Pistachio & Meyer Lemon Mousse Cakes with Mirror Glaze

Lemon lovers, this one’s for you! These bright and sunny entrement cakes feature a core of Meyer lemon curd nestled inside a fluffy lemon and vanilla mousse, with a base of crisp and nutty pistachio dacquoise, all enrobed in a beautifully shiny yellow mirror glaze. Lemon and pistachio is a match made for springtime. With […]

The post Pistachio & Meyer Lemon Mousse Cakes with Mirror Glaze first appeared on Love and Olive Oil.

Lemon lovers, this one’s for you! These bright and sunny entrement cakes feature a core of Meyer lemon curd nestled inside a fluffy lemon and vanilla mousse, with a base of crisp and nutty pistachio dacquoise, all enrobed in a beautifully shiny yellow mirror glaze.

Lemon and pistachio is a match made for springtime. With a tangy lemon curd center and a light and airy lemon mousse, these gorgeous Meyer lemon and pistachio mini mousse cakes are dressed to impress with a shiny yellow mirror glaze and bright green pistachio accents.

Round plate with bright yellow dome-shaped mousse cakes, one cut to show the layers inside; bowl of lemons in the background.

Spring means lemons, and while I’m not usually one for lemon desserts, these gorgeous little mousse cakes are most definitely an exception. 

I mean, just look at them! What’s not to love? A joyful combination of lemon, vanilla, and pistachio flavors, they’re like little pops of sunshine… for your tastebuds.

I was the lucky recipient of a box of Meyer lemons from my aunt’s tree in California. Such a delivery always makes me very, very happy, moreso than shoes or clothes or books even. I dedicated about half the lemons for more homemade limoncello (I hope to update the post with more info later this year), but the rest were just sitting in the box, begging me to use them in something unique and delicious.

These lemon and pistachio entremet cakes are certainly that!

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Roasted Beet Salad with Vegan “Goat Cheese”

Too often dairy-free folks have to settle for less than desirable cheese substitutes. Not anymore! This roasted beet and vegan “goat cheese” salad hits ALL the notes you remember from this classic pairing. 
Zingy, tangy vegan “goat cheese” pairs w…

Roasted Beet Salad with Vegan “Goat Cheese”

Too often dairy-free folks have to settle for less than desirable cheese substitutes. Not anymore! This roasted beet and vegan “goat cheese” salad hits ALL the notes you remember from this classic pairing. 

Zingy, tangy vegan “goat cheese” pairs with sweet, juicy beets and peppery, nutrient-packed microgreens. Just 10 ingredients required for this delicious, wintery salad perfect as an appetizer or side. Let’s do this!

This beautiful salad comes together with four components: 1) tender roasted beets, 2) homemade (or store-bought) vegan “goat cheese”, 3) a simple balsamic dressing, and 4) nutrient-packed microgreens.

Roasted Beet Salad with Vegan “Goat Cheese” from Minimalist Baker →

Vibrant Roasted Cauliflower Salad (Middle Eastern-Inspired)

Into making veggies delicious and exciting? This roasted cauliflower salad does just that! Flavors and textures abound with smoky + zesty spices, sweet roasted red onions, crunchy pistachios, and tart pomegranate molasses.
It’s a show-stopping side in…

Vibrant Roasted Cauliflower Salad (Middle Eastern-Inspired)

Into making veggies delicious and exciting? This roasted cauliflower salad does just that! Flavors and textures abound with smoky + zesty spices, sweet roasted red onions, crunchy pistachios, and tart pomegranate molasses.

It’s a show-stopping side inspired by Ottolenghi. Perfect for the holiday table, but also easy enough to throw together on a weeknight. Just 30 minutes required. Let us show you how it’s done!

Vibrant Roasted Cauliflower Salad (Middle Eastern-Inspired) from Minimalist Baker →

Pistachio Crème Brûlée

Classic crème brûlée gets a nutty new twist in this ultra-creamy pistachio crème brûlée recipe, made with luscious pistachio cream for a gorgeous flavor and color. With a golden brown caramelized sugar topping a touch of gold leaf for added elegance, this dessert is as stunning as it is easy to prepare, making it perfect […]

The post Pistachio Crème Brûlée first appeared on Love and Olive Oil.

Classic crème brûlée gets a nutty new twist in this ultra-creamy pistachio crème brûlée recipe, made with luscious pistachio cream for a gorgeous flavor and color.

With a golden brown caramelized sugar topping a touch of gold leaf for added elegance, this dessert is as stunning as it is easy to prepare, making it perfect for both holiday and everyday entertaining.

White ramekins with Pistachio Crème Brûlée, topped with a speck of gold leaf, one ramekin with a spoonful taken out to show the creamy texture.

I originally set out to update my pumpkin crème brûlée recipe from years ago (which is delicious, but the photos could definitely be better).

But as I scrolled through the 70+ comments on that recipe (don’t you miss the olden days of blogging when we actually got comments?! *sob*). Anyway, one of the comments mentioned having recently made a pistachio crème brûlée and, well, I changed gears real fast.

Luckily I had some pistachio creme left in the pantry from previous recipe experiments (I seriously love this stuff), and so I whipped up a test batch of this pistachio crème brûlée.

And let me tell you… it is perfection.

