Appetizer: Deviled Eggs to Die For
No Easter meal would be complete without the eggs, and this crunchy take on a holiday classic is the best way to start your meal. The smooth and creamy texture of these Deviled Eggs with Cajun-Spiced Walnut “Crumb” Topping (with hard-boiled eggs from your earlier Easter egg hunt, of course) is balanced with a surprising texture from the walnuts.
As you blend the flavorful walnut “crumb” topping, full of garlic powder, thyme and paprika, turn your plain eggs into a delectable and spicy appetizer with loads of flavor and crunch.
Salad: Wrap It Up
Take a break from the traditional salad with these California Walnut Larb Lettuce Wraps made with chickpeas. The blended chickpeas and walnuts offer a robust plant-forward texture that easily replaces the normal fish or chicken filling. Aromatics like ginger, garlic, mint and cilantro combine with the zesty punch of lime for an explosion of taste that you and your family won’t soon forget.
Side Dish: Fill the Sides with Spring Vegetables
This Broccolini Walnut Au Gratin is rich and delicious. With its bright green color, the dish looks almost too good to eat, so before you devour it, take a moment to admire its elegance. The buttery sauce covers the steamed broccolini, roasted California walnuts and croutons, and the velvety cheese topping offers a sophisticated final touch. It will perfectly complement your main course meal.
Main Dish: Creamy Plant-Forward Pasta
With spring well underway and summer on the horizon, you can finally find fresh asparagus in stores again. With a spaghetti base, Creamy Asparagus, Lemon, and Walnut Pasta is the ideal plant-forward Easter main course.
The chopped California walnuts add unique crunch to traditional pasta without overwhelming the dish, and the zest of lemon lends the taste of spring to this amazing dish. As a bonus, this is super easy to make so you won’t have to spend your whole day cooking when you’d rather be spending time with family. You can even prepare it in advance.
Dessert: A Decadent Dessert Table
Easter wouldn’t be complete without carrot cake recipes, and these Carrot Walnut Cupcakes with Lemon Buttercream Frosting will satisfy your sweet tooth once your meal has settled. The combination of fresh pineapple, earthy carrots and nutty California walnuts is in perfect harmony. Notes of cinnamon and nutmeg along with the tangy lemon frosting create a dessert that’s sure to be a family favorite for years to come.
If you’re feeling bold and want to impress your loved ones, try your hand at these delightful springtime Walnut Macarons with Limoncello Buttercream. Like most macaron recipes, it’s important to get the process down, so you may want to try the recipe before Easter arrives (we won’t tell anyone if you want to do a little extra taste-testing). The walnuts provide a fluffy texture and a subtle nutty undertone in this sweet treat. Color them in a variety of light pastels for desserts full of the Easter spirit.
Plant-forward eating is easy this holiday with the right recipes made from California walnuts. This little nut’s versatility makes it a go-to substitute for everything from milk to meat, and it’s a flavorful addition to bring any dish to that next level. Explore new recipes that focus on plant-forward eating and highlight walnuts to make this Easter extra special and extra delicious.
