Want to add nuts to a dish or treat? Here are three ways to use these little fruits. (Yes, fruits.)
Many underestimate the power of the tree nut in their diet. Nuts are antioxidants and have been linked to lower cholesterol, weight control, and better heart health. They’re filling, because of the unsaturated fats, and have many vitamins and minerals — especially walnuts, the highest in omega-3 fatty acids. You can’t beat the crunch of nuts in a delicious dessert, either.
Pecan Chicken
Makes 4 servings
Contributed by Jessica Weaver – “I made this for my then-boyfriend, and one week later he proposed! We always enjoy this simple but delicious dish — even 14 years later.”
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken cutlets
3 Tablespoons stoneground mustard, divided
3 egg whites
1 cup bread crumbs
½ cup chopped pecans
½ cup heavy cream
Olive oil
Directions
Heat a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Mix 2 Tablespoons mustard and egg whites together in one dish. In another dish, mix bread crumbs and pecan pieces. Dip the chicken in the egg white mixture, then into the bread crumbs. Cook chicken in the heated oil for about 5 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Reduce the heat if the coating gets too brown or starts to burn.
Remove chicken from the pan, leaving drippings. Whist the heavy cream and 1 Tablespoon mustard into the pan drippings. Heat until it begins to bubble, and serve over the chicken.
Kitchen Tips
If meat is browning too quickly or starting to burn, just brown on both sides, then finish cooking in a 350 degree oven.
Chicken Genovese
Makes 4-6 servings
Contributed by Katie Parks – “Years ago, I went to a restaurant where I had a pasta dish I loved. So, I took the flavors I remembered in that dish and created a recipe of my own to be enjoyed at home. It has since become one of my family’s favorite meals.”
Ingredients
Pesto Sauce
6 Tablespoons olive oil
½ cup toasted walnuts
²⁄³ cup fresh, shredded Parmesan cheese
¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
1 cup fresh basil leaves
2 garlic cloves, crushed
salt and pepper to taste
Grilled Chicken and Pasta
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 pound penne pasta
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), drained
grated Parmesan cheese, to taste and garnish
Directions
Pesto Sauce: Put all of the ingredients into blender or food processor and blend until smooth; set aside.
Grilled Chicken and Pasta: Place chicken on the grill. While chicken is cooking, boil pasta according to package directions. Once cooked, slice the chicken and sun-dried tomatoes. Place pesto sauce in a large mixing bowl along with tomatoes, chicken, and cheese. Pour drained, hot pasta into bowl and toss together. The hot pasta will heat the pesto sauce. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese.
Kitchen Tips
The easiest way to toast nuts is to heat a dry, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add nuts and stir occasionally, 6-8 minutes, until the nuts begin to smell nutty. They’re far less likely to burn with this method than toasting in the oven.
Blueberry Jell-O® Salad
Makes 6-8 servings
Contributed by Marge Killmon – “Kids like to help with stirring. Excellent for potlucks, and a pretty color!”
Ingredients
2 (3-ounce) packages grape gelatin
2 cups boiling water
21 ounces blueberry pie filling
20 ounces canned, crushed pineapple, undrained
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
16 ounces sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
whole blueberries for topping
Directions
Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Let stand in refrigerator until syrupy, about 15 minutes. Add pie filling and pineapple. Pour into casserole dish and refrigerate until gelatin mix is set. When set, mix together cream cheese, sour cream, vanilla, and nuts. Spread on top of gelatin mixture. Garnish with whole blueberries. Slice into squares to serve.
Kitchen Tip
The cream cheese needs to be very soft for this recipe. Let sit at room temperature for several hours before mixing with the other ingredients.
Pantry List:
Chicken Genovese
garlic, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, pasta, pepper, salt
Pecan Chicken
bread crumbs, eggs, olive oil
Blueberry Jell-O Salad
vanilla
Shopping List:
Chicken Genovese
basil, chicken breasts, parsley, sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts
Pecan Chicken
chicken cutlets, heavy cream, pecans, stoneground mustard
Blueberry Jell-O Salad
crushed pineapple, blueberry pie filling, cream cheese, grape gelatin, pecans or walnuts, sour cream, blueberries
This article originally appeared in HomeLife Magazine. HomeLife is looking for family-friendly, budget-conscious, original recipes from readers like you. Simply email us your recipe, name and contact info to homelife@lifeway.com. We will pay $25 for each recipe that is printed. We regret that mailed submissions cannot be accepted. Recipes become the property of HomeLife and may be edited prior to publication. Share your recipe with HomeLife!
