Well, you could always send some to me! I'm as nutty a person as they come. Remember that walnuts and pecans can be interchanged in most recipes. You can add nuts to any basuic biscuit (cookie) recipe (or simply press one on top of a plain biscuit), or crush them and toss over a salad, or toss into a stirfry or fried rice, and sprinkle over ice cream. Or crush them and sprinkle over your morning muesli, or crush them and use to coat chicken or meat before frying. Crush them and add to your cobbler topping. Nut Butter Shell 2 handfuls of nuts (any kind, or a combination), put through a blender with 1 cup cold water, adding more water if needed to make a thick, creamy consistency. Excellent as a spread of rye bread or fruit and cinnamon bread. Store in the fridge for up to 3 months. Chocolate Hazelnut Slice 125g dark chocolate, melted 4 egg whites 1/4 cup castor sugar 1 cup packaged ground hazelnuts 2 tablespoons plain flour Line base and sides of a 20x30cm lamington tin with foil. Spread chocolate over the foil on base, refrigerate about 10 minutes. Beat egg whites in small bowl with electric mixer until soft peaks form, gradually add sugar, beating until dissolved between additions. Gently fold in nuts and flour- spread over chocolate base. Bake in moderate oven about 20 minutes or until firm, cool about 20 minutes. Spread with topping, bake further 15 minutes- cool in pan. Refrigerate several hours or until firm before cutting. Topping: 200g dark chocolate, chopped 125g butter 1/2 cup castor sugar 4 egg yolks 1 tablespoon Grand Marnier, optional Melt chocolate in heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water; cool 10 minutes. Beat butter and sugar in small bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well between additions. Add liqueur and chocolate, beat until just combined, gradually add sugar. Chicken with Hazelnuts 1 chicken breast, halved salt and pepper to taste 1 tablespoon flour 1 tablespoon oil 1 cup chicken stock 1/2 cup toasted hazelnuts 1/3 cup softened butter 2 tablespoons sour cream 1 tablespoon chopped parsley In a large frypan, heat oil. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and dust evenly with flour on both sides. Place chicken, skin side down, into the hot oil. Sear until golden brown and turn. Sear for 1 minute and add the stock, and let reduce. In a food processor, puree hazelnuts until finely ground, then add the butter and process until incorporated and smooth. Remove the puree and add to the frypan, a little at a time, stirring constantly. Reduce heat, add sour cream, and adjust the seasonings. Remove the chicken and place on a serving platter, top with the sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley. Candied Almonds 1 cup boiling water 1 1/2 cups sugar 3 cups almonds Combine all ingredients in frypan. Cook on medium heat until mixture begins to boil. Continue boiling, stirring constantly, and sugar will granulate again. Continue stirring until it begins to melt. Pour onto a greased baking tray or waxed paper, cool. Sugar-free Date and Nut Loaf 1 cup chopped dates 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 2 tablespoons butter 1 cup boiling water 1/2 cup chopped almonds or walnuts or pecans 2 cups self-raising flour 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 egg, well beaten Combine dates, bicarbonate of soda, butter and boiling water. Beat and mix in remaining ingredients. Turn into a greased loaf tin and bake in a moderate oven. Slice and serve with butter. Hazelnut and Dried Tomato Pesto 2 cups dried tomatoes 3 cloves garlic, peeled 1 1/4 cups olive oil 1/2 cup romano cheese 1/2 cup parmesan cheese 1/2 cup hazelnuts, roasted and coarsely chopped freshly ground black pepper to taste Blend tomatoes, garlic and olive oil in food processor until smooth. Add hazelnuts and cheese. Process to the consistency you prefer, smooth or slightly chunky. Season to taste with freshly ground black pepper. Great on pasta, vegetables, rice, potatoes, seafood, etc Pecan-Coated Salmon 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons melted butter 4 teaspoons honey 1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts 2 teaspoons chopped parsley 4 salmon fillets or steaks, thawed if necessary salt and pepper to taste lemon wedges Mix together mustard, butter and honey. Mix together bread crumbs, pecans and parsley. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Place on a lightly greased baking tray. Brush with mustard mixture. Press a little of the breadcrumb mixture on top. Bake at 200C for 10 minutes per 1.5cm of thickness, measured at thickest part, or until salmon just flakes when tested with a fork. Serve with lemon wedges. Pecan Jam 1 cup finely chopped pecans 1 cup sugar pinch salt 1 tablespoon ground ginger 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon cinnamon 60g margarine 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice Heat all ingredients together until sugar has melted and turns pale brown. Cool and bottle. Sweet Potato and Nut Pie 1 shortcrust pastry flan 225g sweet potato, boiled and mashed 110g butter 150g brown sugar 3 eggs, separated 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 14 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 110g whole pecans or halved walnuts 50ml dark rum, brandy or whisky Heat oven to 190C. Cream butter and sugar, add potatoes. Beat egg yolks and milk together. Add spices and half the nuts, roughly chopped. Beat in spirits. