Charred Onion Mascarpone
This charred onion mascarpone dipping sauce pairs perfectly with the Eggplant and Walnut Pies, making it a delicious snack or appetizer.
California Walnuts – walnuts.org
Many of us enjoyed watching Chef Mike Isabella prepare his Mediterranean inspired dishes week after week during season six of Bravo TV’s Top Chef. We also found ourselves wishing we could taste some of his inventive creations. Lucky for us, he has joined California Walnuts as a featured chef on our Chef Menus at Home pages, and shares with us an entire menu of his creative small plates. He even offers a demonstration video of a unique cooking technique illustrating how to prepare a crispy, melt-in-your mouth walnut crusted halibut.
Chef Isabella honed his considerable skills working as executive chef at Jose Andres’ Zaytinya, for over three years. In June 2011 Isabella opened his own Italian-inspired restaurant, Graffiato in Washington D.C. “I love working with walnuts as they fit so well into the cuisine that I most enjoy preparing. They are so versatile—I use them in appetizers, entrees and desserts,” says Isabella who is clearly passionate about cooking and encourages serving his recipes family style as he feels that sharing food with family and friends is the best way to dine.
Whether preparing Isabella’s full menu, or picking and choosing favorites, each dish can stand alone. Steamed broccolini with walnut and red pepper relish adds color and crunch to any meal. Succulent shrimp kabobs and an eggplant and walnut pie with a special mascarpone and charred onion dipping sauce are sure to wow guests. And, of course whimsical rolled baklava is not to be missed. Go ahead, bring this chef menu home to share with friends and family—they won’t be disappointed.
This charred onion mascarpone dipping sauce pairs perfectly with the Eggplant and Walnut Pies, making it a delicious snack or appetizer.
This savory pie made with phyllo dough is perfect as a starter or a more substantial side dish. Slice into pretty triangles, and offer a ramekin of charred onion mascarpone dipping sauce on the side.
This favorite Middle Eastern dessert just got better. This rolled version gives the crunchy, sweet confection a new look, but still delivers exquisite crunch and sweetness.
The combination of walnuts, breadcrumbs and butter makes for a delicious and crispy topping. Try it with other meats including pork, beef or chicken.
This dish packs a flavorful punch! Chopped walnuts add depth to this colorful and festive side.
This charred onion mascarpone dipping sauce pairs perfectly with the Eggplant and Walnut Pies, making it a delicious snack or appetizer.
This savory pie made with phyllo dough is perfect as a starter or a more substantial side dish. Slice into pretty triangles, and offer a ramekin of charred onion mascarpone dipping sauce on the side.
Copyright 2012 California Walnut Commission
Supportive but not conclusive research shows that eating 1.5 ounces of walnuts per day, as part of a low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet, and not resulting in increased caloric intake may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, March 2004.
One ounce of walnuts provides 18g of total fat, 2.5g of monounsaturated fat, 13g of polyunsaturated fat, including 2.5g of alpha–linolenic acid — the plant-based omega–3.