5 More Completely Unexpected Pecan Recipes
Welcome to your latest episode of “Pecan Recipes You Don’t Expect!” And why provide you with a few more unexpected pecan recipes? Because why not?! Most of us are familiar with pecan desserts, pies, and pecan snacks. But what about those unexpected pecan recipes that surprise and delight us? This won’t be the first time we’ve dipped a toe of culinary delight into the pool of unexpected pecan pleasures. So, let’s do it again! It’s time to have some good old pecan-loving fun.
We also wanted to present some easy pecan dishes for you to enjoy. It was important to us that the instructions and ingredients be as minimal as possible. Because let’s face it, we share a lot of pecan recipes, but what sets them apart? How can we make one a little different? And what other important factors can we focus on? For today’s article, we’re going with unexpected, delicious, and minimal.
Finally, since we particularly enjoy surprising you with both sweet and savory unexpected pecan treats, we decided to cover both options in today’s edition of unexpected pecan delights. Some of these will leave you wondering, “Is that really good?” Believe us – they’re all amazingly delicious! So, without wasting any more time on descriptions and introductions, let’s dip that toe into the pecan recipe pool.
Pecan and Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates
These Pecan and Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates are the perfect appetizer for any occasion! The sweet Medjool dates are stuffed with tangy goat cheese and crunchy pecans, making for a deliciously balanced bite. Even more, they are unexpected. That’s the criteria for entry into this article, right? This is a sophisticated snack perfect for any party that will have your guests squealing with delight.
Ingredients
12 Medjool dates, pitted
2 oz goat cheese
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step One
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Step Two
In a small bowl, mix the goat cheese and pecans.
Step Three
Stuff each date with a small spoonful of the goat cheese mixture and place it on a baking sheet.
Step Four
Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the dates are slightly caramelized and the cheese is melted.
Step Five
Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and serve warm.
Does that sound like an amazing appetizer or what? Because who needs a boring cheese platter when you can have these Pecan and Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates? They're the perfect way to impress your guests and your taste buds! For storage, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and eat them whenever you want.
Pecan Crusted Salmon
This Pecan Crusted Salmon is a healthy and flavorful way to enjoy your favorite fish! The pecan crust adds a nutty crunch to every bite and pairs perfectly with the tender salmon. Consider sourcing organic, wild-caught salmon for this amazing recipe. Organic salmon is raised without the use of antibiotics, growth hormones, or synthetic pesticides, making it a safer and healthier option. Wild-caught salmon, on the other hand, is caught in its natural habitat, which makes it an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. You’ll be eating food that tastes great and is also great for you!
Ingredients
4 salmon fillets
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step One
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Step Two
In a small bowl, mix the chopped pecans, breadcrumbs, and olive oil.
Step Three
Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
Step Four
Press the pecan mixture onto the top of each fillet, making sure it adheres well.
Step Five
Place the fillets on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the salmon is cooked through.
This Pecan Crusted Salmon is so good, you'll forget it's actually good for you! The crunchy crust and tender salmon make for a perfect match. And it’s a perfect unexpected dinner that will leave your entire family smacking their lips in anticipation. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days but eat it fast because the salmon won’t keep for long.
Pecan Butter
Move over peanut butter, there's a new nut butter in town! This homemade Pecan Butter is smooth, creamy, and full of nutty flavor. Spread it on toast, use it as a dip for fruits and veggies, or just eat it by the spoonful! And trust us, eat it by the spoonful you will, because it’s that good.
It’s also important to talk about this as a base ingredient for other dishes. Butter is used in so many things, so if you want a little pecan flavor and smoothness in your baked goods or other dishes, pecan butter is the way to go. Even better, it’s simple and requires little fuss to prepare.
Ingredients
2 cups pecans
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp honey
Instructions
Step One
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step Two
Spread the pecans out on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly toasted.
Step Three
Let the pecans cool slightly, then transfer them to a food processor or blender.
Step Four
Add the salt and honey to the pecans and blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step Five
Transfer the pecan butter to a jar or container and store it in the fridge.
You won't be able to resist this homemade Pecan Butter! Spread it on toast, dip your veggies in it, or just eat it straight out of the jar. Trust us, it's that good. Pecan butter is also great because it stores in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks and up to 4 weeks in the refrigerator, so you can use it to your heart’s content on all sorts of dishes.
Pecan and Mushroom Quiche
Oh my, another amazing savory pecan recipe for you to sink your eyes – and eventually teeth – into. This Pecan and Mushroom Quiche is the perfect brunch dish! The nutty pecans and earthy mushrooms come together in a savory and satisfying way, and the flaky crust is the perfect finishing touch. This is another appetizer that’s perfect for a party or a night at home with the family.
Ingredients
1 pie crust
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1 cup chopped pecans
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Step One
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Step Two
Place the pie crust in a 9-inch pie dish and prick the bottom with a fork.
Step Three
In a medium skillet, sauté the mushrooms until softened and slightly browned.
Step Four
In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper.
Step Five
Spread the mushrooms and pecans evenly in the pie crust, then pour the egg mixture over the top.
Step Six
Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the quiche is set and the crust is golden brown. This Pecan and Mushroom Quiche is the brunch dish of our dreams! The nutty pecans and earthy mushrooms make for a savory and satisfying meal that's perfect for any occasion. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Barbarie Duck Legs with Pecans
We’re bringing you a very exotic dish with our final recipe. This is one you won’t want to wait until Christmas for. Barbarie Duck Legs with Pecans is a perfect way to elevate your dinner game! The succulent duck legs are complemented by the nutty pecan sauce, creating a unique and flavorful combination. This one will really impress you, your family, and your guests. No matter who is eating it, they’re going to love it.
Ingredients
2 Barbarie duck legs
1 cup chopped pecans
2 shallots, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step One
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Step Two
Season the duck legs with salt and pepper.
Step Three
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the duck legs and sear them on both sides until golden brown.
Step Four
Transfer the duck legs to a baking dish and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until cooked to your liking.
Step Five
In the same skillet used to sear the duck legs, add the shallots and garlic and cook until softened.
Step Six
Add the chopped pecans to the skillet and toast for 1-2 minutes.
Step Seven
Add the chicken broth to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.
Step Eight
Add the butter to the skillet and stir until melted and well combined.
Step Nine
Serve the duck legs with the pecan sauce spooned over the top and enjoy!
This Barbarie Duck Legs with Pecans recipe is a surefire way to impress your dinner guests! The succulent duck legs paired with the nutty pecan sauce make for a unique and delicious combination that's sure to become a favorite. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Thank us later for another five incredibly unexpected pecan recipes. You know we’ll be back with another installment in this popular series very soon! For now, enjoy these amazing dishes!