The holiday season is fast approaching and that means plenty of entertaining.  It’s always good to keep some homemade snacks on hand for company or to take along as a hostess gift when visiting family and friends.  This recipe is a simple way to dress up mixed nuts for a salty, sweet and savory snack you can make over and over again.  A surprising hint of rosemary provides a contrasting flavor and slightly piney aroma that’s reminiscent of the holidays.

SWEET & SAVORY PARTY NUTS

Ingredients

• 4 Cups Salted Mixed Nuts
• 1/4 Cup Sugar
• 3 Tbs. Packed Light Brown Sugar
• 2 Tsp. Fresh Rosemary, Finely Chopped
• 1 Tsp. Onion Powder
• 1 Tsp. Kosher Salt
• 1/2 Tsp. Ground Ginger
• 1/2 Tsp. Fresh Grated Nutmeg
• 1/4 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper
• 1 Egg White
• 2 Tsp. Water

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
• In a medium bowl, combine sugar, brown sugar, rosemary, onion powder, salt, ginger, nutmeg and pepper.  Mix well with a spoon.
• In a separate bowl whisk together egg white and water until frothy.
• Add nuts to the egg white mixture and toss well to evenly coat.
• Pour nuts into spice mixture and mix well to evenly coat nuts with sugar and spices.
• Spray a 12-inch cast iron pan with cooking spray and pour nut mixture into it.
• Bake at 275 for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
• Remove nuts from oven and pour out onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.  Allow to cool fully.
• Break up nuts and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

These nuts were a huge hit at trivia night recently.  I know we’ll make them often over the next few months with all we have going on.  Don’t have a cast iron pan?  Shame on you!  But you can definitely make these on a heavy non-stick baking sheet.  Also think about varying the herbs and/or nuts to your liking.  I’ve seen similar receipts with just pecans or cashews.  The addition of a little citrus zest would also bring another great flavor element.  Give them a try and tell me what you think.  Dig in!