For some reason I have never been a nut fan, luckily so though because I have a little one with a peanut allergy. Maybe its because I can’t have them as often as I’d like now but as of recently I discovered just how yummy nuts can be different dishes. My husband absolutely loves all the different nuts out there and whenever I can I try to make nut-inspired dishes for him. So when the kids sleep at grandma’s or for a treat for my husband at work, I try to incorporate something nut-related.
With the holidays coming up it seems like nuts are the perfect solution to so many somewhat boring or bland recipes. Well Fisher Nuts has teamed up with Food Network Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, a regular judge on Chopped, to showcase some simple tips and recipes for cooking with nuts. With their new Freshness Seal Bag it makes it easy to grab what you need and store the rest.
Here are Chef Alex Guaranschelli’s 10 Simple Twists on Cooking with Nuts:
- Healthy Snack: Nuts add wonderful flavor and texture when mixed into recipes, but they can also be a healthy snack—season nuts with a little cayenne and quickly roast them in a little olive or nut oil.
- Crusty Crunch: Use nuts instead of breadcrumbs for added flavor and nutrition. For example, grind some almonds and use them to make a crust for meat or fish.
- No Regret Vinaigrette: Need a new vinaigrette? Roast a handful of nuts,(for example, walnuts), and blend them with 3 parts olive oil and 1 part lemon juice.
- Savory & Sassy Sauces: Slow cooking a piece of meat? Add a few nuts to some of the cooking liquid, blend it smooth and pour it back into the rest of the cooking liquid to naturally enrich the flavor and thicken your sauce.
- Flavorful French Toast: Coat slices of French toast with ground nuts just before browning the slices. This will add great flavor and texture.
- Upgraded Spice Rub: Next time you’re cooking meat, add some ground nuts to your spice rub. The nuts can mellow some of the heat from the spice and add needed richness to the mix.
- Fresh Twist on Rice: Nuts are delicious in a classic rice pilaf. Stir some roasted nuts into the rice just before serving. You can also mix nuts with wild rice.
- Top It Off: Parsley and basil are great flavors to finish many holiday dishes. Try chopping parsley with some Fisher almonds for added texture and taste.
- Quick and Simple Dessert: For a great addition to your holiday dessert table, melt some sugar in a pan until golden brown and stir in some nuts. Transfer the mixture to a baking sheet to cook and then break into pieces for a quick and simple nut brittle.
- Spruced up Salads: Healthy greens are a great companion to nuts. Try topping a chopped Arugula salad with walnuts or adding pecans to Dandelion greens. Radicchio is delicious with almonds and apples. Using nuts can easily expand your salad horizon.
After browsing Chef Alex’s recipes, I found so many yummy looking ones like Asparagus with Walnuts, Braised Parsnips with Maple Syrup and Pecans, Pear Crisp with Almonds, Green Bean and Almond Salad, just to name a few.
So far I have tackled a cookie recipe with pecans that it was absolute hit with my family! While it wasn’t a Chef Alex recipe, the Fisher Nuts really make the cookies pop in your mouth!
Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup green sugar crystals
- 1/2 cup red sugar crystals
- 1 cup pecan halves
Directions:
- Cream together the butter and cream cheese. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy.
- Combine the flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in chopped pecans. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- On four sheets of aluminum foil, shape dough into four 6 inch rolls, 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap each roll tightly in foil and refrigerate over night.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line cookie sheets with foil. Remove rolls of dough from refrigerator one at a time. Coat each roll with red or green sugar crystals; cut dough into 1/4 inch slices.
- Place on prepared cookie sheets; top each cookie with a pecan half. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until bottom of cookie is lightly browned when lifted.
From now on I will be keeping Fisher Nuts on hand for all those last minute touches to my favorite dishes! I can’t wait too to try out Chef Alex’s 10 tips!
BUY IT: Look for Fisher Nuts at your local grocery store in all your favorite nut varieties.
WIN IT: (1) US winner will receive a Cooking With Fisher Nuts Prize Pack (around $70 value)
- Fisher Chef’s Naturals Slivered Almonds
- Fisher Chef’s Naturals Pecan Halves
- Fisher Chef’s Naturals Walnut Halves & Pieces
- Food Network 5-Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups
- Food Network Silicone Spatula
- OXO Whisk
- Wood Cutting Board
Mom and More Disclosure: I am working with Fisher to share Chef Alex Guarnaschelli’s recipes and create my own original recipe using Fisher Nuts and tools they provided. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments. Please see my Disclosure Policy.
Amanda says
Those Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies look delicious. I plan on making them tomorrow!!!
