Citrus Banana Walnut Spread Recipes

BANANA WALNUT BREAD

Steps:

• Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl, set aside. Whisk the eggs and vanilla together in a liquid measuring cup with a spout, set aside. Lightly brush a 9 by 5 by 3-inch loaf pan with butter. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or with an electric hand-held mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually pour the egg mixture into the butter while mixing until incorporated. Add the bananas (the mixture will appear to be curdled, so don't worry), and remove the bowl from the mixer.
• With a rubber spatula, mix in the flour mixture until just incorporated. Fold in the nuts and transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. Cool the bread in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Turn the bread out of the pan and let cool completely on the rack. Wrap in plastic wrap. The banana bread is best if served the next day.

CITRUS WALNUT SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread walnuts on a baking sheet.
• Toast walnuts in the preheated oven until golden brown and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
• Slice top and bottom off 1 orange and set on a flat work surface. Cut downwards from the top, following the curve of the fruit, to remove all of the skin and pith. Repeat with remaining orange and grapefruit.
• Holding 1 orange over a bowl to catch juice, cut both sides of each segment away from the connective membrane and transfer to a separate bowl. Squeeze extra juice from the membranes into the bowl. Repeat with remaining orange and grapefruit.
• Mix toasted walnuts, salad greens, and feta cheese into the bowl of orange and grapefruit segments.
• Pour orange and grapefruit juice into a glass measuring cup. Add enough pomegranate juice to reach 1/3 cup. Whisk in 1 teaspoon orange zest, sugar, parsley, and salt. Whisk in oil until dressing is thick.
• Drizzle dressing over salad.

HERBED WALNUT AND CITRUS TAPENADE

Steps:

• In food processor or blender, place all Tapenade ingredients except walnuts. Cover; process, using quick on-and-off motions, until slightly coarse. Stir in walnuts. Cover; refrigerate 1 hour to blend flavors.
• If desired, soften goat cheese on microwavable plate in microwave uncovered on High about 10 seconds. Spread goat cheese into 1/4-inch layer on serving plate. Top with tapenade; drizzle with additional olive oil. Garnish with rosemary and thyme sprigs. Serve with chips.

CITRUS GLAZED BANANA SQUASH

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add squash cubes and water. Cover, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until squash is tender. Stir occasionally, and add more water if necessary to prevent squash from sticking to the pan.
• Reduce heat to low, and stir in the orange juice, apricot preserves, cloves, salt and pepper. Cook and stir uncovered until squash is evenly glazed.

WALNUT-GARLIC SPREAD

Steps:

• Place peppers over a gas flame or on a tray under the broiler. Keep turning so the skin is evenly charred, without burning and drying out the flesh. Transfer charred peppers to a plastic bag, tie the top closed and let steam until cool to the touch, about 15 minutes. Peel off the charred skin by hand. Cut away stems, seeds and veins, and roughly chop.
• Place chopped peppers in a blender or food processor, add a few drops of water, and process to a paste. Transfer to a bowl and reserve.
• In the same blender, drop in the walnuts and garlic with the motor running and process for 30 seconds. Add the bread crumbs and process another 30 seconds. Return the peppers to the blender, along with the olive oil, pomegranate syrup, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and salt, and process until smooth. Adjust seasonings, and transfer to a bowl.
• To serve, drizzle a little pomegranate syrup over the top.

MEDITERRANEAN WALNUT SPREAD

Steps:

• Drain garbanzo beans, reserving the liquid. In a blender or food processor bowl combine beans and 2 tablespoons of the reserved liquid, the walnuts, basil leaves, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Cover and blend until nearly smooth (scrap down sides and add additional reserved liquid if mixture appears stiff).
• Serve on toasted baguette slices or pita slices. Store, covered, in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Makes about 20 (1 tablespoon) servings.

CHOCO-NUT BANANA SPREAD

Steps:

• Mash the banana in a small bowl. Spoon the peanut butter and chips on top of it, microwave for 45 seconds. Stir until well blended. Serve hot, as a dip for fruit, or chilled, as a spread for sandwiches or wraps or crackers. Keeps for up to a week, covered, in the fridge.
• Variations: Try other nut butters (soy, cashew, almond etc.) or other flavours of chips (butterscotch, vanilla etc.) to vary the recipe.