Numerous green salad, fruit salad and side dish recipes call for toasted nuts. You can also add them to pasta, rice, soup and vegetable dishes, and as plate garnishes. They’re a delicious topping for French toast, pancakes and waffles.

Toasting takes the bite out of walnuts and adds mellow dimensions of flavor to any variety of nut. It can also crisp up older nuts that have gotten soft.

When served as a cheese condiment, warming the nuts brings out the lushness of the cheese, while the salt and crunch of the nuts offer a delightful contrast.

So if you’re looking for something special for Father’s Day, consider a cheese course of Brie or Camembert with toasted pistachios. (Don’t want such a rich cheese? Find another in our Gourmet Cheese section.
 
 
RECIPE: BRIE OR CAMEMBERT WITH WARM PISTACHIOS

Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. PLACE the cheese on the counter (at room temperature) 45 minutes before serving.

2. PREHEAT the oven to 200°F.*

3. SPREAD the pistachios on an ungreased cookie sheet. Toast in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm with the cheese.

Beyond pistachios, here’s how to toast nuts for all occasions, in the oven or on the stove top.
 
 
MORE

> cheese condiments for every occasion.

> The difference between brie and camembert.

> The history of Brie.

> The history of pistachio nuts.
 
 
 
 
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*Note: Most nuts are larger than pistachios, so can be toasted at 350°F.

[2] You can add some spice by using chili-flavored pistachios (photos #2 and #3 © The Wondeful Company).

[3] These chili-roasted pistachios come in family and snack sizes.