Woodbury has gone nuts…for nuts! Many of our local restaurants feature delicious dishes that are both nutritious and chock-full of nuts. Who knew nuts were so versatile? They add the perfect finishing touch to salads, spreads, entrées, desserts and more. Whether you are craving Indian food or a slice of cake, try something a little nutty. With these local options, you won’t be disappointed.
Beef Carpaccio
Cravings Wine Bar and Grille
The nuts that complete this elegant dish are golden-brown toasted pine nuts. This meal looks almost as great as it tastes. Cravings Wine Bar and Grille’s grass-fed tenderloin is perfectly seared and melts in your mouth. It is tastefully paired with whipped blue cheese, signature horseradish, creamy buttermilk, toasted pine nuts and Yukon chips. If this sounds like the entrée for you but you’re looking for a gluten-free option, you’re in luck. Cravings can prepare this meal gluten-free as well for an additional $2 charge. $15.
Cashew Chicken Salad Sandwich
Woodbury Café
This is a customer favorite that turns Woodbury Café’s specialty chicken salad into a delicious sandwich. The chicken salad is complete with all-white chicken, crunchy cashews, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and craisins, all served on honey-grain wheat bread. The sandwich comes with a choice of seasoned waffle fries, salad, steamed green beans or sweet potato tater tots. Have a gluten allergy? All sandwiches at Woodbury Café can be served on gluten-free bread for an additional $1.75. $10.50.
Creamy Almond Butter
Trader Joe’s
Almond butter is the new peanut butter, and Trader Joe’s has all the variations you may be looking for, from creamy to crunchy and roasted or salted. Almonds are the main ingredient in this nutty spread, and there are countless ways to enjoy it. Simply put it on a spoon for a great protein bump, spread it on celery sticks, bagels or English muffins, or even make your own PB&J sandwich, substituting peanut butter with almond butter. $7.99 for a 16 oz. jar.
Pecan Walleye Tidbits
Danny’s Bar and Grill
In the mood for a tasty crunchy and creamy appetizer packed full of flavor? Try this unique and original recipe created by chef Ron at Danny’s Bar and Grill. Walleye bites are encrusted in pecan flour and tossed with dried cherry maple pecan butter sauce and cranberry tartar sauce. With pecans in the flour and butter sauce, the nutty flavor carries throughout this delicious recipe. This appetizer is perfect for sharing with a group, though everyone will be fighting for the last tidbit! $9.95.
Carrot Cake with Pecans
Keys Café and Bakery
Nuts can be the finishing touch on many dishes and salads, but let’s not forget about desserts. Pecans are the nut that adds a crunch to Keys Café and Bakery’s deliciously moist carrot cake. Along with some of your usual cake ingredients such as eggs, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, baker Kari Mueller adds carrots, pineapple, coconut, pecans and apples to her signature carrot cake. All these various ingredients are chopped up and mixed into the batter. The cake is topped with a homemade cream cheese icing. Whether you are having an individual craving or need a sheet cake for a party, this carrot cake is sold in many forms: by the slice in a 10-inch round double layer, or a single layer, quarter sheet cake, half sheet cake and a full-size sheet cake. $39.95 for 10-inch round double layer, $32.95 for a single layer, $4.75 per slice. Additional sizes available.
Chicken or Beef Shahi Korma
India Palace
A crunchy bite of cashews is the perfect garnish for a dish of tender chicken or beef cooked with a creamy sauce and India Palace’s signature fresh homemade Indian cheese. The crunch of cashews and the sweetness of raisins on top of this dish really make the flavors pop in this cheesy and scrumptious meal. All entrées include basmati rice. $12.99.
Chicken Almond Ding
Yang’s Chinese Restaurant
At Yang’s Chinese Restaurant, you’ll find many dishes featuring a variety of nuts. Toasted almonds help to carry out the perfect nutty flavor in Yang’s chicken almond ding. The vibrant and tasty stir-fry mixture is complete with chunks of marinated chicken in a white wine sauce, bamboo shoots, colorful carrots and celery, water chestnuts and mushrooms. The dish is served with Yang’s steamed rice. $10.95 for one quart.
(Pecans are the finishing touch on Keys’ spectacular carrot cake.)
