Spring is FINALLY here! Technically it was here in March however I am not sure about your neck of the woods but it has been chilly here so far. Not anymore though and it is time to fire up your grills and enjoy all the wonderful fresh fruits and veggies that are in season.
I have already been strawberry picking twice for my family. We love them! We also love nuts! I don’t cook with them as often as I could but after seeing all the recipes on the Fisher Nuts website I will be now! Fisher continues to partner with Food Network Chef Alex Guarnaschelli and she adds some pretty fantastic sounding dishes to their recipe library. I just love Chef Alex on Chopped but did you know that she recently won on Food Network’s Iron Chef? Congratulations! I looked over all of Chef Alex’s spring recipes and decided to make the Asparagus with Walnuts.
This dish was SUPER easy to make and was ready in just a few minutes, the hard part was not eating all the walnuts the minute I opened them. With grocery stores and farmer’s markets getting in fresh local asparagus my family has been eating it like crazy. What I liked most about this recipe is that it is served cold. Perfect to make ahead of time for a party because it gets better marinating in the dressing. Yum!
Asparagus with Walnuts
Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 pound fairly thin “pencil” asparagus, ends trimmed and discarded, cut into 2 inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup Fisher® Walnut Halves
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Directions:
- Fill a large bowl halfway with ice cubes and add some cold water. Place a colander squarely inside the ice bath. The colander will keep you from having to pick the asparagus out from amongst the ice cubes in the ice bath.
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Add the asparagus and cook for 1 to 1 ½ minutes. You want them to be crunchy. If the asparagus are thicker, cook for 1 ½ to 2 minutes.
- Remove the asparagus from the water using a slotted spoon and transfer them to the colander inside the ice bath. Move them around gently so the ice water penetrates the asparagus and accelerates the cooling process. Vegetables take longer than you think to cool so allow them to sit a few minutes in the ice water. Hold a piece of the asparagus in your hand for a few seconds to assure that it’s really cool (even in the center). If the piece still feels warm, allow them to cool longer in the ice bath. Place them on a kitchen towel to drain any excess moisture.
- Heat oil a medium skillet until hot (but not smoking), add the walnuts and season with ¼ teaspoon salt. They should bubble and fry slightly in the oil. When you can smell the walnuts, add the paprika and cayenne and lower the heat to medium. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, and transfer the mixture to a bowl. Set aside.
- Toss the asparagus in the bowl with the walnuts and the oil. Let this mixture sit in the refrigerator for a few hours or a few minutes. When ready to serve, stir in the lemon juice. Serve immediately.
In an effort to get my family to eat more healthy I am buying less processed foods. My two older girls are in elementary school and I have to send in a snack everyday. This year I stumbled on a granola bar recipe that has become a staple snack in our home. Full of oats and nuts they are tasty, filling, and energy boosting. All the girls love them and I change some of the ingredients so they won’t get bored eating the same snack everyday. Some weeks I will put dark chocolate chips with coconut and almonds while other times I will add sun butter and milk chocolate chips and walnuts. Here is my basic recipe that I originally found on Pinterest but I changed for my family’s taste.
Homemade Healthy Granola Bars
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cups flax seed
- 1/2 cup sesame seed
- 1 cup of nuts or sunflower seeds (or both)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup pure honey
- 4 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Directions:
Toast the oats, flax seeds, sesame seeds and nuts for 25-30 minutes at 325 degrees. Mix coconut oil, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and brown sugar and heat in microwave for about 1 1/2 minutes. Mix toasted items with liquid and put mixture in a 13×9 oiled pan. After chilled cut bars and eat!
I store these in the fridge during the week and just grab one out every day for the girls. My favorite is the coconut, dark chips, and Fisher Nuts Natural Sliced Almonds.
So good!
*I am working with Fisher Nuts 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.
Lisa Brown
I would like to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds
Maureen
Walnut & Blueberry French Toast Bake is the recipe that caught my eye.
Kelly D
I would like to try the Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans.
June M.
I would love to try the Baked Clams with Walnuts
Sara G
Green Bean and Almond Salad
Blessie Nelson
Pear Crisp with Almonds
deb c
I like the Asparagus with Walnuts recipe
Jackie
I’d like to try the recipe for Baked Clams with Walnuts
Thank you!
Jayme H.
I’d first try the Braised Parsnips with Maple Syrup and Pecans.
Thanks!
sheri grennille
I would love to make the almond heart cookies.
Shelly H.
I would like to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds 🙂
shelly peterson
I would like to try the Pecan Chicken Tenders with Dill Mustard Dipping Sauce recipe
Leann Lindeman
Stuffed mushrooms with pecans
Jennifer
I would love to make the chocolate pecan brownies!
