Walnuts should be cut according to the type of salad in which they are used.
The walnuts included in a walnut salad should complement the basic ingredients of the dish. Whole walnut halves are best used when making a dry salad that will also include vegetable or fruit segments. Pecan chunks pair better than whole pecan halves in creamy salads like chicken and tuna, which are mixed with a mayonnaise base. These nuts can be flavored by the chef using a roasting method and mixed with any type of seasoning to add extra interest to salad ingredients.
Orange slices can be used to make a fruit salad with nuts.
Walnuts are a great addition to any salad. This large nut provides a warm, tender meaty flavor that pairs well with a wide variety of foods, including meats, vegetables, and fruits. It can be served whole, chunked, or ground in a food processor and added to a seasoning mix. Walnuts naturally fall from walnut trees during warm and moderately cold months. They are usually available for purchase at local supermarkets and are produced by farmers in-shell or still contained in their hard, dark brown shells.
A fruit-based dressing can be used with a nut salad.
Dried walnut salad that will later be tossed or topped with a light dressing should have halved walnuts. Consumers can purchase these full-size halves at local supermarkets and specialty gourmet food retailers. This type of pecan selection was hand selected to remove small cracked segments or fragments. The remaining pieces are large, golden brown, and provide a rich, meaty flavor. This style of pecan works well in dry salads, both in terms of appearance and flavor, where the flavor can be fully enjoyed without competing with other ingredients. It tends to go well with chicken and citrus fruits.
Creamy walnut salad, mixed with cooked meat and a mayonnaise base, is usually mixed with smaller segments. This type of nut selection will include pieces that were broken off during the shelling process and can be a cost-effective solution for chefs. If only halved segments are available, they can be broken up with a mortar and pestle, or by placing the halves in a food processor set to chop. The processor should only be activated in short bursts or three seconds or less to avoid bruising the nuts or creating a fine powder. This nut can add a unique texture and savory flavor to a chicken salad reminiscent of fall when topped with sweet dried cranberries and fresh, crisp chopped celery.
Toasted walnuts are best used with a walnut salad that includes fruit segments or a fruit-based dressing. Walnuts can be dry roasted in the oven, on the grill, for several minutes. Chefs may want to wait during the roasting process to make sure it doesn’t burn. Hot pecans can be mixed with any type of seasoning, once removed from the oven, to add flavor. Spiced salt, garlic, and pepper are common choices for roasted nuts to be used in savory salads. Cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg, and allspice can be used in the pecans, which will be served with raspberries, strawberries, and orange slices.