Walnuts have so many health benefits! In this post, learn to make a delicious Mexican burrito filled with a seasoned walnut "meat".
Walnuts have so many health benefits! In this post, learn to make a delicious Mexican burrito filled with a seasoned walnut "meat".
This recipe was made in our very first live, virtual cooking class for adults. It's so quick and easy we were done in less than 20 minutes. Try these and you'll fall in love with the flavorful walnut meat, crunchy collards and creamy avocado.
Don't take my word for it....one of the live class participants posted this on social media!
Top three benefits of walnuts
Antioxidant properties help our bodies fight certain types of cancer
Cardiovascular benefits work towards prevention of heart disease
Studies have shown that an ounce of walnuts daily over a period of 2-3 months can help reduce abdominal fat!
Where are walnuts grown?
China is the largest commercial producer of walnuts in the world, and the United States is second. Within the U.S., about 90% of all walnuts are grown in California!
Tips for Preparing Walnuts
However you decide to use walnuts in your recipes, be sure to include the skin. The skin is the whitish, waxy, or flaky, outermost part of the walnut once it has been shelled. Though some people say it can be bitter, I encourage you to leave it on. Once seasoning is added, you won't notice a thing.
According to World's Healthiest Foods, researchers now know that about 90% of the phenols in walnuts are found in the skin, including key phenolic acids, tannins, and flavonoids.
Eat raw or cook over LOW heat to preserve healthy oils - no higher than 160-170F for 15-20 minutes.
Ideas for how to use walnuts
Over oatmeal
In raw desserts
In homemade granola
With plain coconut yogurt and topped with agave or maple syrup
In salads or with healthy sautéed vegetables
Make a walnut pate by blending with fresh herbs and a little flax oil
Add to your favorite stuffing recipe
Mexican Collard Burritos with Walnuts
2-3 meal size wraps Vegan, Gluten Free, Raw
Ingredients
3/4 cup raw walnuts 1/2 tsp ground coriander 1/2 tsp ground cumin ½ tsp garlic powder (optional) Dash of chili powder and cayenne pepper
1 tsp Liquid Aminos, tamari or soy sauce 1/4 cup chopped sweet pepper 1/4 cup chopped tomatoes 1 green onion, chopped (or red onion works well too) 3 collard green leaves, or any broad leaf green or lettuce
½ an avocado, sliced (optional)
Directions
1. Pulse walnuts in food processor until broken down but not ground; mix in a small bowl with coriander, cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper and Liquid Aminos.
2. Cut bottom two inches of stem out of the collards – leaving the leaf intact. Turn collard so green side is down. Top each with 1/3 walnut mixture; 1/3 bell pepper, 1/3 tomatoes and 1/3 green onion, 1/3 of the avocado. Roll, fold sides (burrito style) and continue rolling. Flip so seam sides down; cut in half and enjoy!