Cinnamon Raisin Almond Walnut Butter Food

CINNAMON-RAISIN ALMOND-WALNUT BUTTER

Steps:

• Toast 3/4 cup walnuts on a baking sheet at 350 degrees F until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. While the walnuts are warm, make Basic Almond Butter, using 3/4 cup almonds and the walnuts and using only 1 teaspoon vegetable oil. Add 1/4 cup raisins and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon and process until the raisins are finely chopped.

SAGE-WALNUT BUTTER

Steps:

• Combine 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 teaspoons honey and a bay leaf in a saucepan over medium-high heat; cook until syrupy, 5 minutes. Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then add 1/3 cup sage leaves and 1 cup chopped walnuts; cook 3 minutes. Add 1 cup pasta-cooking water and cook until reduced by half, 2 minutes. Toss with 1 pound cooked tortellini, some grated parmesan and salt. Drizzle with the balsamic syrup.

PASTA WITH CARROT-CINNAMON BUTTER

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside. Reserve the pot.
• Meanwhile, pulse the carrots, cinnamon, lemon zest and juice, 1 tablespoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a food processor, stopping and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until very finely chopped. Add the butter and continue to process, stopping and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until well combined.
• Melt 4 tablespoons of the carrot-cinnamon butter in the reserved pasta pot over medium heat. Add the cooked pasta and stir until combined, thinning it out with the reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time if needed. Divide among plates and season with salt and pepper if desired.
• Tightly wrap the remaining carrot-cinnamon butter in plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months.