Sherried Walnuts Recipes

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
• Place the brown sugar, white sugar, salt, sherry, orange zest, and orange extract into a heavy saucepan, and stir until well combined. Bring to a boil over medium-low heat, stirring constantly; boil for 1 minute. Stir in the butter. Remove from heat, and stir in the walnut halves to coat with syrup.
• Spread the candied walnut halves out onto the prepared baking sheet, and allow to cool thoroughly, at least 1 hour. Break into bite-size chunks to serve.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Cream butter and sugar till light and fluffy.
• Beat in egg yolks, one at a time.
• Mix in 1/2 cup of walnuts, rind, and anise extract.
• Add flour and sherry alternately, beginning and ending with flour.
• Spread the remaining walnuts on a plate.
• Drop 1-inch balls of dough into the nuts, roll, and place on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly browned.
• For holiday cookies, press a sliver of candied cherry into the center of each cookie before baking.

Steps:

• Line 2 cookie sheets with waxed paper. Combine first 5 ingredients in heavy large saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Cook without stirring until clip-on candy thermometer registers 240°F., about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add nuts and stir until syrup begins to look cloudy, about 2 minutes. Divide mixture between cookie sheets. Working quickly, separate nuts with fork. Cool. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)

Steps:

• Place all of the ingredients, except the oils, in a blender and process on high speed. With the machine running, gradually add the olive and walnut oils until the vinaigrette is emulsified, about 1 minute. Refrigerate until ready to serve. (The vinaigrette can be prepared up to 1 week in advance, covered and refrigerated.)
• Note: To toast walnuts, place the walnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F. oven, stirring occasionally, until toasted, 8 to 12 minutes. Cool completely.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a small ovenproof casserole or roasting pan place the beets with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Toss to coat well and push to 1 side of the pan. In a piece of foil, place the carrots with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Toss to coat well. Wrap the foil tightly and place alongside the beets in the roasting pan. Transfer to the oven and bake, stirring occasionally, until the beets are crisp-tender, about 45 minutes. The carrots may be done earlier, so check occasionally. Remove the beets from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Toss with the tarragon and chives and set aside to cool to room temperature.
• In a mixing bowl combine the sherry vinegar, honey, remaining salt, and remaining pepper and whisk to combine. While continuing to whisk, add the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil and the walnut oil in a thin, steady stream, until smooth and emulsified.
• Place the lettuce in a salad bowl and add the beets, walnuts, and crumbled goat cheese. Drizzle some of the vinaigrette over the salad, to taste, and toss to thoroughly combine. Serve immediately, drizzled with additional vinaigrette, if desired.