Browsing Ingredients

walnuts

Vegetables

Kale Salad with Pecorino & Walnuts

I’m just getting to know kale. This finely shredded salad has a lot of steps (toast the walnuts, plump the raisins, toast the breadcrumbs, grate the pecorino), but it’s elegant and special, and is a lovely way to enjoy your leafy greens.

Yield: 3 to 4 servings Total time: 40 minutes
Vegetarian

Farro Risotto with Butternut Squash & Ham

This recipe was a bit ambitious for a weeknight in our house, but is a winning combination of creamy farro and Parmesan cheese, grated butternut squash, and (perfect for holiday leftovers) diced ham. Farro contains the same amount of calories as rice, but more fiber and protein, so it’s a great nutritional choice.

Yield: 4 servings Total time: 1 hour
Nibbles

Hungarian Pastry Jam Bars

These bars have a tender pastry base, a layer of raspberry jam, a layer of browned egg whites similar to merengue, and a sprinkling of chopped walnuts. They’re the perfect dessert for girls’ night.

Yield: 12 to 16 bars Total time: 50 minutes
Munchies

Brie & Grape Crostini

Top toasted slices of French bread with brie, red grapes, drizzled honey, and chopped walnuts for a perfect girls’ night snack.

Total time: 15 minutes
Vegetarian

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

Butternut squash is one of my favorite foods, and I love any opportunity to make it the star of a meal. For this dish, roast diced butternut squash with maple syrup and dried cranberries, and then dress it with a mixture of apple cider vinegar, shallots, and Dijon mustard. Combine with arugula, walnuts, and Parmesan cheese.

Yield: 4 servings Total time: 45 minutes
Dips

Joi’s Blue Cheese Spread with Walnuts

Joi gave me this recipe shortly before my Mom’s fiftieth birthday. Everyone at Mom’s birthday dinner was pleasantly surprised by the wonderful spread, especially the boys, who had purchased the stinky (according to them) cheese that afternoon.

Yield: 8 servings Total time: 30 minutes