Spinach-Apple Salad With Maple-Cider Vinaigrette

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Spinach-Apple Salad With Maple-Cider Vinaigrette
This deluxe version of spinach salad features a tangy sweet maple syrup vinaigrette, sliced apple, onion and and goat cheese and is topped with sweet curried pecans.

Ingredients

Sugared Curried Pecans

  • 1 (6-oz.) package pecan halves
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

Maple-Cider Vinaigrette

  • 1/3 cup cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2/3 cup olive oil

Salad

  • 1 (10-oz.) package fresh baby spinach, thoroughly washed
  • 1 Gala apple, thinly sliced
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 (4-oz.) package crumbled goat cheese

Preparation

1. Prepare Pecans: Preheat oven to 350°. Toss pecans in butter. Stir together sugar and next 4 ingredients in a bowl; add pecans, tossing to coat. Spread in a single layer in a nonstick aluminum foil-lined pan. Bake 10 to 13 minutes or until lightly browned and toasted. Cool in pan on a wire rack 20 minutes; separate pecans with a fork.

2. Prepare Vinaigrette: Whisk together cider vinegar and next 4 ingredients. Gradually whisk in oil until well blended.

3. Prepare Salad: Combine spinach and next 3 ingredients in a bowl. Drizzle with desired amount of Maple-Cider Vinaigrette; toss to coat. Sprinkle with pecans. Serve salad with any remaining vinaigrette.

Note

Pecans may be made up to 1 week ahead. Store in an airtight container. Vinaigrette may be made up to 3 days ahead. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Our Favorite Pimiento Cheese

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Our Favorite Pimiento Cheese

This top-rated pimiento cheese is great to serve as a dip for to use for a sandwich filling.  Stirring in chopped pecans adds great flavor and texture. You can make  this crowd-pleasing cheese spread in minutes–but every step counts, so no fudging!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise, such as Hellman’s or Duke’s
  • 1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimiento, drained
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated onion
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 (8-oz.) block extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 1 (8-oz.) block sharp Cheddar cheese
  • Celery sticks and assorted crackers

Preparation

  1. Make the mayo mixture. In a large bowl, stir together mayonnaise, diced pimiento, Worcestershire sauce, grated onion, and ground red pepper until blended.
  2. Toast the pecans. Toasting brings out the rich flavor of the nuts. Preheat your oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. (Stirring helps to ensure even browning.)
  3. Shred the cheese. Trust us–texture matters. Using the small side of a box grater, finely shred extra-sharp Cheddar cheese. Then use the large side of the grater to coarsely shred sharp Cheddar cheese. Fresh cheese makes a difference.
  4. Stir and enjoy. Add pecans and shredded cheeses to mayo mixture, stirring until blended. You can store it in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Serve with celery sticks and assorted crackers, or make a grilled pimiento cheese sandwich in a skillet or panini press.

Turkey Burger Patty Melts

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Turkey Burger Patty Melts
Never eat a bland turkey burger again! Mix toasted pecans, Gorgonzola cheese, and garlic salt with ground turkey to form the patties. A cranberry-Dijon mustard sauce serves as the perfect condiment to the layers of grilled bread, Monterey Jack cheese, arugula, and favorful turkey burgers.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey
  • 2/3 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 cup canned whole-berry cranberry sauce
  • 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
  • 12 sourdough bread slices
  • 6 (3/4-oz.) Monterey Jack cheese slices
  • 3 cups loosely packed fresh arugula

Preparation

  1. Heat pecans in a small nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often, 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant.
  2. Combine ground turkey, next 3 ingredients, and pecans in a large bowl. Shape into 6 (1/2-inch-thick) patties, shaped to fit bread slices.
  3. Cook patties in a large lightly greased skillet over medium heat 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until done.
  4. Stir together cranberry sauce and Dijon mustard. Spread 1 Tablespoon cranberry mixture on 1 side of each bread slice. Layer 6 sourdough bread slices with Monterey Jack cheese, arugula, and turkey burgers; top with remaining bread slices, cranberry mixture side down.
  5. Cook sandwiches, in 2 batches, on a hot griddle or in a lightly greased skillet over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cheese melts.

Hummingbird Cake

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Hummingbird Cake
The ultimate recipe for Hummingbird Cake. It’s the most requested recipe in our Texas Nutshellers Recipes history and frequents covered dish dinners all across the South, always receiving rave reviews.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 cups chopped bananas
  • Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preparation

  1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; add eggs and oil, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened. (Do not beat.) Stir in vanilla, pineapple, 1 cup pecans, and bananas.
  2. Pour batter into three greased and floured 9-inch round cakepans. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
  3. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake; sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans on top. Store in refrigerator.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
  • 1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

  1. Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.
  2. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until light and fluffy.
  3. Stir in vanilla.

Delectable Granola Recipe

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Delectable Granola RecipeA great make-ahead recipe! Be sure to remove from the cookie sheets within 20 minutes after baking to prevent sticking.

Ingredients

  •  8 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup finely chopped almonds
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup flaked coconut
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Plain yogurt, optional

Preparation

  1. In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, pecans and coconut.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, oil, honey, maple syrup, cinnamon and salt. Heat for 3-4 minutes over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over the oat mixture; stir to coat.
  3. Transfer to two 15-inch x 10-inch x 1-innch baking pans coated with cooking spray.
  4. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until crisp, stirring every 10 minutes.
  5. Cool in pans on wire racks. Store in an airtight container.
  6. Serve with yogurt if desired.

Yield: 11 cups.

 

Bourbon Pecan Pie Milk Shakes

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Bourbon Pecan Pie Milk Shakes

 Ingredients

  • 2 cups vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon
  • 1/8 slice cold baked pecan pie, cut into chunks (from 9-inch pie)
  • Sweetened whipped cream, if desired
  • Toasted pecan halves or chopped pecans, if desired

Preparation

  1. In blender, place ice cream, milk and brandy. Cover and blend on high speed until smooth and creamy. Add pie chunks; cover and blend until smooth, stopping blender to scrape down sides if necessary.
  2. Pour into 2 glasses; top with sweetened whipped cream and pecans. Serve immediately.