The new work-from-home normal coupled with the start of the school year has thrown many schedules into a virtual frenzy, quite literally. With little ones at home and extra time basically nonexistent, creativity at mealtime tends to suffer.
Fortunately, that doesn’t mean that you can’t incorporate some easy pantry staples into your shopping list to ensure you always have a good meal on the table. These go-to items pair well with California walnuts to create simple and nutritious dishes. In fact, per ounce, walnuts have 4 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, and are an excellent source of omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) at 2.5 grams per ounce.
And remember – keep your walnuts stored in the fridge or freezer to maintain freshness! Get creative with your pasta recipes, try out a new tuna casserole or whip up some delicious plant-based tacos. There are endless opportunities to use the items you’ve already got crowding your cabinets.
Pasta Night Gets an Upgrade
Tour the tastes of Italy with nothing more than a few pantry staples and a creative culinary mind. Breathe new life into dinner with a simple recipe that combines the ingredients you have on hand. The best part about these pasta recipes: sub in whatever noodles you have to make the most of those ingredients.
Spaghetti lovers out there will go wild over this crave-worthy Pasta Puttanesca with Mixed Olives and Walnuts. No meat is required for this insanely delicious recipe, and it couldn’t be simpler! It uses a number of key ingredients such as pasta and olives that you probably forgot you had in the house.
When you’re ready for a burst of earthy goodness, serve up some Lemon Basil Pasta with Toasted Walnuts. This hearty dish is still a light and bright midweek option when you want to serve something great but don’t have much time on your hands. This recipe combines tender cooked (or canned) chicken with zesty lemon, aromatic herbs, rich Parmesan cheese and pasta to create a new dinner favorite. Dinner can be delicious and fun with the right ingredients!
Tuna Salad Two Ways
Did you stock up on canned goods like tuna in the beginning of stay-at-home orders? (Don’t worry, we all did it.) Put quick and easy back into snack time by making personalized Green Goddess Tuna Walnut Salad Pinwheels. As it’s accented with walnuts and green apples and flavored with a green goddess dressing that’s chock-full of herbs, you can feel good about serving this fun and nutritious snack. Throw it together for a snack or a light lunch in less than 30 minutes.
Walnuts aren’t just for garnishing your meals. They’re so versatile and can be mixed into a number of dishes. To get dinner on the table for the whole family, try out a Tuna Casserole with Crunchy Walnut Crust. Make this classic and cozy dish that’s a long-standing go-to, but give it a textured twist with that walnut crust.
Creativity with Legumes and Walnuts
Walnuts combine with a variety of beans to form plant-based dishes, and they can come together in just a few simple steps. Did you know you can make everyone’s favorite – tacos – plant-based with walnuts and just a few ingredients from your pantry? These Walnut “Chorizo” Tacos with Pickled Vegetables are a creative option to try out on your next Meatless Monday or Taco Tuesday when you’re working with the items in your pantry.
By chopping your walnuts and combining them with chickpeas, you can create Chickpea & Walnut Salad Sandwiches for the entire family, using just a few cans from the pantry. Include flavorful additions like celery, dried cranberries and onion to customize them to your preference.
Each of these recipes requires only a few pantry essentials. Save time and bring the family together over bright, indulgent flavors as you simplify mealtime and work with what you have on hand. These recipes are completely versatile, offering a range of options that are easily personalized to suit your family’s tastes. Delicious food can be simple and nutritious with some pantry staples, a little creativity and, of course, some tasty California walnuts.
