Winter is upon us. With that comes spending plenty of time in the kitchen preparing for the holidays. Sometimes I hit a rut in the kitchen and need some inspiration. Food Network chef Alex Guarnaschelli {you may recognize her from judging on Chopped} has teamed up with Fisher Nuts to bring you Simple Twists holiday recipes.
Each recipe brings a delicious twist on holiday dishes. Like Green Been and Almond Salad, Braised Parsnips with Maple Syrup and Pecans, Baked Clams with Walnuts. All of Alex’s recipes can be found at www.fishernuts.com/alex. There you can share and print out the recipes you want to try.
Fisher Nuts sent me a Cooking with Nuts care package to create my own recipe featuring their Chef’s Naturals nuts. First, I have to say how much I love the bag design. The bag stands upright on the counter top while I scooped out nuts with a measuring cup. So smart! Once I’m done using them, I simply zip the bag up, and pop it in the freezer. I’ve found they last longer and it keeps their naural oils from going rancid.
I created two recipes using the Fisher Nuts Chef’s Naturals Wanuts. Walnuts are a quintessential winter nut in my mind. The first is a festive Orange Cranberry Loaf.
2 TB softened organic butter
1 cup organic sugar
Juice and zest of one organic orange, plus enough water to make 3/4 cup
1/4 cup very dry sherry
1 organic egg, beaten
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup halved organic cranberries
1 cup chopped Fisher Nuts Chef’s Naturals Walnuts, toastedPreheat oven to 350 F.
Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl. Beat in the juice and water mixture, sherry, and egg until smooth. Fold in flour, powder, soda, and salt until thoroughly incorporated. Fold in cranberries and walnuts.
Grease two 8- or 9-inch loaf pans and dust with flour. Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake 50-60 minutes, until golden in color and the center is firm. Let cool 5-10 minutes in pan, then remove to a wire rack and cool completely.
The second recipe is one that doubles as a gift! Make these ahead of time to hand out at holiday parties or for last minute gift giving. These Chocolate Walnut Muffins were a big hit with Luv and her friends this weekend. The key for this is to pack each ingredient well into the jar. *tip: the bottom of a wine or champagne glass works perfectly to pack ingredients well.
For the Gift in a Jar Chocolate Walnut Muffins, pack the following ingredients in a quart size canning jar:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup vanilla-infused organic sugar {you can use plain sugar too}
1 cup organic chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped Fisher Nuts Chef’s Naturals Walnuts, toasted
1/4 cup organic unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Secure the jar lid and ring. Top with scrap fabric and use hemp twine to attach the directions for the gift recipient! Such a simple, but fun gift!
There are so many ways to incorporate healthy nuts into your cooking and baking. Be sure to connect with Chef Alex on Twitter and Fisher Nuts on Facebook for great tips and recipe ideas.
One Eighty MPH Mom reader will win a Cooking With Nuts Prize Pack!
THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
Open to US residents – Includes:
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
*Erin received the above products, free of charge, to facilitate this review. All opinions are those of the reviewer only. Review product and giveaway prize provided by Fisher Nuts.
225 Responses
I’d also love to try their Deluxe Mixed Nuts that come in a can.
Frosted Cranberries~!
Tropical Trail Mix
Whole Giant Cashews.
Would love to try the Cinnamon Pecans.
Praline Pecans
I’d like to try the Energy Trail Mix.
Mmmmm, macadamia nuts! http://www.fishernuts.com/macadamias/Dry-Roasted-Halves-And-Pieces
Milk Chocolate Almonds
royale mix
The Dry Roasted Macadamias.
Visit the Fisher Nuts website and tell me another product you’d love to try. http://www.fishernuts.com/trail-mix/Tropical-Trail-Mix
The Mocha & French Vanilla Almond mix sounds delicious!
would like to try dry roasted sunflower seeds
I’d love to try the Honey Roasted Cashews. Thanks!
I’d like to try the Cocoa Mocha Almonds!
Thanks!
Honey Cinnamon Almonds
I’d love to try the macadamia nuts …. mmmmm!
I would like to try the Delux Mixed Nuts for snacking
I’d like to try the dry roasted macadamia nuts.
I’d like to try their Sweet Nut Trail Mix.
the banana nut pancakes recipe looks incredible!
I’d like to try their Energy Trail Mix!
Love Pecans. My grandmother and I used to deshell pecans and make pecan pies from scratch. I miss those days before she passed. She also introduced me to Macadamia Nuts. Delicious!!!
