29 Good Reasons to Shell Some Pistachios (2024)

1/29

Pistachio Cranberry Bark

I picked up this bark recipe at a Christmas sweets swap hosted by a woman in my Bible study group. My family, friends and I think it's just divine. Even my dad, who's not big on candy, loves it. —Susan Wacek, Pleasanton, California

2/29

Cranberry-Pistachio Sticky Buns

Looking for a fantastic brunch item? Then try these ooey-gooey good sticky buns. They use frozen roll dough and couldn't be simpler to make. The buns rise overnight in the refrigerator, so you just need to bake them the next morning.—Athena Russell, Florence, South Carolina

3/29

Pistachio Cardamom Cheesecake

Cardamom has a sweet and warm taste that makes you think of clove, allspice and pepper all wrapped in one spice. Mix it with pistachios and add to cheesecake for a dessert that suggests the exotic flavors of India. —Carolyn Harkonnen, Loomis, California

4/29

Pistachio Ice Cream

This pistachio ice cream is the perfect indulgent treat to end the day with. Heavy whipping cream, milk and vanilla extract create a creamy, sweet and rich base, while crunchy pistachio pieces give a subtle nutty and earthy flavor. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan

5/29

Salmon with Horseradish Pistachio Crust

Impress everyone at your table with this elegant but easy salmon that's delicious and nutritious. You can substitute scallions for shallots if you like. —Linda Press Wolfe, Cross River, New York

6/29

I'm really not a salad person, but this unusual salad is actually worthy of bringing to a dinner party or even eating by itself. It's also super quick and easy to make. —Justine Kmiecik, Crestview, Florida

7/29

My mom made the best salads, and that's where my love for them started. I’ve turned her side salads into awesome meals with protein, veggies, nuts and cranberries. —Lindsay Tanner, Cathedral City, California

8/29

Casablanca Chutney Chicken

If you enjoy Indian food, you'll love this dish. An array of spices and dried fruit slow cook with boneless chicken thighs for an aromatic and satisfying meal. To make it complete, serve over Jasmine or Basmati rice. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

9/29

Spumoni Baked Alaska

For a dazzling yet refreshing end to a rich holiday meal, try this freezer finale. It's bound to garner oohs and aahs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

10/29

Raspberry Pistachio Thumbprints

Thumbprint cookies are a Christmas classic, and I especially like my updated version with pistachios. The rich, buttery bites are not only delicious, but they are also pretty enough to give for gifts—if you manage to share them! —Laura Murphy, Columbus, Mississippi

11/29

Rustic Nut Bars

My friends love crunching into the crust—so much like shortbread—and the wildly nutty topping of these chewy, gooey bars. —Barbara Driscoll, West Allis, Wisconsin

12/29

Orange-Pistachio Divinity

Old-fashioned divinity candy is even yummier with a hint of refreshing orange zest and bits of crunchy pistachios. Store-bought versions just can’t compare! —Lorri Reinhardt, Big Bend, Wisconsin

13/29

Pistachio Palmiers

My family loves palmiers from the bakery, so I created my own recipe. These have a Middle Eastern twist with the addition of rosewater, honey and a touch of cardamom. They are light and crisp—a special treat for the holidays. —Deborah Hinojosa, Saratoga, California

14/29

Pistachio-Crusted Fish Fillets

What a fresh, fun, absolutely delicious way to fix orange roughy in a hurry! Our taste panel relished the nutty crunch of the pistachio and parsley crust. A great way to bring more fish—and omega 3s—to the family table.Marie Stupin - Roanoke, Virginia

15/29

Lemony Vegetables and Pasta

My refreshing pasta dish comes together in 30 minutes. Its simplicity and flavor combinations are typical of authentic Italian cuisine. Buon appetito! —Erin Mylroie, Santa Clara, Utah

16/29

Chocolate Cannoli

We made two Italian treats into one with beautiful pizzelle cookies wrapped around a rich, chocolaty cannoli filling. The chopped pistachios are a pretty added touch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

17/29

Chocolate Mascarpone Truffles

These luscious, satiny truffles are so versatile...omit the pistachos and try all three variations listed below. —Diane Fuqua, Baltimore, Maryland

18/29

Cranberry Dark Chocolate Trail Mix

A close friend once gave me a jar of trail mix that was absolutely delicious. My re-creation comes pretty close to the original and is truly one of my favorite snacks! —Nancy Johnson, Laverne, Oklahoma

19/29

Pistachio Buttons

This cookie recipe makes a big batch, which comes in handy during the holidays. The green center adds a festive touch. —Nella Parker, Hersey, Michigan

20/29

Pomegranate Pistachio Crostini

Pomegranate seeds intrigued me, so I sliced French bread, smeared it with cream cheese and added seeds, pistachios and chocolate. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

21/29

Pistachio and Coconut Cake

This coconut cake is good any time of the year, but the color is perfect for St. Patrick's Day. The secret is adding instant pistachio pudding mix into the cake mix and the frosting. —Dora May Meredith, Rockford, Illinois

22/29

Cherry Pistachio Cookies

Dried cherries, crunchy nuts, bits of orange, white chocolate—there's a lot to love in this cookie! It's very different from any I've had before. —Kathy Harding, Richmond, Missouri

23/29

Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti

Chocolate, pistachios and cranberries make a dramatic, delicious trio. Introducing the cranberries to this recipe added tartness, texture and color, too. —Gilda Lester, Millsboro, Delaware

24/29

Honey-Nut Swirls

Puff pastry creates a quick and easy "dough" for pretty pinwheel-type cookies featuring two types of nuts. The flaky treats are hard to resist.—Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan

25/29

Shredded Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad

This salad is a simple and delicious way to eat your superfoods! It gets even better after it sits for a while in the fridge, so I make it ahead. I use my homemade honey mustard dressing, but any type works just fine. —Alexandra Weisser, New York, New York

26/29

Pistachio Thumbprints

These mild pistachio-flavored cookies disappear in a wink. —Liz Probelski, Port Washington, Wisconsin.

27/29

Pistachio Brownie Toffee Bars

These coveted brownie bars are homey and chocolaty awesome. They've been a sought-after staple on Christmas cookie trays for years. —Troy Shaw, Warrenton, Oregon

28/29

Summer Chicken Macaroni Salad

Sure, you have a macaroni salad recipe, but do you have a chicken macaroni salad? This one's filled with bright, fresh flavors, and it's hearty enough to stand on its own as a light meal.

29/29

Orange Pistachio Cookies

I had never tried pistachios until I visited a friend who served me these cookies. I was in love! I made the recipe my own, and now my family can't get enough of them. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

Originally Published: October 01, 2018