When you start craving lighter, fresher recipes that will put a spring in your step, there’s no better way to satisfy your palate than by welcoming new ingredients to your plate.
You might not think of pairing carrots with California walnuts, but the bright, natural flavors of these two tasty foods work well together. That’s because walnuts do a great job at balancing the sweetness of carrots.
Both versatile and crunchy, these foods provide a simple, wholesome way to boost the wow factor of any dish. So if you’re ready for a fresh bite, try one of these simple recipes the whole family can enjoy.
Morning Motivation
A carrot cake-inspired smoothie for breakfast can be great motivation to not hit the snooze button. Start your day off right with this yummy breakfast option that’s packed with nutrients like California walnuts, carrots, bananas, and other flavorful ingredients. This Carrot Cake Smoothie takes only 15 minutes to prepare for a quick morning meal. Plus, it’s like having cake for breakfast—without the guilt!
Indulge in Lunchtime
Breakout the spiralizer to make mealtime magic with a refreshing, unique salad recipe. Slightly exotic and majorly satisfying, this Moroccan Carrot Noodle Salad is full of textures and flavors that’ll excite your taste buds. The spiralized carrots act as the “noodles” and are tossed with chickpeas, raisins, feta cheese, spices, olive oil, lemon juice, and California walnuts. Eat it as-is for a meatless meal, or kick it up a notch by adding shrimp or chicken to the bowl. This creative use of carrots and walnuts takes only 15 minutes to prepare and is as fun to assemble as it is to eat!
A Tangy Side Dish
Coming up with side dish ideas the whole family will love can be dinner’s biggest challenge, but Pomegranate Glazed Carrots with California Walnuts are a simple solution. Roasted and glazed to perfection with pomegranate juice and honey, the carrot mixture adds a hint of sweetness to savory main dishes. Enhance the carrot’s flavor with dried cranberries, spices, olive oil, and add walnuts for a satisfying crunch. You can also serve over pasta or add a protein of choice for a great one-bowl meal. Whether it’s everyday dinner, or a special occasion, this will bring a little pizzazz to your plate!
A Versatile and Flavorful Dessert
Springtime wouldn’t be complete without carrot cake! But before you turn to a classic recipe, consider a new spin on this decadent dessert. This Carrot Walnut Loaf can be enjoyed any time of day, from breakfast all the way to dessert. Or try a more convenient, on-the-go option by making Walnut Carrot Cake Cookies or these timeless Carrot Walnut Cupcakes. All of these treats can be topped off with cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of chopped California walnuts for the ideal mix of sweetness and texture.