I’d love to try the Premium Whole Cashews
Deluxe mixed nuts
Actually, I would love to try the Cranberry & toasted almond brie en croute recipe. It looks delicious!
walnut halves and pieces
I would like to try the Nut & Berry mix
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
cheesy cheddar mix!
I’d also like to try the Deluxe mixed nuts.
I love pecans… So thankful the pecan trees produced more this year… Hoping that will result in the prices to come down soon….
Honey Roasted Cashews
love the Whole Giant Cashews.
I would love to try their macadamia nuts!!!
Would love to try the Nut & Berry!! grammypenny@frontier.com
Sunflower kernels because I love sunflower seeds
pedidentalasst at yahoo dot com
I’d love to try the Cinnamon Pecans. Also, a recipe they have posted “Stuffed Mushrooms with Pecans”. Thank you for the chance to win!
The Praline Pecans looks good!
I would like to try the Pecan Chicken Tenders with Dill Mustard Dipping Sauce Recipe.
I’d like to try their creamy peanut butter
Premium Whole Cashews
I would love to try the Dry Roasted Sunflower Kernels
Macadamias yum!
I’d love to try the Dark Chocolate Almonds Peppermint Mix.
I’d love to try the Honey Roasted Cashews!
milk chocolate almond
I like the honey roasted cashews!
I love Fisher Nuts’ Premium Whole Cashews
The deluxe mix nuts
I would love to try the Black walnuts.
I like the Butter Toffee Peanuts.
I would also like to try their Mixed Nuts.
Definitely the macadamia nuts.
I’d like to try the Energy Trail Mix. Thanks for the great giveaway and happy holidays!
The Cocoa Mocha Almonds!
there trail mix
I would love to try the Cashew Halves and Pieces
I want to try the Brownies in a jar!!!
I’d love to try the Praline Pecans
the cheddar trail mix
would love the whole giant cashews
Vanilla Bean Almonds
I’d love the honey roasted cashews…Mmmmm
Cinnamon Pecans
I’d love the Honey Roasted Mixed Nuts
I want macadamia nuts
Summit Trail Mix!
The cheddar trail mix sounds great.
I didn’t see anything I don’t want to try. But definitely the macadamia nuts!
I would love to try the Cinnamon Pecans.
the Cinnamon Pecans.
I would like the Nut & Berry.
THe dry roasted macademia nuts would be good.
i’d love to try the energy trail mix
annae07 at aol dot com
I like their mixed nuts
Vanilla bean almonds? I’ve never heard of such a thing, but would love to give it a try!
I want to try their cashews.
i wanna try- Mixed Nuts with Peanuts
Macadamias — Had no idea Fisher had those.
I would love the slivered almonds
Honey Roasted Cashews sound good
I’d love to try these – Dry Roasted Macadamias.
Thank you!
deluxe mixed nuts!
sunflower seeds
The tropical mix was great tasting.
Mmm…Dry Roasted Macadamias!
Love to try them for just snacking!
I’d like to try the Energy Trail Mix!
wholegrain nuts, e.g. cashews.
love to try the energy trail mix
The tropical trail mix.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
The frosted cranberries 🙂
Pecan Halves
I love the Chopped Hazelnuts
Thank you for hosting this giveaway
Louis
pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com
The dark chocolate almonds peppermint mix looks perfect for the holidays!
I’d also like to try the Cashew Halves & Pieces.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
the mixed nuts
I would also love to try the macadamia nuts!
the frosted cranberries!
The macadamia nuts!
Energy Trail mix.
Thanks!
I’m just a nutty guy – give me any kind of nuts! How about Mocha and French Vanilla Almond Mix – sounds great!
Cocoa-Mocha-Almonds
I like the Dry Roasted Halves and Pieces (macadamia nuts)
Cocoa Mocha Almonds
Dry-roasted sunflower seeds — love ’em!
the sliced almonds -we used them on our salads
Honey Roasted Cashews
yum
I’d like to try their Milk Chocolate Almonds
i’d like to try the mixed nuts
I’d like to try the Sweet Nut Trail Mix.
I am going to try your Orange Cranberry loaf. It looks wonderful.
Milk Chocolate Almonds!!!
i’d love to try the Sweet Nut Trail Mix
Dry Roasted Sunflower Kernels sounds yummy to me.
tes 1283 yahoo
I’d like to the Mixed Nuts for snacking!
cinnamon pecans
I love their pecans they are really good and fresh.
I would like to try the cheddar trail mix
I think the Cinnamon Pecans look delicious. Thanks for hosting!
