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Spicy Mixed Nuts
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Spicy Mixed Nuts

A deliciously fiery cocktail appetizer and snack
Course Snack
Keyword Cayenne Pepper
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 330kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place a big baking tray in an oven set to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. You’re going to be roasting these nuts hot and fast.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients except the salt and lime juice. You need to give the nuts a thorough stir so that they all get coated by the oil and spices.
  • Once the oven is hot, spread the nuts in a single layer on the tray. They’ll sizzle a bit as the oil hits that tray. Good.
  • Bake for five minutes and then stir the nuts so that they get turned on the tray. Bake for another five minutes.
  • It’s now that you want to try a few. You want a good crunch when you bite into them. But – and this matters – you don’t want to over-roast them. This depends on how fresh the nuts are and how oily. It’s not an exact science. If you think the nuts are still too soft, bake them for another few minutes. It’s a bake and test process. Also bear in mind that the nuts will continue to ‘crisp’ a little as they cool after their roasting.
  • When you’re happy with the crunch from your bake-and-test, remove them from the oven and quickly pour the lime juice over them as they sit on the hot tray. Stir the nuts so that all get a coating of the lime juice.
  • Now add the salt and stir again. The whole point of adding the lime juice prior is to give the salt something to cling to.
  • Now tip the nuts into a steel colander and give them a quick shake. Why? This will knock off any excess spices and salt and leave you with nuts that are crunchy, pretty dry but not arid, and deeply flavored – rather than oily and still coated in slightly gritty, roasted spices.
  • Allow the nuts to cool in the colander. Once that happens, taste a few to check for saltiness. By all means add some more salt according to your taste. Serve in small bowls.

Nutrition

Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 879mg | Potassium: 317mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 215IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg