Review: California Walnuts

Until recently, I have always stored all of my nuts in my pantry. Shame on me, because I also buy them in bulk from Sam’s Club which means they sit there at room temperature for a long time. Thankfully I have never noticed them becoming rancid, but now I know better and store them all in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.

I was contacted by California Walnuts via Twitter, asking if I would like some of their walnuts to review. Shortly after I received my very own bag! Good thing I discovered that storage tip before getting my hands on these walnuts. I would have hated for them to go bad! The California Walnuts were very fresh upon their arrival and I actually ate some raw.

My first thoughts regarding these walnuts lead me to crave candied walnuts. While searching for any candied nut recipes I had bookmarked, I stumbled upon a cinnamon candied version which also included a cookie recipe – score!

The recipe made more walnuts than what was needed for the cookies, and as a result have enjoyed snacking on these cinnamon candied walnuts all by themselves. I also have been sneaking them into my morning oatmeal or yogurt. But I love them the most incorporated into the Cinnamon Candied Walnut Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

I also decided to make walnuts the protein contributor to an entree complete with home made gnocchi. Upon the first bite of the Goat Cheese Ricotta Gnocchi with Walnut Thyme Butter Sauce, I melted. I should’ve doubled this recipe it was so good!

For more walnut recipes, check out California Walnuts Chef Menus at Home page on Facebook.

What would you make if you had a bag of California Walnuts?

Disclosure: I received a sample of California Walnuts to review. I was not compensated for this post. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

One year ago: Sourdough Starter