The frosted cranberries!
Sea Salt and Vinegar Peanuts
Deluxe Medley gift set
the Nut & Berry Mix
I love these http://www.fishernuts.com/macadamias/Dry-Roasted-Halves-And-Pieces.
the cashew halves
Dry Roasted Sunflower Kernels
Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<
Cinnamon Pecans sound delicious!
Energy Trail Mix
I love macadamia nuts
Cinnamon Pecans. Yum!
the Fisher Nuts website it down right now, gives an error mssg
but I buy Fisher chopped pecans for my baking needs
I’d also like to try their Summit trail mix with the chocolate candy.
Energy Trail Mix
I’d like to try the Cheddar Trail Mix.
I would like to try the frosted cranberries
Cashews
the Energy Trail Mix
Cinnamon Pecans
I would love to try their sunflower seeds.
I’d love to try the cheddar mix!!
I want to try sunflower seeds
I’d like to try the Whole Cashews.
I’d love to give the Fisher Pecans a try
I’d like to bake something with Chopped Hazelnuts.
Yummy! happy holidays, gahome2mom/gmail….
I would like the royal mix nuts.
Macadamia nuts!
Cinnamon Pecans
Whole Premium Cashews. Yum!
cinnamon pecans YUM
cinnamon pecans
I’d like the Honey Roasted Cashews.
I would like to try the Macadamias 🙂
The nut and berry mix sounds good.
I want to try the Cheesy Cheddar mix
Premium Whole Cashews!
Pine Nuts!
I’d like to try their almonds in my wedding cookies.
dry roasted sunflower kernals
I would like to try the Summit Trail Mix
I would love to try tropical trail mix.
we love the snack packs
mixed nuts
Whole Giant Cashews
I like the Dry Roasted Sunflower Kernels
Vanilla Bean Almonds, yum
cashews
vmkids3 at msn dot com
I ALWAYS go for the cashews. Love that this site features Alex G. She is one of my favorite chefs. I watch Food Network a lot and am really rooting for her to be the next Iron Chef!!
Macadamia nuts are great!
Vanilla Bean Almonds sound heavenly! 🙂
I would love to try the Honey Cinnamon Almonds
I would love to try the Praline Pecans!
The Deluxe Mixed Nuts sounds like a great combination of favorites
The Praline Pecans!
dark chocolate rum pecans sound yummy
Macadamia nuts or a trail mix.
Cinnamon Pecans is what I’d like to try.
id like to try the deluxe mix
id love to try the Deluxe Medley
would love to try Cashew Halves and Pieces
energy trail mix sounds good
I also enjoy the Honey Roasted Cashews snacking nuts.
I’d like to try their Premium Whole Cashews.
want to try the Summit Trail Mix
ardy22 at earthlink dot net
I love pecans.
I’d like to try the energy trail mix.
I’d like to try the Dry Roasted Sunflower Kernels.
giant cashews
Snacking mixed nuts
The Whole Giant Cashews would be my product of choice!
I would like to try the Energy Trail Mix.
For cooking, I like their pine nuts. For eating, sunflower seeds.
i would like to try their mixed nuts
definitely pitachio
Frosted Cranberries
Honey Cinnamon Almonds
I would like to try their mixed nuts
Chopped Hazelnuts
Pine nuts.
I’d like to have some Honey Roasted Cashews.
The Mixed Nuts would be great for snacking.
Whole Giant Cashews!!! Yum!!!
Under the Snacking nuts heading is a trail mix called Cheedar trail mix. Nummy.
I’d like to try the Cinnamon Pecans
I’d love to try the Cheddar Trail Mix!
I would also like to try the Cheddar Trail Mi
The Honey Roasted Mixed Nuts would be great for the holidays.
I would like to try the Dry Roasted Halves and Pieces Macadamia Nuts.
Cheesy Cheddar Mix is another product I’d love to try.
Unsalted Sunflower Seeds for cooking
cinnamon pecans!
jagar0047 at yahoo dot com
i want to try the mixed nuts
I’d try the Chocolate Deluxe Mixed Nuts.
Praline Pecans
their chocolate covered almonds.. i had some at costco today..
Honey Roasted Mixed Nuts
milk chocolate almonds
I would like to try their Honey Roasted Cashews
the milk chocolate almonds
cinnamin pecans sound good
I’d love to try the Dry Roasted Sunflower Kernels.
Honey Cinnamon Almonds yum!
Dried Sweetened Cranberries
I would also love to try the Dark Chocolate Rum Pecans.
longbarb1@aol.com