photo courtesy The Kitchn
http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-frozen-singleserve-oatmeal-recipes-from-the-kitchn-193961#recipe
Going Nuts with the Winter/Cold/Snow weather? As you know, I use many diversional techniques to keep me focused on things other than the long, lingering cold, dark and dastardly days while I am awaiting the signs of Spring. Aside from roasting, braising, making great one pot dinners such as Coq-au-Vin and Beef Bourguignon, and indulging in the great citrus varieties in the market, I like to seek out other recipes that satisfy and soothe. Today, it’s the Jewels of Winter – Seeds, Nuts and Dried Fruits.
This morning I came upon this image online on The Kitchn. This sent me off into an instant string of topping options for baked goods. This is actually a topping for oatmeal, which is a great idea as well. But, because I think this is beautiful and very inviting, I was thinking it’s perfect for muffins, tarts, pies, roasted vegetables and salads, too ………..
While this is a very simple mix of dried cherries, almonds and pumpkin seeds, it is a great inspiration for using nuts, seeds and dried fruits in this season when the selection of fresh fruits is, well, not at optimum.
Take a walk down the nuts and seeds aisle in your local grocery store. There is a lot to be inspired by. Same with dried fruits. Creativity abounds in arranging different melanges which are healthy and tasty and alluring additions to your efforts in the kitchen in the dead of Winter. There’s plenty of texture, crunch and color here! Or, scroll through these recipes and find one or more to try. This will keep you busy for awhile and if you take my dinner recommendation at the end of my post, you’ll have had a productive and delicious day! Not bad for January 28!
Raw Fruit Tart with Cashew Cream and Seasonal Fruit:
photo courtesy the consciousdietitian.com
You don’t have to use Strawberries here – use a citrus or a dried fruit
http://www.theconsciousdietitian.com/all-recipes/raw-fruit-tart-with-cashew-cream-and-seasonal-fruit/
Rustic Dried Fruit Tart:
photo courtesy Cookstr.com
http://www.cookstr.com/recipes/rustic-dried-fruit-tart
Raw Coconut-Lime Tart:
photo courtesy thesweetlifeonline.com
http://www.thesweetlifeonline.com/2013/03/21/raw-coconut-lime-tart/
Five Nut Caramel Tart:
photo courtesy splendidtable.org
http://www.splendidtable.org/recipes/five-nut-caramel-tart
Banana Macadamia Nut Muffins:
photo courtesy browneyedbaker.com
http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2013/04/08/banana-macadamia-nut-muffins/
Pumpkin Pie with Pepita Nut and Ginger Topping:
photo courtes bon appétit
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/pumpkin-pie-with-pepita-nut-and-ginger-topping
Cranberry Nut Tarts:
photo courtesy joyofbaking.com
http://www.joyofbaking.com/CranberryNutTarts.html
Chocolate Macadamia Nut Tart:
photo courtesy marthastewart.com
http://www.marthastewart.com/357181/chocolate-macadamia-nut-tart
Cranberry Pecan Frangipane Tart:
photo courtesy smittenkitchen.com
while this recipe calls for fresh cranberries, it has lovely, favorite pecans! Is it any wonder that Deb Perelman is so successful? http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2008/11/cranberry-pecan-frangipane-tart/
Dried Cherry Macadamia and White Chocolate Chip Cookies: http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/dried-cherry-macadamia-and-white-chocolate-chip-cookies.html (sorry no photo)
Dried Fruit and Almond Tart: http://www.nytimes.com/recipes/1238/dried-fruit-and-almond-tart.html(sorry no photo)
Kahlua Pecan Brown Sugar Baked Brie:
photo courtesy noblepig.com
http://noblepig.com/2009/12/kahluapecanbrown-sugar-baked-brie/
Pecan Pie without Corn Syrup:
http://deliciouslyorganic.net/pecan-pie-without-corn-syrup-grain-free-paleo/
photo courtesy deliciouslyorganic.net
Butter Saffron Cake with Almonds:
photo courtesy saveur.com
http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Butter-Saffron-Cake?src=SOC&dom=fb
a Salad: Fruit Nut and Goat Cheese Salad with Pomegranate Vinagrette:
photo courtesy katherinemartinelli.com
Fruit and Nut Brittle:
http://honestcooking.com/fruit-and-nut-brittle/
and, take your favorite roasted vegetable recipe and top it with a melange of nuts, seeds and dried fruits – top with a few dollops of goat cheese or your favorite!
Enjoy your day today. If it’s too cold to go outside for anything else than a quick trip to the grocery store, you can find so much to make. I’d start out with a steaming pot full of Lidia’s Italian Wedding Soup, a great loaf of crusty bread and any one or more of the treats above!
http://www.lidiasitaly.com/recipes/detail/967
You’ll be happy and satisfied!
Dedicated to Pete Seeger and all of his wonderful songs, my favorite being “Where have all the flowers gone” Of course, my interpretation of this song is not exactly what he intended. But it is so poignant to me! Pete Seeger 1920-2014 (photo courtesy my back yard 2013)