Candice
I would try the Green Bean with Walnut salad.
D Schmidt
I would really like to try the stuffed white mushrooms with pecans.
Dorothy Teel
I would love to try this one Pasta and Walnuts alla Carbonara, sounds delicious with pancetta bacon and walnuts..
steve weber
the blueberry french toast bake.
Jingle
I would like to try the pear crisp with almonds.
Lorri S
The pear crisp with almonds looks very good
Alana Vester
I would like to try the Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans.
Shannon F
I want to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds!
Kayla
Anything with the almonds! Especially the almond heart cookies
C.j.
Seared Hanger Steak
Andrea Williams
Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans
Margie Papetti
I’d like to try the Strawberry Crostata with walnuts.
TawndaM
I’d like to try the Wholesome Granola Bars. I’ve been looking for my own favorite recipe for granola bars… 😉
Colleen Maurina
I would like to try her Pear Crisp with Almonds recipe.
Rust
I would like to try the green bean and almond salad.
sandra davis
i want to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds
Kristi C
I would like to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds.
Jessie C.
I would like to try Asparagus with Walnuts recipe
Jennifer T.
I want to try the Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans recipe.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
Carol
I’d like to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds.
Carol
I’d like to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds
Iliana R
I would love to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds first!
Margot C
Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans, sounds wonderful
Margot C
Those Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans sound so marvelous, I’d like to try that
Margot C
I’m so sorry! (a double post – I thought the other one had disappeared)
katherine d
3 nut pie sounds great
Michele L.
Stuffed white mushrooms with pecans
Tamara B.
Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans
Laura
I am known for my chicken salad sandwiches and my secret was to add chopped pecans. I am asked time and time again for my recipe… Guess what is on the menu today? Chicken salad sandwiches…. We love granola bars in my house and have always bought them. I would love to try his granola bar recipe.
amanda assencoa
i would like to try the green bean salad
Kelly Massman
Almond Heart Cookie: pretty and yummy! thanks kmassman gmail
Sarah Hall
I would love to try the recipe for the Pear Crisp with almonds………sounds delicious.
Stacy
Braised Parsnips with Maple Syrup and Pecans
Angela
Baked Clams with Walnuts
Julie Wood
I would love to try the Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts! Looks so delicious!
mrsshukra
Baked Clams with Walnuts recipe!
Ani
I want to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds first.
Fawn H
I would love to try the Pecan Chicken Tenders with Dill Mustard Dipping Sauce recipe first
Cynthia R
almond heart cookies sound really good
Jamie Brigham
The Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts sounds delicious.
Becca
I would love to try Simply Brilliant Pesto because I have never made my own!
Marti Parks
I want to try the pear crisp with almonds.
Stephanie
I would love to try the green bean and almond salad!
Allison Downes
I want to make the Pear Crisp with Almonds
Thanks for the cool giveaway!
shannon Baas
almond heart cookies.
John Hutchens
Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans
Danielle D
Pear Crisp with Almonds!
Tamar
I’d love the stuffed white mushrooms with pecans.
Stephanie Larison
Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts, yum!
Robin Wilson
asparagus with walnuts
pinky sade
I’d love to try the Baked Clams with Walnuts
Nicole Sender
I would like to try the Banana Bread recipe.
janice
I want to try the banana nut pancakes.
Amanda Rauch
My husband would love it if i made the clams with walnuts recipe!! He loves seafood of any kind!!
Cynthia C
I want to try Pear Crisp with Almonds.
Margaret Smith
I’d love to try the Almond Heart Cookies. These look so yummy. Thanks so much.
debbie
stuffed white mushrooms with pecans recipe sounds good.
Dianne McVetty
I would like to try the green bean and almond salad. Thanks.
paulette schneider
Braised Parsnips with Maple Syrup and Pecans–although I’m not a fan of maple syrup,
would substitute molasses or sorghum.
Debra S
The pear crisp with almonds. I LOVE fruit crisps. love nuts!!
Dana Rodriguez
The Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts looks DELISH!
dan williams
Pear Crisp with Almonds
Robert Lloyd
The Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans looks so good! Two of my favorite foods combined!
Ann Fantom
I would like to try the Green Bean and Almond Salad
Sharon Kaminski
woule like to try the asparagus with walnuts, sounds yummy
Cindy
Asparagus with Walnuts.
william stage
Love to have some nuts
Robert
the asparagus with walnuts
Aaron Treadway
I would make the granola bars.
