Sunday, November 11, 2012

Savory and Spicy Nuts



The last few evenings in the Bay Area have been extremely chilly.  It is great for staying inside with a roaring fire and a lovely glass of cabernet sauvignon along with watching a great movie.  Hubby and I certainly enjoy our television time.  I must admit that BravoTv captures the majority of our time.

Yes, hubby enjoys watching the Real Housewives series with me, with the exception of one city which will remain nameless.  I on the other hand love all cities.  Bravo certainly has a knack for casting, editing, and storytelling with real people or shall I say hiring an entertaining cast of characters. Several co-workers are fascinated by this series along with me.  Sometimes when others who don’t engage in this addiction hear us talk, they think we are talking about people we really know.  In a way, we do know them.  Smile.  It is simply a great escape from the day to day stresses.

While sitting watching television there is nothing better than a tasty crunchy snack.  Recently I came across this recipe for this savory and spicy nut snack and knew it had to be created soon.  The recipe could not have been easier and the majority of the ingredients most folks probably already have in their pantry.  If not, a quick stop to the grocery store would do the trick.  I changed up the recipe slightly by combining macadamia nuts along with the pecans and increasing the garlic powder and dried mustard requirements to kick up the flavors.  The outcome is an addictive snack that I had to put some “portion controls” on by serving in a small bowl – otherwise I would eat more than I needed.  Enjoy this simply sublime snack!


Savory and Spicy Nuts

2 cups pecan halves
2 cups macadamia nuts
5 tablespoons butter, melted
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 ¼ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground mustard
½ teaspoon Tabasco sauce, or to taste
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

Place the nuts in a large mixing bowl.  In another bowl whisk together the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder, ground mustard, Tabasco and cayenne.  Pour the butter mixture over the nuts and stir until well combined.  Taste a nut and add more Tabasco or cayenne if desired.

Arrange the nuts on a large sheet pan and bake for 20 to 22 minutes until toasted and lightly browned, stirring halfway during cooking time to prevent burning  Remove from the oven and cool completely, tossing occasionally, before transferring to an airtight container.


13 comments:

  1. What a perfect snack for fall tv watching! I love the savory and spicy flavors you added!

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  2. Yum! The picture you paint of the fireplace with some nice wine sounds lovely! I too am sitting in front of a fire, only I am on the east coast and I don't have this savory, spicy treat... yet!

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  3. I think it's adorable that your husband like the Real Housewives! Maybe he's too preoccupied with all the fabulous food you serve whilst watching? :D

    These nuts look sooo delicious! I love crunchy, spicy anything!

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  4. Love spicy and savory nuts as snacks, these would be a perfect gift for holiday giving!

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  5. Hehehe, snacking-while-watching tv is one of my vices. Before kids, we did a lot of that - and I loved it! Now, we're lucky if we can finish one show in three hours (thank god for PVR). I can see myself snacking on these savory nut while watching one of my fave shows, Survivor! Oooh yeah!

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  6. This time of year I love making flavored nuts from candied to savory. They're great for parties as to give as gifts. This sounds like a delicious recipe that I will be sure to try.

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  7. I love that your husband watches Real Housewives with you! I'm totally addicted to all of them too. These nuts look like the perfect snack. I'm thinking that they would be a great gift, in a beautiful jar. Thanks for sharing!

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  8. I always serve nuts for get-togethers, and love this combo of seasonings! Saving this one...

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  9. These nuts are the perfect snack for an episode, or 2(!) of The Real Housewives and I'm sure other shows as well;-) Glad you are joining us Lisa;-)

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  10. Nuts are my go-to snack and I can see how your recipe would quickly become an addiction for me! The Real Housewives have been one of my vices for the past few years now. How can you not get sucked in to all of the juicy drama? Have a great week, Lisa!

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  11. I don't think I can even watch tv without having a snack--these would be perfect. I love the garlic in this and I'm intrigued by the Worcestershire. Must try soon. :)

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  12. I can't stop smiling. Bravo TV indeed knows how to keep their viewers, and by that I mean even my hubby into the Housewife series.
    I have no comments about the shows since I hardly have time to watch them, but I hear some are relly hilarious.
    I should probably make some nuts for my Hawaii Five O tv series ;)

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