Walnut Recipes

Sweet rice dumplings (Japanese ohagi) blend cooked sweet brown rice with raisins and cinnamon, then roll the small balls in coarsely chopped roasted walnuts. A naturally vegan, no-sugar treat.

Best Sex in a Pan is a retro layered icebox dessert with a walnut shortbread crust, sweet cream cheese filling, vanilla and chocolate pudding stripes, and a Cool Whip topping finished with shaved chocolate.

Garlic cheese and walnut dip with cream cheese, sharp cheddar, curry, paprika, chili powder, and fresh dill. An unexpectedly spiced party dip with real crunch from chopped walnuts. No cooking needed.

Vegan date nut muffins made with whole wheat flour, wheat germ, molasses, and apple juice instead of eggs. Hearty, naturally sweetened bran muffins with walnuts and lemon zest.

Pasta alla Genovese with pesto, blanched green beans, Yukon gold potatoes, toasted walnuts, and Parmesan. The classic Ligurian pasta dish that proves carbs and vegetables together is genius.

Swiss gingerbread from Lucerne with pear purée, walnuts, whole wheat flour and a warming mix of star anise, cloves, cinnamon and ginger. Traditional Lebkuchen-style holiday bake.

French Belgian endive salad (Salade d'Endives) with a Dijon mustard and walnut oil vinaigrette, garnished with walnuts and fresh tomatoes. A crisp, bitter, elegant starter.

Maple syrup is the only sweetener in these soft, chewy oatmeal cookies with rolled oats, raisins, and chopped walnuts or pecans. Old-fashioned and refined-sugar-free.

Asparagus and acorn squash rings make a stunning fall side dish: tender squash hoops threaded with asparagus spears, finished with a buttery walnut sauce sharp with lemon, cider vinegar, and apple cider. Holiday-table showpiece.

Chicken with cashew nuts in a hoisin and sherry sauce with mushrooms and water chestnuts, served over ramen noodles. A quick Asian-style stir-fry with a glossy, savory-sweet sauce and crunchy cashews added at the last second.

Whole wheat biscotti with toasted walnuts and hazelnuts twice-bake into crisp, lemon-zest-scented cookies for dunking. Lower-sugar Italian cookie shaped into ropes, sliced, then re-baked.

Chilled Avocado Soup with ginger, serrano chile, and lime, topped with cilantro cream and walnut oil-dressed julienned radishes. A layered Mexican-inspired cold soup that also works served hot.

Chocolate chip walnut pie with melty chocolate chunks, toasted walnuts, and brown sugar baked into a flaky pastry crust. Cookie-meets-pie hybrid that begs for vanilla ice cream on top.

Gluten-free pizza with a crispy rice crust made from cooked rice, Parmesan, and egg. Topped with sauteed mushrooms, peppers, and bubbly mozzarella.

Apple-filled acorn squash with brown sugar, chopped walnuts, and orange zest. Baked cut-side down first for tender flesh, then filled and finished in the oven. A vegan fall side.

Sesame spinach salad dressed with walnut oil, sesame oil, and reduced-sodium soy sauce, topped with sliced mushrooms and toasted sesame seeds. A light, nutty Asian-style side.