“What kitchen item or ingredient can I not live without ?”
My favorite pick today is Walnuts.
I once read that Walnuts are brain food, the symbol of intellectuality mostly because they closely resemble the brain.
Walnuts are loaded with minerals, vitamins, and Omega 3
I was sold at brain food.
I found that the most bang for my buck was to buy the California Walnuts at Costco. They come in a large bag and I store them in an airtight glass jar from Ikea. This makes it handy when I want to grab a quick handful to chop.
Hoping to increase my brain power, I started looking for places to incorporate my 2 lbs of walnuts.
At first I just put them in brownies, then I moved on to my morning yogurt, my cereal, hot oatmeal, banana bread, muffins, cookies, butter tarts, salads, stuffing and fillings for chicken and pork tenderloin and the best of all, toast them in the frying pan with some butter, add brown sugar and add them to homemade Ice Cream once cooled to make Maple Walnut Ice Cream.
Still having another lb left, I started rolling my cheese ball in Walnuts and dried cranberries.
I’m so used to using them now that when I run out I’m at a loss. They really give everything that extra boast that makes you look like you went to so much trouble (especially if you throw them in a salad)
My favorite salad
Spinach or mixed greens, strawberries, walnuts, goat cheese & poppy seed dressing
They say the best way to buy walnuts is from the shell and crack them open yourself to ensure freshness, but that’s not always convenient.
There are over 30 varieties of walnut trees but just 3 that are grown commercially, so next time you are travelling, try some local walnuts if they’re available as it may be your only chance to get some variety!
50yroldkid 