PAIGE CHANDLER
I want to try the black raspberry walnut torte….Mmmmmm
Diane F
asparagus with walnuts sounds yummy!!
beth shepherd
Baked Clams with Walnuts
ELIZABETH C.
I WANT TO TRY THE TURKEY BREAST WITH MUSHROOMS & WALNUTS !
Tari Lawson
I would like to try the asparagus with walnuts.
Linda White
Green bean and almond sald sounds quite good and different.
Monique Rizzo
Green Bean and Almond salad.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
AuraR
I’d also like to try the Pear Crisp with Almond
kelly Nicholson
Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts
Maxine
I’d love to try the Asparagus with Walnuts — two of my favorite foods so it can’t go wrong!
KellyEsq
Pear crisp with almonds
Bri S.
I would love to try the Almond Heart Cookies.
Selinda
I would like to try the Pear Crisp and Almond
Tiffany W
would love to try the almond heart cookies.
ivy a
I would make the Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans yum.
Kyl Neusch
Pear Crisp with Almonds
Cathy Truman
I would like to try the Red, White, Blue Salad.
Kris B
I would love to try the strawberry crostata with walnuts!
Tracy L Davis
Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans.
Serena Powell
I’d like to try the Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake
g. penrod
granola bars yumm
latanya
Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans
Sara B
I want to try the strawberry crostata with walnuts
nancy p
I would like to try the Asparagus with walnuts
DJ
Carrot Cake Cupcakes 😛
MK
almond heart cookies!
Teresa Layfield
The Pear Crisp With Almonds looks like a winner. I would try that one first because I have a pear tree and always looking for recipes to use these in.
melina r
I would like to try the pear crisp with almonds
Denise B.
I would make the almond heart cookies.
Ttrockwood
The green bean and almond salad looks great!!
Melissa Zimmerman
Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake
Denise M
stuffed white mushrooms with pecans
Liberty Boblett
I cannot wait to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds! Thanks! 🙂
sandra
i’d want to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds recipe
Cody Anderson
I would like to try the Pear Crisp with Almonds.
Linda Lansford
I want to make Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts
kim
I would love to try the Baked Clams with Walnuts
polly
would love to try the ice cream pie recipe…looks yummy!
Meaghan F.
I want to make Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts.
Mendy Dinsmore
I would to make the Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts
Michelle Tucker
I’d like to try the Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans .
kath g
i’m going to try cold peanut noodles with chicken…
Nancy
I’d like to try Asparagus with Walnuts.
Michele P
the pear crisp with almonds would be the first I’d want to try.
Christine
the Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans.
stephanie
Pear crisp with almonds sound great!!
Kathie Craig
Pear Crisp with Almonds
Kathy Lane
I would love to try the Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans.
Marcia Goss
I want to try the Peanut Butter Fudge recipe.l
Margaret Burgess
The chicken salad looks fantastic.
Christy
I want to try the Simply Brilliant Pesto
Rebecca
pear crisp with almonds
Lorena Keech
I’d like to try the Caramel, Apple, Pecan Cheesecake
Virginia Rowell
I would try the Seared Hanger Steak with Brown Sugar Carrots and Walnuts. It looks so yummy.
nicolle
I would like to try the Almond Heart Cookies
Betty
Love to try the Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts
Christine didyk
Pear crisps w almonds
Terra Heck
I’d like to try the Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans recipe. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
Lorrie Rodgers (pinklady705)
Pecan Chicken Tenders with Dill Mustard Dipping Sauce
Mindy
Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts
Kristy
I want to try the Strawberry Crustata with walnuts.
Rita M
The Pear Crisp with Almonds looks really good!
Karen
Braised Parsnips with Maple Syrup and Pecans.
Rebecca Moore
Almond Heart Cookies look good 🙂
Jim Cabaj
I would like to try the Green Bean and Almond Salad
Carla
The stuffed white mushrooms with pecans.
Amanda Kinder
I’d really like to try the Strawberry Crostata with Walnuts.
Jessica Rose
The Baked Clams with Walnuts
Starr Greenwell
I would love to try the pear crisp with almonds.
Sheila K.
I’d like to try the Stuffed White Mushrooms with Pecans!
Lucy Schwartz
I vote with the person who wanted to try the Walnuts with Blueberry Baked French Toast. Superb.
Lynne T.
I would first like to try the Macadamia Coffee Cake.
Gianna
Almond Heart Cookies.
virginia
Everything looks simply delectable!
Ed Nemmers
Walnut and Blueberry French Toast Bake would be my recipe of choice!
Heather S
the pear crisp with almonds