Pine nuts… those tiny little gems are packed with flavor. Also known as piñón, pinoli or pignoli, they’re most associated with Mediterranean cuisine, but go great as a garnish in so many recipes.
They are an expensive ingredient, but they’re so flavorful that just a small sprinkle will enhance your basic meal or salad to new levels.
Today we are presenting you with our list of the 20 Best Pine Nut Recipes from GypsyPlate and around the internet. Here you’ll find everything from appetizers to salads to mains to sweets.
You see, pine nuts are such versatile little bombs of flavor that once you meet your acquaintance you’ll be looking for new ways to use them. We hope you enjoy these pine nut recipes as much as we did!
1. Pesto Sauce
Perhaps the most well known of the pine nut recipes, pesto is a classic Italian sauce with load of garlic, fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil, along with our favorite pine nuts. This sauce is super varsatile and goes great on pasta, pizzas and in salads. It also makes a tasty marinade.
2. Hummus
Though pine nuts are not a standard ingredient in humus, they are used in this recipe to greatly enhance the flavors. You favorite dip has never tasted so good.
3. Hashweh (Lebanese Rice with Ground Meat)
This Lebanese Hashweh rice is a hearty one pot meal where rice is cooked with ground meat and plenty of warm Middle Eastern spices.
Top it up with fresh parsley and pine nuts, and you have a totally company worthy dish that can serve as an entrée or a side.
4. Baba Ganoush
This easy Baba Ganoush recipe makes the perfect party dip. Roasted eggplant, creamy tahini, and a variety of great flavors enhancers like cherry tomatoes, pine nuts come together beautifully.
5. Mediterranean Braised Chicken
Think coq au vin taken to the next level. This recipes features melt in your mouth tender chicken braised in wine with dried apricots, tons of fresh herbs and garnished with pine nuts. This one can’t be missed!
6. Loaded Layered Hummus Dip
Take this hummus platter to your next entertaining, beautifully assembled with your favorite hummus drizzled generously with extra virgin olive oil. Top it with perfectly seasoned ground beef, colorful garnishing with plenty of nutty toasted pine nuts.
7. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is the light and tasty side dish you need this summer. A simple mix of quinoa, a few veggies, some Mediterranean staples, and a zesty lemon dressing is all it takes.
8. Mediterranean Zucchini Boats
A lighter alternative to your usual cheesy stuffed zucchini, these Mediterranean inspired boats feature perfectly seasoned meat with pine nuts, feta cheese and cherry tomatoes.
9. Pignoli Cookies
These tasty cookies are another popular Italian recipe. The sweetness and nuttiness blend together beautifully.
10. Parmesan Pine Nut Artisan Loaf
Artisan style breads are a big thing nowadays and this recipe is not to be missed. This is a nice crusty bread with a soft interior with great cheesy nutty flavors.
Get the Recipe @ cookingwithruthie
11. Lemon Arugula Salad
Pine nuts are a great topper on salads for both their crunch and flavor. This light and fresh salad has a wonderfully refreshing dressing and makes a great summer side dish.
12. Chicken Pesto Pizza
Go beyond you basic tomato sauce based pizza with this excellent recipe. The garlicky nutty pesto sauce blends beautifully with tender cooked chicken. This is a great weeknight dinner idea the kids will love.
Get the Recipe @ lifemadesimple
13. Parmesan, Oregano and Pine Nut Melts
These crispy little wafers only need four ingredients and make a great low carb snacking option. Whip up a batch for your next party and watch them disappear!
Get the Recipe @ notenoughcinnamon
14. Scallop Pesto Pasta
Just look at that bowl of pasta, doesn’t it scream decadence? Perfectly seared scallops and my favorite cherry tomatoes blend perfectly with that herby pesto sauce!
Get the Recipe @ playswellwithbutter
15. Jeweled Yellow Rice and Pignoli
Spruce up your side dish routine with this gorgeous jeweled rice. This turmeric enhanced rice with crunchy pine nuts and the sweetness of raisins make a perfect side for your favorite grilled meats or veggies.
Get the Recipe @ garlicandzest
16. Asian Pasta Salad
Though pine nuts are not a typical ingredient in Asian cuisine, they blend perfectly with the sweet and umami flavors of this refreshing pasta salad.
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
17. Green Beans with Bacon & Pine Nuts
Everything’s better with bacon right? How about bacon and pine nuts? That’s what you get with this great green bean recipe. This is surely going to become a staple on my holiday table!
Get the Recipe @ houseofnasheats
18. Mushroom Orzo Pasta
This rich and creamy mushroom orzo pasta is a great side dish but is hearty enough to make for a meatless night main. The crunch from the pine nuts make this one just about perfect.
Get the Recipe @ carlsbadcravings
19. Summer Caprese Salad
This light and fresh caprese salad is the perfect summer lunch or appetizer. Fresh tomatoes, basil and mozzarella with a scattering of crunchy pine nuts.
Get the Recipe @ thecafesucrefarine
20. Lemon Garlic Fish with Toasted Pine Nuts
A light Mediterranean inspired main dish, this baked fish is gently seasoned with lime and garlic and garnished with fresh parsley and toasted pine nuts.
Get the Recipe @ itstartswithgoodfood
21. Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta, Cranberries & Pine Nuts
This gorgeous Brussels sprouts recipe beautifully combines sweet, savory, salty and nutty. I would go great on any holiday spread, but is tasty enough to try all year round.
Get the Recipe @ browneyedbaker
22. Pear Pine Nut Coffee Cake
This coffee cake makes a great afternoon snack or dessert. I love this one with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream!
Get the Recipe @ mountainmommacooks
23. Chocolate Pine Nut Biscotti
One look at this easy biscotti and I know what I want to dip in my next cup of coffee. The nutty flavors blend beautifully with the chocolate base.
Get the Recipe @ marisasitaliankitchen
The next time you’re at the grocery store, be sure to pick up a pack of these delicious little gems. They may look expensive, but a little goes a long ways.
Let me know which is your favorite pine nut recipe, and be sure to pin or bookmark this page for plenty of great ideas. While you’re at it, subscribe to GypsyPlate, we have a whole world of flavors coming your way!
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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