CANNOT RESIST CANDIED NUT MIX
Last week, while in a health food store, and suffering with the munchies, Jack and I picked up a bag of candied nuts. Halfway into the bag I found that they had sugar as an ingredient.
As I was scolding myself for not looking, I made up my mind right then and there that I was going to make some candied nuts that Jack and I could eat.
Fast-forward to today: Jack came home from school and immediately upon arriving asked for a smoothie. I offered him something different. He was a bit indecisive as to whether he liked my version of candied nuts, however, I did have to bribe him to walk away from them AND I caught him sneaking back into the kitchen for more. I think I have a success on my hands. In fact, I'm sitting here plotting how I can get back in the kitchen for a few more without him knowing.
I have to confess that I googled recipes for candied, glazed, and roasted nuts prior to settling on this method of preparation. And....once I found something that was along the lines of what I was looking for, not only did I revamp the spices that were used, I switched out the SUGAR for much more suitable organic local honey AND I added even more nutrition by including seeds: chia, flax, and sesame to be exact.
I mean really - if you're going to have a snack, why not make it as nutritious as you possibly can, right? ♥ I love it when you all agree with me.
INGREDIENTS:
2 1/4 cups of blended nuts I used walnuts, cashews and pecans as that is what I had on hand
2 Tablespoons of unsalted organic butter
2 Tablespoons of Honey, local and organic and raw if you can
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 Tablespoon EACH: Chia Seeds, Flax Seeds, and Sesame Seeds
DIRECTIONS:
Combine the butter, honey, salt, paprika, chili powder, cinnamon, and cumin in a heavy bottom saute pan. Heat over medium heat until the butter is melted and your mixture is well combined. Add in the nuts, and stir and coat for about 5 - 6 minutes until the nuts are fragrant. Remove from the pan and place on a piece of parchment paper to cool.
Then enjoy.