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form, gently fold into the mixture. Pour into pastry flan. Press remaining nuts around edge of pie. Bake about 40 minutes until pie has risen and is golden on top. Serve warm or hot with whipped cream. Baklava 4 cups chopped pistachio nuts and/or medium walnut pieces 1/4 cup sugar 500g commercial phyllo pastry 2 cups melted butter or margarine 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon pinch ground cloves Combine nuts, sugar, cloves, cinnamon. Preheat oven to 180C. Butter baking sheet well. Brush 5 sheets of phyllo pastry with melted butter. Place them on top of one another in pan. On top of the fifth layer spread a thick layer of nut mixture. On top of that, place 2 sheets of phyllo, each spread with melted butter. Using remaining phyllo sheets, spread a thin layer of nut mixture on each, reserving 3 plain sheets of pastry for topping, each one layered with melted butter. Liberally brush whole top with melted butter. With a sharp knife, cut the pastry into diamond shaped pieces prior to baking. Bake 45-60 minutes until golden. Syrup: In a saucepan, boil 2 cups sugar and 1 1/2 cups water until they begin to thicken and form a thread. Add 1/2 cup honey and boil. Cook over medium heat 20-25 minutes thick and syrupy. Add 2 tablespoons rose water or orange blossom water and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Skim foam off syrup and allow to cool. While pastry is still hot, pour syrup over it. Chicken Pistachio 2 cups chopped pistachios 1 egg beaten with 60ml milk 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1/2 cup flour Dredge 1 side of chicken in flour; shake off excess. Dip in egg mixture. Press into pistachio nuts. Sautin butter for 2 minutes nut side down. Turn and cook for 3 or 4 minutes or until done. Pistachio Ice Cream 2 cups heavy cream, chilled 1 cup whole milk, chilled 1 cup coarsely chopped pistachio nuts 1 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1 drop green food colouring (optional) Place ingredients in a mixing bowl and combine until well blended. Pour into freezer bowl, turn the machine on and let mix until mixture thickens, about 20-25 minutes. If desired, transfer ice cream to an airtight container and place in freezer until firm, about 2 hours. Walnut Cake 2 cups plain flour 2 cups sugar 250g tin crushed pineapple, undrained 2 eggs 2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups crushed walnuts (reserve 1/2 cup for top) Preheat oven to 180C. Mix all ingredients except the nuts together. Add 1 1/2 cups of nuts. Grease and flour a loaf tin and pour batter in, bake for 45 minutes. Allow cake to cool at least 20 minutes and remove from pan. Icing 2 cups icing sugar 125g butter 250g cream cheese reserved 1/2 cup walnuts Beat all ingredients except nuts together until very creamy. Spread over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with walnuts. Beans with Pine Nuts Slice beans as desired, or leave whole. Saute in a frypan with a little butter until tender, and sprinkle with pine-nuts. Cardamom Pine Nut Scones 1 1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup oat flour 1/2 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 2 teaspoons ground cardamom (or to taste) 1/4 cup pine nuts, ground 4 tablespoons butter 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1/2-1 cup cream as needed Combine dry dry ingredients. Add the pine nuts and the butter and cut into the flour mixture. Stir in the eggs and add just enough cream to make a stiff dough. Put the dough on a floured board and pat it out into a circle about 3mm thick. Cut into wedges and place wedges on a baking tray at least 2cm apart. Bake at 200C for 15 minutes or until nicely browned. Sprinkle with additional cardamom and serve with plum jam. Lamb With Spinach and Pine Nuts 1.5kg boneless lamb 1/3 cup olive oil 350g onions, diced large 4 teaspoons chopped garlic 2 teaspoons turmeric 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon cardamom 1 teaspoon chilli powder, or to taste 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 can tomatoes, drained and chopped 1 cup beef stock 1 bunch fresh spinach, washed and drained 1/2 cup yoghurt 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind salt to taste 1/4 cup pine nuts, roasted Sear lamb in the olive oil, add the onions, saute for 2 minutes, then add the garlic and saute it for 1 minute. Add in the turmeric, nutmeg, cardamom, chilli powder and cinnamon and saute the mixture for 1-2 minutes more, being careful not to burn the onions or garlic. Add tomatoes and stock and stir. Cover the dish and bake at 180C for about 1 hour, until the meat is tender and begins to break up. Remove the dish from the oven and add the spinach, stirring until the spinach is wilted and blended in. Allow the stew to cool slightly. Add the yoghurt, lemon peel and salt to taste. Sprinkle with roasted pine nuts. Serve with rice. Beans with Pine Nuts Slice beans as desired, or leave whole. Saute in a frypan with a little butter until tender, and sprinkle with pine-nuts.

