santa’s spicy nuts

“A fanatic is a nut who has something to believe in.” – Dean Koontz

Having never made spiced nuts before, this year it seemed like a good idea to give them a try, and to then gift the results to a (lucky?) few…..I think they are pretty darn tasty, not to mention a nice change from all those holiday sweets.

Santa’s Spicy Nuts (With Rosemary & Brown Sugar)

2 tbsp butter
1 cup walnuts
1 cup pecans
1 cup almonds, lightly toasted

3 tbsp brown sugar
1 ½ tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
2 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp chili powder
¾ tsp salt
¼ tsp fresh cracked black pepper
¼ tsp cinnamon

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp tabasco sauce

Line a cookie sheet with a sheet of parchment paper and set aside. Pre measure all dry ingredients into a small bowl and combine. Melt butter over medium heat in a 12” skillet. Add walnuts and pecans while gently stirring, for 3 minutes. Add almonds and continue stirring for another 2 minutes. Sprinkle nuts with dry ingredient mixture, as well as the Worcestershire and tobasco sauces. Continue to cook, gently stirring, for another 2 minutes. Pour nuts out onto cookie sheet and allow to cool. Store nuts in an airtight container. If gifting them to others, distribute into plastic bags or lidded jars.