Earlier this month my family celebrated our February birthdays (4 of them) at our new favorite restaurant in Seattle and I was trying to think of something tasty but sugar-free to go with the gifts I had for my sisters-in-law. I’m not competitive (much) and I enjoy making homemade treats for my loved ones that out-do anything someone might pick up at the store. And since one of my SIL’s is particularly picky, going with an edible is almost always a safe bet.
Last year, my fiancé and I found this great pizza place in Greenwood (a bit north of Seattle) and have converted the family so it is now our go-to place where everyone can find something to eat. They offer a large variety of meals with separate menus for Traditional, Gluten Free, Vegan and Vegan Gluten Free. they have a great vegan pesto sauce and delicious Caesar salad.
It is still a bit challenging for me with no nightshades but at least we can all get together and find something we want to eat (I just pick the peppers off). The restaurant is called Razzi’s Pizzeria and they have two locations in the Seattle area. Check them out!
Anyway, I had been meaning to post a new way to enjoy nuts on the trail and share how I make my own paleo ranch seasoning and so my homemade birthday gifts came together in this easy recipe. I have been making my own ranch for some years now with this mix, adding it to homemade mayo and coconut cream for dressing or dips and sprinkling it on veggies or fish. Who doesn’t love ranch?!?
#dill #garlic #seasalt #blackpepper #coconutmilkpowder #walnuts #coconutoil
Before I started making my own ranch, I thought it was this mysterious and complicated concoction. I mean, how else did it taste to good?? Who knew it would be so simple. Some folks get fancy with parsley and other herbs but I believe less is more. You can put this together with just 5 ingredients, most of which are standard kitchen spice staples.
Just add the dill, garlic powder, salt and black pepper to the food processor with the coconut milk powder and pulse a few times to blend well. Viola!
To make the seasoned nuts, start by preheating your oven to 275 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat and in a small glass dish, melt your coconut oil (toaster oven or microwave).
Then, toss the coconut oil, walnuts and four tablespoons of seasoning with a large wooden spoon in a large bowl until well covered and lay out on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for ten minutes, stir, and then bake for another ten-fifteen minutes. Watch to make sure they don’t start to burn on the edges.
That’s it! Let cool and then store in airtight jars.
Tip: letting the nuts or whatever you season (dressing, etc.) “rest” a few hours or overnight enhances the flavor of the ranch. Also, if you know you are going to be adding the seasoning to a milk or milk alternative, you can combine just the spices without the coconut milk powder for the same delicious flavor!
On a side note, my family is not only excited I am getting married, they are excited that with the addition of my fiancé to the family we will now have every month of the year covered with birthdays. June has been the last hold out month! Are you surprised to hear that we hold monthly birthdays instead of each one separately? There wouldn’t be any non-birthday weekends if we didn’t!
Oven Baked Walnuts with Homemade Ranch Seasoning
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
25 minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Nightshade Free, No Dehydrator Needed, Paleo, Vegan
Servings: 24 1/4 cup servings
Ingredients
Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons dried dill
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup coconut milk powder
Nut Mix
- 4 tablespoons ranch seasoning
- 6 cups whole walnuts
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
Instructions
- Mix the first five ingredients in a food processor to make the ranch seasoning mix. Makes a little more than one cup. Store in an airtight glass container.
- Melt the coconut oil and mix with the walnuts in a large bowl. Add four tablespoons of the seasoning mix and toss with the walnuts to cover well.
- Lay out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silpat and bake in the oven at 275 degrees for ten minutes. Stir and then bake for another ten-fifteen minutes. Let cool and store in an airtight container.
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