Cher says
Oh they are so good! I actually make them without nuts all the time and eat them for breakfast 🙂
ashley says
i like the Caramel apple pecan cheesecake
jhing says
seared Hanger Steak with Brown Sugar Carrots and Walnuts
Juanita A May says
Almond heart cookies
crissi mcveay says
Seared Hanger Steak with Brown Sugar Carrots and Walnuts – sounds yum!
carol lewis says
Ooh, Almond Heart Cookies! Yummy!
Julie says
the baked clams with walnuts
Angela Cash says
I would like to try the Parsley, Garlic & Pecan Pasta.
Yenny says
I would love to try the Green Bean and Almond Salad
Tanya White says
I would e to try the Asparagus with Walnuts
Allyson Tice says
Baked Clams with Walnuts looks yummy.. i gotta try these for New Years!!!
Blessie Nelson says
I would love to try Green Bean and Almond Salad!
Robyn says
I would definitely try the almond heart cookies because I love to bake desserts!! These sound yummy!
Nicole C. says
I would love to try the Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts.
Pam Flynn says
Cream Cheese Christmas Cookies look so good..They look a lot like Sushi which I love!!!
Joretta Foster says
pecan pie
Candace says
Pear Crisp with Almonds! Yumm!
Patrice P. says
I would like to try the Green Bean and Almond Salad.
Susan Smith says
I’d like to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds
Gaye M says
I’d like to try the Savory Pecan Cheese Spread.
Amy W. says
I’d like to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds.
Kim Burnett says
Green Bean and Almond Salad
Aaron Bretveld says
I would like to try the Braised Parsnips with Maple Syrup and Pecans
Vikki Billings says
I would like to try the Almond Stuffed Chicken Breast
Deborah Hogue says
Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans sound awesome
Kathleen M Smith says
Green Bean and Almond Salad
SassyPants213 says
Pear Crisp with Almonds
Annemarie Z. says
I would love to try the Almond Heart Cookies!
laurie says
the almond heart cookies looks good to me
Jennifer Reed says
I would like to try her Green Bean Salad with Almonds from the recipe site.
Vanessa says
the almond heart cookies are beautiful .
Virginia Rowell says
I want to try the pear crisps with almonds!
naomi c says
Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts
Sharold says
Pear Crisp with Almonds
Helen Keeler says
The Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans.
Tammy Shelton says
I’d like to try the Almond Heart Cookies.
Debby says
I’d like to try Green Bean and Almond Salad. 🙂
Stacy says
Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts!
Carolyn N. says
I would like to try the Chocolate Pecan Brownies.
cjnedrow at gmail dot com
Michelle W says
Almond Heart Cookies look good
Cori Westphal says
I’d love to try out the Pecan Chicken Tenders with Dill Mustard Dipping Sauce!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Ruth Anderson says
I would like to try the ASPARAGuS Walnut recipe ,my so is growing some Asparagus ,so we .give this recipe a try .
Megan Cromes says
pear crisp with almonds.
Amanda J. says
Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans
Priscilla Benavides says
I would love to try the Green Bean and Almond salad recipe!
priscillavbenavides at yahoo dotcom
Dijah A says
Baked clam with walnuts
Brenda says
I would like to try the asparagus with walnuts recipe.
Julie Lynn Bickham says
Would like to make the Almond Heart Cookies.
Gloria S says
I would like to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds
Claire says
I’d love to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds.
carla aldrich says
Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts looks oh so yummy! My dough never turns out good, wonder if other pastry shells would also work or cut pre-made pie dough!
ann muth says
french toast is what I’d like to make
Megan Parsons says
Seared Hanger Steak with Brown Sugar Carrots and Walnuts
Michelle says
Almond cookies
Mandala says
I like the Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans recipe
Tara Liebing says
The Caramel apple pecan cheesecake sounds delicious
Allyson Bossie says
http://www.fishernuts.com/recipes/alex/Green-Bean-and-Almond-Salad is the recipe that looks delish to me
Christine says
the Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans
Natalie U says
Asparagus with walnuts
pedidentalasst at yahoo dot com
Erin R. says
I like the Almond Heart Cookies
Lynette Mattke says
I’d make the Pear Crisp With Almonds.
latanya says
almond heart cookies
Leslie Galloway says
I’d love to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds.
Facebook Name: Leslie Galloway (www.facebook.com/GallowayLeslie)
runinboise says
Green Bean and Almond Salad
Jess McCarthy says
I’d love to try the seared hangar steak with brown sugar carrots and walnuts!!!
