Fettucini With a Creamy Walnut Pesto & Crispy Bacon
Ingredients
400 gms fettucine pasta
5 ml olive oil
15 gms butter
15 gms onions chopped
7.5 gms celery chopped
5 gms garlic chopped
5 gms red chilli chopped
15 ml white wine
5 to 6 streaky bacon rashers; cooked crispy in the oven for 12 minutes.
15 gms parsley chopped
Ingredients for the pesto
150 gms California walnuts
30 gms parmesan cheese
5 gms garlic
30 ml olive oil
120 ml water for cooking pasta
120 ml heavy cream
1 gms nutmeg 1 big pinch
Salt & pepper to taste
Preparations:
- Cook the pasta for 11 minutes until al dente in boiling salted water.
- Reserve 240 ml of the water after the pasta is drained and set aside.
- Add 15 ml oil into the pasta.
- Toss it well so that it does not stick to each other.
- Reserve until needed.
For the pesto
Blend all the ingredients until it is not completely smooth but a little chunky.
For garnish
- Heat olive oil & butter in a pan. Add the chopped onions, garlic & chili.
- Sauté for 2 minutes. Deglaze the pan with white wine.
- Add the walnut pesto in the pan, toss the cooked pasta into the sauce and mix well.
- Season to taste.
- Garnish with chopped crispy bacon, chopped walnuts and parsley.

California Walnut And Vanilla Crème Brulée
Ingredients
4 cups (1 lt) whipping cream
2 cups (500 ml) California walnuts, toasted
2 tbsp (30 ml) walnut oil
12 egg yolks
1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
Glazed Walnuts:
10 California walnut halves
5 ml maple syrup
Icing sugar, for dusting
175 ml granulated sugar, for caramelizing
Preparations:
- Toasting Walnuts: In large, dry skillet over medium-high heat, toast walnuts, stirring occasionally, until lightly brown, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Combine cream, walnuts and walnut oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Heat to 100°C. Remove from heat and let stand 20 minutes to allow infusion of walnut flavour. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and keep warm. Discard walnuts.
- Beat egg yolks, sugar and vanilla bean in a mixing bowl until pale and thick. Strain through a fine mesh strainer. Gradually pour the cream into the egg mixture, whisking until combined.
- Pour mixture into 10 (175 ml) ramekins. Place ramekins in a large baking pan; pour boiling water into the pan to halfway up sides. Bake at 150°C about 50 to 60 minutes, or until custard is just set. Remove from oven and set ramekins on a rack to cool slightly. Transfer to refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
- Glazed Walnuts: Meanwhile place walnuts in small dry skillet over medium heat. Stir a few minutes until fragrant. Stir maple syrup into walnuts and cook 1 minute, or until well-coated and syrup is absorbed into walnuts. Transfer to parchment paper-lined tray to cool. Dust lightly with icing sugar.
- Just before serving, sprinkle 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sugar on each ramekin. Using a kitchen torch or oven broiler to brown and caramelize sugar. Immediately top with a glazed walnut.

Roasted Walnut And Cauliflower Tacos
Ingredients
Filling
1 head cauliflower, small, chopped
1 cup California walnut pieces, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
¾ cup onion, minced
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 jalapeno, medium, seeded, minced
½ cup water
¼ cup tomato paste
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin, ground
1 teaspoon oregano, dried
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
Tacos
12 tortillas, corn, small, warmed
1 ½ cups green cabbage, shredded
¾ cup cheese, crumbled
½ cup California walnuts, chopped, toasted
Cilantro leaves, fresh
Lime wedges
Preparations:
- Preheat oven to 245°C. Coat cauliflower with 1 tablespoon olive oil; place on a baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Reduce oven temperature to 175°C and toast walnuts for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add to pan with cauliflower.
- Heat remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Add garlic and jalapeno cook for 2 minutes more. Stir in water, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, oregano and salt; cook until mixture is thick and excess water has cooked off. Stir in cauliflower mixture.
- Spoon mixture into warmed tortillas and top with cabbage, cheese, walnuts and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.
Optional: Cauliflower mixture may be ground in a food processor so that it resembles the texture of ground meat.

