To add another dimension of flavor to a green salad, mix in some toasted nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or pine nuts. Toast the nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until they smell fragrant, shaking the pan often.

For hamburgers with a deliciously crunchy crust, sprinkle 1/2 to 3/4 C. chopped, unsalted peanuts on a sheet of wax paper. Press one side of each burger into the chopped nuts and broil, grill, or pan-fry the burgers.

To give frittatas and omelets interesting crunch, add chopped nuts such as cashews or almonds to the egg mixture.

For a pie crust that’s amazingly tasty and healthy, use ground nuts and oil in place of shortening or butter. In a food processor, combine 1/2 C. toasted slivered almonds, 1/3 C. sugar, and 1/4 tsp. salt until finely ground. Add 1 C. plain dried bread crumbs and pulse until mixed. Drizzle in 1 beaten egg white and 2 tsp. olive oil. Pulse until just combined. Press into a 9-inch springform pan or pie plate. Pre-bake the crust on a baking sheet for 10 minutes before adding the filling.

To give sauces rich body, add finely ground nuts. For instance, ground walnuts, blue cheese, and half-and-half make a fabulous sauce for pasta. Finely ground pine nuts lend flavor and body to pesto sauce. Pureed chestnuts make a rich base for sauces and soups.

For a tropical crust on fish fillets, add ground macadamia nuts to the breading. Or coat the fillets in flour, then beaten eggs, then chopped macadamia nuts. Sauté and serve topped with a simple pineapple salsa of cubed pineapple, chopped cilantro, red onion, and fresh lime juice.

To make stuffing taste better, stir about 1 C. toasted and chopped pecans into 6 to 8 C. your favorite poultry stuffing.

If you overcooked your stir-fry, add crunch with crushed peanuts or cashews.

For a new twist on breaded chicken, stir finely ground nuts into the bread crumb mixture. Pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews, and peanuts all work well.

For an effortless muffin topping, sprinkle chopped nuts onto the muffin batter in each muffin C. before baking.

To make more substantial rice pilafs, add chopped nuts such as pistachios, macadamias, or almonds.

To liven up egg salad or chicken salad sandwiches, add 1/2 C. toasted and chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, or cashews to every 2 to 3 C. salad.