Want to know the secret to finding really, really expensive cooking oil for really, really cheap? This walnut oil, for example, usually retails for $12.99 online. I got it for $5.99. Yup. That's almost half off.
Are you paying attention?
Walnut oil has a rich, earthy flavor, making it a tasty substitute for olive oil in a vinaigrette. I made a simple salad with romaine lettuce, arugula, raisins, nuts, and garlic croutons. Then I topped it with a walnut vinaigrette, made with a few springs of thyme, 1 tablespoon of walnut oil, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, and a dash of salt and pepper. Simply delicious.
So where do you get the deal of your foodie life on walnut oil (and other fancy ingredients)?
Marshalls or TJ Maxx! Recently, while I was visiting my parents in the suburbs of Boston, I hit up a few locations and, score, I won the La Torangelle lottery in aisle four. When I spied the bottles of La Tourangelle on the shelf, an item that I had been eying longingly at Whole Foods ever since I had avocado, with pistachio oil, and sea salt on grilled bread at Cork, I almost did the truffle shuffle right there in the middle of the store.
La Tourangelle has lots of recipes (like the one below) on their website.
Walnut Chardonnay Dressing
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon of shallots (chopped)1 tablespoon of parsley
2 egg yolks
1 cup of olive oil
2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard
4 tablespoons of Chardonnay
2 tablespoons of sherry vinegar
1 cup of walnut oil
salt & pepper to taste
Combine egg yolk, mustard, sherry vinegar and Chardonnay in blender. Slowly add oil until it is all incorporated, season to taste with salt and white pepper, then adjust the consistency to be that of buttermilk, by adding a little water if needed. Remove from blender and toss in parsley and shallots. Chill.