Afghani Pulao Recipe
Ingredients
4 bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed
1-1/2 cup basmati rice
1/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons oil, divided
2 medium onions, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 tablespoon store bought garam masala spice mixture
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
4-1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons hot water, divided
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup California walnuts
3 carrots, julienned
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder (optional)
Preparations:
- Wash and rinse the rice 4 times. Soak it in water and set aside for at least 30 minutes.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add 1/3 cup oil and fry the onion until brown in color. Remove onion from oil, preserving the oil.
- Add onion to a blender. Add 3 tablespoons water to the blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
In a large pan, heat the remaining oil from the onion over medium heat. When hot, add the chicken thighs. - Brown the chicken thighs, cooking 3-4 minutes on each side. Add the blended onion, garlic, salt, garam masala, cumin and cinnamon. Mix well.
- Add 1-1/2 cups of hot water, let the mixture simmer about 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked. When around 1/4 cup water is left in the pan, remove the chicken and set aside.
- Add remaining 3 cups of water to the pan, when it comes to a boil add the rice. Reduce heat to low, cover the pan, and cook for 35 minutes.
- Add 3 tablespoon oil to a frying pan and shallow fry raisins and walnuts for 3 minutes over medium heat. Remove and set aside. Add carrot and cardamom powder, fry for 3 minutes.
- To serve, dish the rice on a big plate, add the chicken and garnish with fried carrots, raisins and walnuts.

Honey Walnut Shrimp
Ingredients
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup California walnut halves
Shrimp
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 pounds large uncooked shrimp
3 tablespoons oil, divided
Sauce
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons lemon juice
To Serve
2 cups cooked white rice
1 cup chopped cabbage mix (store-bought)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
2 scallions, thinly sliced
Preparations:
Walnuts
- Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
- In a small saucepan combine the sugar and water over medium high heat. Allow the sugar to dissolve, stir just once.
- Sprinkle with salt and then add the walnuts. Stir to coat, then immediately turn the walnuts out onto the prepared baking sheet and working quickly, spread them out before they set. Allow to cool completely. Break up any walnuts that may be stuck together once cooled.
Shrimp
- In a large Ziploc bag, combine the cornstarch, garlic powder, and salt. Zip the bag and shake. Add the shrimp into the bag, zip and continue to shake until all the shrimp are evenly coated with the mixture.
- Add the shrimp into the bag, zip and continue to shake until all the shrimp are evenly coated with the mixture.
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 ½ tablespoons of oil to the pan and cook half the shrimp for 2 minutes per side. Remove shrimp to a plate. Repeat with the second batch.
Sauce
- Add all the sauce ingredients to a large bowl and stir. Toss with the shrimp and walnuts just before serving.
To Assemble
- On a bed of rice, add cabbage mix followed by the prepared honey walnut shrimp.
- Top with red pepper flakes, toasted sesame seeds, scallions and lime wedges. Serve immediately.

Pomegranate Glazed Chicken With California Walnut And Pomegranate Couscous
Ingredients
For the chicken:
1 tablespoon sumac
1 large clove of garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
A pinch of salt and pepper
4 chicken thighs, bone in and skin on
60 ml pomegranate molasses
For the couscous:
160 gms couscous
30 ml extra virgin olive oil
20 ml lemon juice
10 ml pomegranate molasses
Small bunch of flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Small bunch of mint, roughly chopped
Seeds from half a pomegranate
80 gms California walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
Preparations:
- Mix together the garlic, sumac and olive oil, season with the salt and pepper and massage into the chicken thighs. Leave to marinate for at least 1 hour.
- Once marinated, place the chicken thighs on a barbecue over medium hot coals.
- After 10 minutes brush the chicken with the 60 ml of pomegranate molasses – continue cooking until sticky and glazed on the outside and cooked right through on the inside. (If you’re unsure you can pierce the chicken with a skewer – if the juices are pink keep cooking the chicken until they run clear).
- Cook the couscous as per the packet instructions. Meanwhile, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and 10 ml of molasses.
- Mix into the couscous along with the pomegranate seeds, fresh herbs and walnuts. Serve alongside the chicken.

