Pounded walnuts and Parmesan paste

Serves 4

Spread the paste thickly on crispy toast (Lisa Barber)

Walnuts are beautiful at this time of year; creamy and sweet. I use them as often as I can, in tarts, cakes, salads and in this creamy delicious paste. I like it best on toast – it's a favourite snack of mine. All nuts spoil easily, so it is best to buy them in small quantities, in their shells, and then shell them as and when you need them.

1 clove of garlic, peeled
3 anchovy fillets
A good pinch of sea salt
20 young shelled nuts
100g/31/2oz Parmesan
2 tbsp good-quality red-wine vinegar
120ml/4fl oz extra-virgin olive oil

I make this paste with a pestle and mortar– I find the texture far nicer than if it's puréed in a blender. Place the garlic and anchovies into the mortar and pound until smooth. A

dd a pinch of salt and a third of the walnuts, then pound again until smooth. Add the remaining walnuts and Parmesan and pound until they are broken and textured. Add the vinegar and stir in the olive oil. Taste, adjust the seasoning, and serve.