Sweet and Spicy Nuts

My Sweet and Spicy Nuts are a quick and delicious snack to enjoy on your own, or serve to friends.   The best part is that these flavorful nuts can be made in less than 20 minutes and are sure to be a hit among guests. 

These nuts are incredibly addicting.  When you take the first bite, the sweetness hits your tongue. As you continue the salt and nut flavor strike followed by the heat from the pepper that keeps you going back for more. 

The another great thing about this recipe is you only need a few pantry staples. Six ingredients come together to give a very satisfying snack.  Using a large skillet to toast the nuts is so much quicker than toasting the nuts in the oven on a baking sheet.

Sweet and Spicy Holiday Nuts

We are in the midst of winter here on the northern prairies.  Snow and frost have coated everything.  On a crisp clear day I feel as if I’m living in a winter wonderland.  That winter wonderland calls for traditional winter wonderland snacks  like hot beverages like cocoa, mulled wine and comfort food.

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Nuts are a staple in the grocery stores this time of year.   I think it is a hold over from the past when we nuts were one of the few plant proteins available in the winter.   I guess you could say nuts are a part of eating seasonally.

Today, nuts are available in bulk at most of the local grocery stores. Nutcrackers both decorative and utilitarian are on display to make everyone’s snacking easier.  Nutcrackers are so prolific, I ran into a lady at a craft store who asked why nutcrackers were named nutcrackers.   My husband and I swallowed our laughter and told her how they are used to crack nuts.

I don’t bother buying nuts in the shell though.  I can’t be bothered and bits and pieces of shell get everywhere or I accidentally bite into one and lose my appetite. The nutcrackers in my house during the holidays are purely decorative.

When I was still in school I decided to make these as a christmas gift for my brother and brother-in-law.   Nuts are a holiday favorite and adding some extra sugar and spice makes this healthy snack a little more special.  Several pounds of mixed nuts did not last very long that year!

Gluten Free Snack

Even if you are stumbling across this recipe in the midst of summer time don’t write it off.  Purchasing overpriced airport food is not an attractive option when I travel. Since I eat gluten free my options are limited.   I made these up to have a quick snack for the plane on a recent work trip when the weather was approaching triple digit temperatures. I shared with my co-worker in the seat next to me.  He would have eaten my entire snack stash if I let him.  He couldn’t believe I made the tasty morsels at home .

I toast the nuts in a large skillet,  then add some butter and let it melt.  Next I add the Worcestershire sauce, sugar and spices.  When everything is well coated, I spread the nuts out on a baking sheet or waxed paper to cool.  
Spicy and sweet nuts are ridiculously easy. Try this recipe for your next gathering – it is sure to be a hit!

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