California Walnut Omega Burgers
Ingredients
2 cups California walnuts, toasted
1 cup garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup cooked red or white quinoa
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
2 tablespoons chia seeds, ground
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 eggs
2 cloves garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
Preparations:
- Combine walnuts, beans, quinoa, bread crumbs, chia seeds, vinegar, 1 tablespoon oil, cumin, eggs and garlic in food processor. Pulse to finely chop ingredients and season with salt and pepper.
- Using wet hands, shape mixture into 6 patties. Lightly press finely chopped walnuts onto both sides.
- Heat remaining oil in a very large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook patties for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown, adding additional oil to skillet after turning if necessary.
- Serve on toasted whole grain buns or ciabatta rolls with lettuce, tomato and onion and any other desired condiments.

Chili Lime Chicken
With Walnuts
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter, divided
2 teaspoons Mexican seasoning blend, divided
2 teaspoons garlic salt, divided
1/2 cup coarsely broken or chopped California walnut halves
4 small chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
Cilantro seasoned rice and fresh pico de gallo and (optional toppings)
Preparations:
- In a large skillet melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add 1/2 teaspoon of the Mexican seasoning blend and 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt to butter, and stir in walnuts. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until toasty, stirring frequently. Remove from skillet.
- In the same skillet melt remaining butter over medium heat. Add remaining seasoning blend and garlic salt. Add chicken and turn to coat both sides with butter. Cook for 5 minutes on each side until cooked through. Add lime juice to skillet and cook a few minutes more. Top with avocado.
- Serve chicken over rice and top with pico de gallo, if desired.

Naan Bread Pizza
Ingredients
½ cup (125 ml) California walnuts
½ cup (125 ml) parmesan cheese, grated
7 sundried tomatoes
2 tablespoon (30 ml) water
2 Naan flatbreads
½ cup (125 ml) zucchini, thinly sliced
½ cup (125 ml) onion, thinly sliced and caramelized
⅓ cup (75 ml) mushrooms, sliced
8 cherry tomatoes, sliced
¼ cup (50 ml) canned artichokes, sliced
⅓ cup (75 ml) low fat mozzarella, grated
Preparations:
- Combine California walnuts, parmesan cheese and sundried tomatoes with a hand blender or food processor until it forms a paste. Divide and spread evenly between both flatbreads and top with vegetables and cheese.
- Grilling Method: Preheat one side of barbecue on high and place the pizzas on cooler part of barbecue. Cover with the lid and let it bake for about 7 to 10 minutes until vegetables are cooked and cheese has melted.
- Oven Method: Preheat oven to 200°C and place pizzas directly on centre rack. Bake for 7 minutes. Broil on high for 2 minutes to brown vegetables if desired.
Tip: To caramelize the onions, sauté sliced onions with 1 tbsp of oil (15 ml) on medium heat, stirring occasionally until soft and golden brown.
Tip: Makes a great appetizer served on a rustic cutting board for 6 to 8 people.

Curried Walnut Chicken
Ingredients
Chicken and marinade:
1/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup sherry or red wine
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoons grated fresh ginger root OR 1-1/2 teaspoons powdered ginger
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
Lemon curry sauce:
2/3 cup chopped California walnuts
1/3 cup fat-free mayonnaise
1/3 cup plain nonfat yogurt
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 clove minced garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
Preparations
Preparations:
Chicken and Marinade
- To make the marinade, in a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, sherry or red wine, oil, sugar, garlic and gingerroot or powdered ginger. Whisk until the sugar has dissolved.
- Put the chicken in a large lock-top plastic bag and pour in the marinade. Press the air out and seal the bag tightly, then massage the bag gently to distribute the marinade.
- Place in a large bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or for up to 24 hours. Remove the chicken from the marinade; reserve the marinade.
- To barbeque the chicken, grill over hot coals, turning occasionally and brushing 2 or 3 times with the reserved marinade during the first 10 minutes.
- Alternately, cook the chicken under the broiler, turning it once and brushing 2 or 3 times with the reserved marinade during the first 8 minutes.
- Total cooking time is about 15 minutes; chicken is done when it is opaque throughout, with no trace of pink in the center; cut into a couple pieces to be sure.
- Serve breast halves accompanied by the Lemon Curry Sauce.
Lemon Curry Sauce:
Combine walnuts, mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, curry and garlic in food processor, and pulse until walnuts are finely chopped and mixture is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
