Resources

Versatility

Versatility

Chefs and menu decision makers around the country are using California walnuts in exciting and innovative ways throughout their menus. Walnuts are appearing on the menus as a wide variety of restaurant and foodservice establishments, showcasing walnuts’ versatility and appeal.

Menu Suggestions

Breakfast

  • Mix walnuts, raisins, rolled oats and bran for easy granola.
  • Add toasted walnuts to cereal or yogurt.
  • Blend bananas and walnuts to make a filling for stuffed French toast.
  • Add walnut pesto to a grilled vegetable omelette.
  • Add chopped walnuts to pancake or waffle mix.

Sandwiches/snacks

  • Add chopped walnuts into sandwich or wrap fillings.
  • Include walnuts in heart-healthy trail mixes.

Appetizers

  • Serve seasoned walnuts as bar snacks.
  • Purée walnuts with garbanzo beans for a great hummus dip.
  • Serve wild mushroom, sweet onion and walnuts on crostini with shaved parmesan.

Salads

  • Add chopped walnuts to your house salad for a signature taste that adds a healthy crunch.
  • Prepare a fig, gorgonzola and walnut salad with arugula.
  • Serve a three bean salad with walnut pesto on Romaine lettuce leaves.
  • Candied walnut “croutons” can be used in virtually any salad.

Pizza

  • The texture of chopped walnuts makes a great addition to crostini or pizza.
  • Prepare whole wheat pizza crust with ground walnuts.
  • Use walnuts, apple pieces and brie cheese to top pizza.

Entrées

  • Add toasted walnuts to stir-fried or sautéed vegetables for added crunch, flavour and nutrients.
  • Add ground walnuts to thicken a turkey chili made with tomato sauce.
  • Mix ground walnuts and breadcrumbs to encrust salmon fillets, chicken breasts or pork chops.

Asian

  • Mix chopped walnuts with crab and mango for Sushi roll filling.
  • Add chopped walnuts to your favourite dumpling filling.
  • Serve a blend of honey walnut shrimp with brown rice.
  • Add chopped walnuts to a savoury Asian noodle dish.

Sauces

  • Add finely chopped walnuts to sauces for texture and taste.
  • Use walnuts and parsley for an updated twist on traditional pesto.
  • Serve a creamy walnut sauce on fettuccini.

Desserts

  • Top bars, squares or icings with walnuts for a tasty decorative finish.
  • Add chopped walnuts to enhance the flavour of muffins, cakes, cookies and breads.
  • Ground walnuts can be added to pie or cheesecake crumb crusts.  
  • Top a small bowl of ice cream with sliced banana, walnuts and dark chocolate sauce.
  • Use toasted walnut halves as a garnish on desserts.

Cheese Platters

  • Add walnuts to cheese platters. They are the perfect complement to both mild and aged cheeses.
  • Combine blue cheese with toasted walnuts and honey.
  • Serve assorted artisan cheeses with dried figs and walnut crisps.