A California Gardener’s Delicious Winter Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup California walnuts
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 loaf rustic country bread
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 (8-ounce) ball of burrata cheese
• 8-10 ripe fresh figs, sliced thinly
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Mint Pesto

• 1/3 cup California walnuts
• 2 cups fresh mint leaves
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• juice of 1 lemon

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a small saucepan, combine the walnuts, sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Cook over moderate heat, stirring for 5 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the walnuts to a parchment-lined baking sheet, and sprinkle lightly with salt. Bake for 9 minutes, or until the nuts are fragrant and lightly caramelized. Let cool.
• Make the mint pesto by adding all ingredients to a food processor or blender, and blending until well-combined.
• Slice bread thinly into (1/2-inch) slices. Heat broiler (or, you could also use an indoor grill pan on stove). Brush each side of bread slices with extra virgin olive oil, then broil until lightly charred, turning once, about 1 minute per side.
• Transfer to a cutting board. On each still-warm toast, spread about a teaspoon of the burrata.
• Drizzle with about half of the mint pesto, top with a slice or 2 of fresh figs, then scatter walnuts and pomegranates over the tops of the toasts.
• Cut each toast in half, and sprinkle with fresh mint leaves for garnish.
• Store remaining pesto in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days.