Remember, in Australia, a biscuit is your cookie! Three recipes for you to consider. Date Biscuits 1/2 cup margarine 1/2 cup raw sugar [if you can't get raw sugar, use white sugar and substitute a tablespoon or two of brown sugar - or just use white sugar] 1 egg grated rind of 2 lemons 1 1/2 cups self raising flour 1 cup flaky bran 2 teaspoons cinnamon 2 cups chopped dates Combine margarine and sugar, mix in the egg and lemon rind. Stir in the flour, bran, cinnamon and dates. Mix well. Shape into balls and flatten onto a greased oven tray. Bake at 150C for 20-25 minutes. Variations: Add 1/2 cup preserved ginger and a few chopped walnuts if desired. Substitute the flour and bran with 1 cup self raising flour and 1 1/2 cups of oatbran. Date and Nut Biscuits 125g butter 125g brown sugar 3/4 cup nuts and dates mixed 1 cup self raising flour 1 egg, beaten 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Boil together for 5 minutes. When cool, add nuts and dates, flour, egg and vanilla. Mix all together, put into a slab tin and bake 20 minutes. Cut while warm. [A slab tin is like your jelly-roll tin.] Date and Peanut Specials 90g butter 1 tablespoon peanut butter 125g brown sugar 3/4 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1 egg 1 cup roughly chopped dates 1 1/2 cups self raising flour Cream together the butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and spices. Beat in the egg. Add the dates and mix to a stiff dough with the flour. Put teaspoonfuls onto ungreased oven trays and bake at 200C until tinted, about 12 minutes. If liked, when cold drizzle over with thin lemon icing and decorate with pieces of glace cherries.

Suzie's right - you can find lots of dairy-free recipes in every cookbook. There's also many great books that address food allergies, which include dairy-free recipes, such as: 1. "The Complete Food Allergy Cookbook" by Marilyn Gioannini 2. "The Allergy Self-help Cookbook" by Marjorie Hurt Jones, R.N. 3. "Not Milk... NUT MILKS!" by Candia Lea Cole Have you checked your local library for cookbooks? That's a good place to start. There are also very good substitutes you should apprise yourself of. Having a lactose intolerant son and granddaughter, I've been there, done that.....and lived through it. A quick look in my recipe collection will find lots of dairy-free recipes I've found, or developed, over the years from lots of sources. We've used several brands of whey-based milk substitute products for over 25 years, which is a low-lactose product that works like milk. It was suggested by my son's doctor, and we've used it ever since because it's much cheaper than regular milk. Another thing to point out about lactose intolerance, most people can consume some foods containing lactose in small quantities. Their bodies still can convert small amounts - how much and how often is an individual thing. The general rule - the more fat there is in a dairy product, the less lactose there is. So you'll find most people can consume cookies, cake, or other baked good made with butter, because it's very low in lactose, as are other high fat products, like cream cheese, etc. These are things I discovered on my own doing a lot of research on the subject of lactose intolerance. Cultured dairy products (kefir, yogurt, quark, etc.) are also very low in lactose (especially if you make them at home and control the fermentation process). Neither my son or granddaughter have a problem using my homemade kefir. Kefir fermentation converts most of the lactose in ordinary milk into far more easily digested components. The remaining lactose content is so low that most otherwise lactose-intolerant people find that, through kefir, they can enjoy milk again. I use kefir as a substitute for buttermilk, cream cheese, and sour cream. -Grainlady Here is a link that might be useful: Lactose Percentages of Foods

Here is one that I found but haven't tried it yet. Through trial and error I came up with a great yeast free recipe for bread that all my friends have borrowed. It is easy to make with no other equipment than a wooden spoon and a bowl, and a good baking sheet (I prefer the ones that are airfilled so that the bottom doesn't burn). I'm in Canada and use 8oz= Cup =240ml and my teaspoon=5ml." Ingredients 3 Cups whole wheat flour (preferably stone ground) 4 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp salt 1 1/2 Cups liquid (I use rice milk or water but it works with any liquid) 1/4 Cup liquid fat (I've used melted milk free margarine but now I use olive oil) Mix dry ingredients. Do not sift the flour! Mix liquids and add to dry. Stir until there is no more dry flour. Shape into a ball or an oval, with oiled hands. Place on clean baking sheet. Bake for 40 minutes at 400F/200C. "I often rub the dough ball with virgin olive oil and sprinkle sea salt and oregano for a foccacia flavor. For tea time, I add a tsp. Rapadura sugar which is pure cane sugar. The liquid can be replaced for orange or other fruit juice if the bread is to be used for teatime and you can even add dried chopped fruits. For a savory bread the liquid can be tomato juice and you can add chopped sundried tomatoes to the dough. Sprinkling of seeds in the dough or on top of the bread is also possible.