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Are You Nuts?

Oh yes we are for these! I have already made 3 batches and each makes a lot. Every time I go fill a gift basket with a jar of these, B. comes down fron his study and starts munching claiming he needs the energy…160 research papers and 160 finals and we are leaving on Thursday! He has proclaimed himself the official Santa Gift Basket Tester…good thing we’ll be walking a lot while in France

The recipe from these is straight out of Real Simple magazine and I only did minor alterations to the ingredients and process.

Spiced Mixed Nuts, adapted from Real Simple

2 large egg whites
2/3 cup sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
6 cups mixed nuts (I used almonds and peanuts but any combination of untoasted walnuts, pecans, cashews, and pistachios works great)
1/4 cup (½ stick) butter, melted

Preheat oven to 300° F. Line 2 large baking sheets with foil or parchment. Grease lightly and set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy. Gradually add the sugar, beating to a loose, meringue like texture. Beat in the cinnamon, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cayenne, and salt. Add the nuts and butter and stir well to coat evenly.Divide the nuts between the baking sheets, spreading evenly in a single layer. Roast for 30 to 40 minutes to a golden brown (do not allow the nuts to darken too much), rotating the sheets during cooking for even roasting. Line a work surface with foil or parchment.After removing the nuts from oven, immediately slide them onto the foil or parchment. Cool completely. Store, refrigerated, in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

I want to apologize if my posts are short and not filled with interesting memories or tidbits but I reserve that for the coming weeks : thursday we are going to France for 3 weeks, spending Christmas and New Years with my family. There will be a lot of posts about our traditions, our menus and the excellent chefs and meals in my family. One example, when I called my parents yesterday my mom was at a neighbor’s house preparing foie gras….and when I called back she was in the finishing phase of her onion and fig confit….and my brother called me requesting that I made Yule logs for New Years and by the way one of the guys attending that dinner is trying to get a star on the Michelin guide for his own restaurant…talk about pressure!!

I will post as much as I can, promise…!

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Comments


Anonymous December 13, 2006 um 12:48 am

oh yum! To a serious nut-love like me, this would be the ultimate addition to an xmas food basket!! I’d be nuts not to give these a try!


Mrs. K December 13, 2006 um 3:43 am

I liked the title!
Spiced nuts look yummy. I have tried a spiced nuts recipe from one of my friends. It was totally different. I lost that recipe. Will try this recipe.


Meeta December 13, 2006 um 6:35 am

This comment has been removed by the author.


Anonymous December 13, 2006 um 10:42 am

This looks wonderful stuff that you can’t stop eating/munching on.
Can’t wait to hear the France stories.


Patricia Scarpin December 13, 2006 um 12:19 pm

Helene, everything you post and write about is delicious, there’s no need to apologize!

I can only imagine the giant amount of things you still have to prepare before traveling.

These nuts are amazing.

I wish you’d post a picture of one of the lovely gift baskets you’ve been putting together. ;D


Lis December 13, 2006 um 4:12 pm

You make me miss nuts even more! But at the very least, if I can look at beautiful nuts prepared by you then I’ll be okay 😉

I like the thought of how this would taste.. maybe I shouldn’t be selfish and make some for Wayne as he’s a major nut addict himself!

Never apologize – we all understand how stressed you must be about getting ready – just concentrate on getting there, relaxing and having fun with your family!! *hugs*


Anonymous December 13, 2006 um 8:43 pm

J’adore ce genre de snack! Je retiens cette super idee. Et jolie photo!


Teashionista December 13, 2006 um 11:28 pm

Those look wonderful! What a great idea for the Xmas basket (wrapped in cellophane and tied with a bright red cord) 🙂


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