to serve, top each slice with a dollop of whipped cream.