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Snap Pea Salad with Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette

We always love the chance to highlight our favorite veggies, and the star of the show today is the (crunchy & sweet) snap pea! Our obsession with snap peas started earlier this year when we discovered the magic that is sautéed snap peas, and now we…

Snap Pea Salad with Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette

We always love the chance to highlight our favorite veggies, and the star of the show today is the (crunchy & sweet) snap pea! Our obsession with snap peas started earlier this year when we discovered the magic that is sautéed snap peas, and now we’re bringing you a simple and fresh snap pea salad!

This salad is the perfect balance of bright, tangy, and savory.

Snap Pea Salad with Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette from Minimalist Baker →

16 Sweet & Savory Ways to Use Pistachios

Though almonds and walnuts receive their fair share of admiration, the bright, funky pistachio is arguably the most versatile nut in your pantry. Great as a snack on their own, these nuts can also coat meat and poultry, dress up a simple sandwich, and …

Though almonds and walnuts receive their fair share of admiration, the bright, funky pistachio is arguably the most versatile nut in your pantry. Great as a snack on their own, these nuts can also coat meat and poultry, dress up a simple sandwich, and upgrade any and every dessert. Even better, their vibrant green hue turns the simplest treat into a stunning dessert. So stock up, shell away, and give pistachios the praise they deserve with these sweet and savory recipes. —Taylor Schwartz

1. Strawberry & Pistachio Knafeh Cookies

PIstachios aren’t all that beautiful used whole. It’s when you expose that saturated green interior that things really get going, as in these no-bake cookies (along with rose petals and melted white chocolate) they’re simply stunning.

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Vibrant Celery Salad with Dates & Pistachios

We often find ourselves with leftover celery after making soups (anyone else?) and now we’ve found the tastiest way to use it up! This celery salad (with dates, mandarins, and pistachios, oh my!) is SO fresh, bright, and crunchy that you’ll wish …

Vibrant Celery Salad with Dates & Pistachios

We often find ourselves with leftover celery after making soups (anyone else?) and now we’ve found the tastiest way to use it up! This celery salad (with dates, mandarins, and pistachios, oh my!) is SO fresh, bright, and crunchy that you’ll wish you had leftover celery every week! 

It’s the perfect simple side or appetizer to pair with richer entrées.

Vibrant Celery Salad with Dates & Pistachios from Minimalist Baker →

Salted Pistachio & Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies

With crispy edges and soft, chewy centers, and studded with chunks of crunchy pistachios, pools of molten chocolate, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top, these pistachio and chocolate chunk cookies are a step above the rest. Pistachio flour and pistachio extract amp up the pistachio flavor even more and give the cookies […]

The post Salted Pistachio & Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies first appeared on Love and Olive Oil.

With crispy edges and soft, chewy centers, and studded with chunks of crunchy pistachios, pools of molten chocolate, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top, these pistachio and chocolate chunk cookies are a step above the rest.

Pistachio flour and pistachio extract amp up the pistachio flavor even more and give the cookies a slightly green hue. They’re not your grandma’s chocolate chip cookies, that’s for sure, but I have a feeling grandma would be totally on board with fancied-up chocolate chip cookies like these.

A few Salted Pistachio & Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies on a piece of crinkled parchment, with a glass of milk and bowl of shelled pistachios.

Pistachio and chocolate is a flavor combination I’ve explored before. More than once, actually.

I still had some pistachio flour left from my most recent pistachio experiments (to say I went through a bit of a pistachio phase would be an understatement, and honestly? Can you really call if a phase if it never really ended?) I figured I’d use it to step up my chocolate chip cookie game, upgrading your standard CCC into something truly grand.

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Minty Watermelon Cucumber Salad (Vegan)

Get ready for summertime in a bowl! This fresh and juicy watermelon salad is bursting with flavor thanks to sweet watermelon, crisp cucumber, bright mint leaves, zingy onions, a hint of spice from jalapeños, and crunchy pepitas (or pistachios). It’s al…

Minty Watermelon Cucumber Salad (Vegan)

Get ready for summertime in a bowl! This fresh and juicy watermelon salad is bursting with flavor thanks to sweet watermelon, crisp cucumber, bright mint leaves, zingy onions, a hint of spice from jalapeños, and crunchy pepitas (or pistachios). It’s all beautifully balanced with salty vegan feta and a zesty lime dressing. Where do we sign up!?

This is a plant-based take on the classic combo that you don’t want to miss!

Minty Watermelon Cucumber Salad (Vegan) from Minimalist Baker →

Halvah

A few years ago, tahini took its place in the spotlight. People discovered the sesame paste, usually used in hummus, could be used in cookies, cakes, salad dressings, sauces as well as in other places. Soon halvah also had its day, becoming a star ingredient in tart doughs and rugelach. But halvah is a wonderful treat on its own. During my childhood, I’d only been…

A few years ago, tahini took its place in the spotlight. People discovered the sesame paste, usually used in hummus, could be used in cookies, cakes, salad dressings, sauces as well as in other places. Soon halvah also had its day, becoming a star ingredient in tart doughs and rugelach. But halvah is a wonderful treat on its own.

During my childhood, I’d only been exposed to halvah sold in bars by the cash register in delis, but when I went to Jerusalem, I was wowed at the market to see towering rounds of halvah at places like Halvah Kingdom, which were topped (and studded or swirled) with various ingredients like dried fruit, nuts, rose petals, cocoa, coffee beans, and chocolate amongst the reported one hundred varieties that they make. The halvah was like nothing I’d ever put in my mouth; you could taste the quality of the sesame seeds used in every crumbly bite. (If you want a taste of outstanding halvah in the U.S., check out Seed & Mill.)

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