Jan Messali says
I’d like to try the Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans.
Gayle says
OMG, I am going to make the Asparagus and Walnuts.! How perfect, I love them both. I can’t wait to see what frying the walnuts in oil with paprika and cayenne will do to enhance the flavor of the asparagus.
Sheila K. says
The Caramel, Apple, Pecan Cheesecake sounds good to me!
Selinda says
Pear Crisp with Almonds sounds wonderful!
Monique Rizzo says
The stuffed white mushrooms with pecans.
Thanks for the chance.
[email protected]
Rochelle says
I want to try the Seared Hanger Steak with Brown Sugar Carrots and Walnuts recipe. Thanks!
AndreaH says
I’d love to try the Mojito Chicken Breast recipe.
Kimberly Schotz says
The Pear Crisp with Almonds sounds tasty
Connie Lee says
I would like to try the Pear Crisp, this looks really good!
FRANK S says
Seared Hanger Steak with Brown Sugar Carrots and Walnuts
Marj M. says
I’d like to try the rise & shine Oatmeal Muffins.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
Jennifer T. says
I’d love to make the Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans recipe. I just need to find someone to eat them with me because no one in my family likes mushrooms.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
Daniel M says
The almond heart cookies look good
Audra Weathers says
I’d like to try the stuffed white mushrooms with pecans.
Eileen says
We’d love to make the Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans
http://www.fishernuts.com/recipes/alex/Stuffed-White-Mushrooms-with-Pecans
Vera S says
I would like to try the Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans.
Kristen says
I’d like to try the Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts
LeAnn v says
I’d like to make the stuffed white mushrooms with pecans.
Katie Morris Crider says
Pear Crisp w/ Almonds
Cindy says
Asparagus with Walnuts.
amandasue says
carrot cake cupcakes look great!
ronda garnett says
Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts
Kelly D says
I would like the Baked Clams with walnuts.
Terra Heck says
Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans
Thanks
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
Bryan E. says
Thanks for the giveaway… we want to try the Seared Hanger Steak with Brown Sugar Carrots and Walnuts recipe.
virgomomwriter says
Asparagus with walnuts…yum!
LaVonne @ Long Wait says
I want to try this one: http://www.fishernuts.com/recipes/alex/Strawberry-Crostata-with-Walnuts for sure!
Sharon Kaminski says
asparagus with walnuts i would like
jeanette sheets says
almond heart cookies
Lois Jones says
I would love to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds!!
Andrea Williams says
I would like to try the Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans.
Ellen B says
the almond heart cookies look good
trish says
I’d like to try the Turkey Breast with mushrooms/walnuts. Sounds delicious. Thanks for the giveawy.
Jan says
I love Chef Alex 🙂 I would like to try her Stuffed-White-Mushrooms-with-Pecans, yummm!
Cynthia C says
I’d like to try Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans
Ann Fantom says
I would like to try Alex’s Green Bean and Almond Salad recipe
Debra S says
Pear Crisp with Almonds! OR Walnuts OR pecans… gosh I would mix it up with this recipe. AND put on a bit of whipped cream OR ice cream OR custard! LOL
Mary says
The pear crisp with almond recipe sounds very good.
deb c says
White mushrooms stuffed w/pecans
Deb K says
Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts
Nicole Strunk says
They all look good especially the Baked Clams with Walnuts
Sue Hull says
I’d like to try the Strawberry Crosata w/ Walnuts. Looks good! Thank you for the awesome giveaway! 🙂
D Schmidt says
I would like to try the pear crisp with almonds
Steven Epstein says
Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans
nannypanpan says
i like stuffed white mushrooms with pecans
alh1203 says
almond heart cookies
sandra says
i’d like to try the pear crisp with almonds
Teresa Young says
Asparagus with Walnuts
Kayla @ TheEclecticElement says
The Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans sounds heavenly!
Thank you for this wonderful giveaway 🙂
Jennifer says
The almond heart cookies!
Ani says
I’d love to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds.
rebeka deleon says
i want to try the stuffed white mushrooms with pecans.
Margie says
I’d like to try the Turkey Breast with Mushrooms and Walnuts.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Happy Holidays!
Peggy says
I’d love to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds
sweetheart4171(at)yahoo(dot)com
Lisa Brown says
I would like to try the Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts
Wendi says
Seared Hanger Steak with Brown Sugar Carrots and Walnuts
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
I want to make the Almond Heart Cookies !
Cynthia R says
i want to try Pear Crisp with Almonds
Seyma Shabbir says
Pear crisp with almonds.