Charcuterie Board
The perfect start! The Charcuterie Board is a beautiful display of cured meats but can also include cheeses, fruit, olives, nuts, spreads — whatever fits your occasion and guests. The important thing is to make it your own. So choose a board, platter or tray you love as the foundation.
Next, select your ingredients. It can be a breakfast or brunch board, or a dessert board, including savory, sweet, plant-based or vegan items. Mix variety, texture and color to appeal to the visual palate as well as the taste buds. Add raw or toasted walnuts for extra flavor and crunch. Make them savory, Rosemary and Sea Salt Walnuts, or sweet, Maple Candied Walnuts. Both recipes are fast and easy to make! With the versatility and complementary notes of California walnuts, any board you create is sure to enhance your holiday planning.
More Appetizer Ideas
This divine recipe for Crostini with Walnut Parmesan Cream is like the usual toasted baguette slices, but topped with pesto, Parmesan, nutty walnut cream, zesty sun-dried tomatoes and even more crunchy walnuts.
These Bacon-Wrapped Walnut-Stuffed Dates will go fast. Because everything is better with bacon, right? Try it wrapped around nature’s candy, Medjool dates. Bacon and intense sweetness, along with the crunch of the walnuts make a fabulous combo.
Cocktails
A great holiday party begins with a delicious cocktail. Try these to wow your guests: California Walnut and Salted Caramel Martini is unique and creamy and packs a sweet and salty punch. The Walnut Boulevardier is simply elegant, with just three ingredients and an effortless garnish.
The Main Event
Everything builds to your crescendo. Walnuts go with everything, so you have freedom to explore any type of recipe you want. Here are three elegant, scrumptious, easy-to-assemble dishes perfect for the main event!
- Salad: Walnut Balsamic Spinach Salad is a classic spinach salad but dressed up in radiant colors with candied California walnuts, blue cheese, prosciutto, ripe pears and pomegranate arils.
- Soup: White Bean, Cauliflower and Walnut Soup is rich and unctuous, made with roasted cauliflower and cannellini beans alongside a medley of fresh herbs.
- Main dish: Pappardelle with California Walnut Pesto is bright and festive. In this classic Italian dish, walnuts add flavor and texture to crushed herbs and warm pasta.
Plant-Forward Options
It may be the year to use Your Scrumptious Plant-Forward Christmas and Hanukkah Menu Guide. Many are embracing this way of eating, and it helps you account for a wide variety of nutrition needs in your holiday planning.
Make Dessert Extra Special
It’s all in the name for this dessert: Walnut Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake! This cake is unbelievably chocolatey but also infused with peppermint. The glistening drizzle of rich chocolate peppermint glaze has a mirror-like sheen. Top it with crunchy walnuts and crushed peppermint candies for the finishing touch. For something quick, easy, and delicious, try this recipe for Sweet and Salty Chocolate Walnut Bark.
If you would like to try pies for dessert instead, try a classic Apple Pie or a Pumpkin Cream Cheese Tart. See our Pie Recipe Roundup for Fall and Holiday Menus for more!
More Activities and Tips for Holiday Planning
Keep the kids entertained while they’re home for the holidays. Be sure to check out our Holiday Cookie Recipe Roundup for a fun assortment of holiday cookie recipes for treats and gifts.
Once the night is winding down, watch a few holiday movies with the family. Popcorn Walnut Delight is a wholesome snack for everyone. Before bedtime, take a walk around the neighborhood and enjoy the holiday lights on display. Bundle up and bring mugs of hot chocolate or Salted Honey and Walnut Milk Latte to sweeten the experience.
Make this holiday the best ever. Plan ahead so you can be sure to enjoy yourself as much as all your family and friends will after you’ve done your best holiday planning. Let California walnuts be your inspiration this year for culinary delights and family time together.
