Culinary Inspiration

One thing we’ve learned in the past year is that simple is always better. Whether you’re finishing up a long day of work or trying to wrangle the kids while preparing dinner, sometimes an elaborate meal is the last thing you need on your to-do list. Luckily, with the help of California walnuts and the latest trending kitchen gadgets, dinners and lunches can be thrown together simply, taking an ordinary meal and making it extraordinary. It will seem like you spent hours in the kitchen.

An Air Fryer to Achieve the Absolute Crisp

Air fryers may just be one of the most coveted kitchen gadgets due to their diverse applications and range of meals you can provide. This Air Fryer Crispy Gyoza recipe will help shake up your dinner menu by taking a beloved favorite and turning it into something you can easily prepare at home. These plant-based dumplings feature the mouthwatering flavors of ginger and garlic. It’s even a fun meal for the whole family to make together!

Once you’ve enjoyed a tasty dinner, whip up these Apple Walnut Hand Pies in your air fryer for an individually prepared take on a classic dessert. This treat is made even simpler to prepare by using a refrigerated pie dough, and it makes use of pantry staple items like dried cranberries and brown sugar. There’s really no better dessert than this crunchy, tart and sweet filling wrapped between flaky, buttery dough.

Impress With Your Panini Press

Sandwiches are always a great meal option, but when you hold those pieces of bread between the hot grill surfaces of your panini press, you transform your sandwich into a hot, melty, comforting panini. This Walnut Apple Panini is full of crunchy walnuts and tart apples to tantalize all taste buds. Pair it with a side soup or salad for a full meal, or whip up one of these as a satisfying snack. Either way, this decadent and diverse flavor combination is sure to impress.

Put your panini press to use in a new way by using it to whip up a Walnut Pear Quesadilla. This creative technique will leave you with a crispy outer tortilla that complements the sweet pears, earthy walnuts and melty cheese on the inside. There’s no better combination of flavors to brighten your day, and it’s so quick you’ll be eating in a snap.

Set It and Forget It With Your Slow Cooker

For the ultimate meal prep, break out your slow cooker! This gadget will add an abundance of ease to your day and take stress off your plate come dinnertime. Prep the ingredients, set the slow cooker and have a sizzling meal waiting for you at the end of your day. Mini Mexican Slow Cooker Meatloaves can cook for an hour and a half on high or three hours on low, leaving you free to go about your day. These individual meatloaves are seasoned with salsa, onion, chiles and more.

For a meal you can let simmer all day, soup is always a reliable go-to. This Slow Cooker Chicken Tortellini Soup is accompanied by a walnut pesto that you can prepare in that handy blender. With chicken and tortellini, this dish creates a complete meal. Serve up a steaming bowl and enjoy being warmed from the inside out in the winter.

Instant Pot for the Busiest Nights

With an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, even the most time-consuming dinners can be simplified. For your next plant-forward dinner, try out a Creamy Walnut Stroganoff. This meatless variation on a classic comes together for a hearty meal that keeps perfectly for later in the week. By using your Instant Pot, you simply compile the ingredients and let the gadget do the work for you. The final result is a creamy, tasty plant-based pasta dish.

Make this Cilantro Walnut Chicken, a tender, flavorful meal in just about an hour. The cilantro walnut sauce gives the dish a colorful dressing accented with zesty lemon juice, spicy jalapeño and garlic that mingle with the walnuts for a creamy, plant-based sauce. This one will be added to your dinner rotation for both its ease and appetite appeal.

Make Sauces, Smoothies and More in Your Blender

Blenders and food processors are some of the most reliable kitchen gadgets, and you can find one in almost every kitchen. While we typically think of a cool and refreshing smoothie recipe when faced with our blenders, there’s a number of possibilities to take advantage of with this tool. With just a few ingredients, you can add some heat to your dish with a dressing of Walnut Romesco Sauce. For a decadent appetizer that is easily prepared, assemble these Crostini with Walnut Parmesan Cream. The cream is light, fluffy and flavorful!

Walnut butters are another snack hack to put your blender to the test. This Crunchy Coconut Walnut Butter is a sweet and nutty addition to top toasts, yogurts, oatmeal and more. If your sweet tooth is calling, make this Mexican Chocolate Walnut Butter for a dessert-like topping that contains the nutritional value of walnuts.

No matter which kitchen gadget you find in your cabinets, California walnuts can help you prepare appetizing meals and snacks that bring simplicity and flavor to your home.

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