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You are here: Home / Seasonal and Holidays / Christmas Favorites / Dorie Greenspan’s Sweet and Spicy Cocktail Nuts

Dorie Greenspan’s Sweet and Spicy Cocktail Nuts

December 10, 2010 40 Comments

Sweet and Spicy Cocktail Nuts in a Clay Crock on a Red Plaid Napkin

I’ve been wanting to join this group for weeks now but it began to feel as if it was not meant to be. First, my copy of Dorie Greenspan’s ‘Around My French Table’ was the victim of a shipping snafu with Amazon so I missed the inaugural event. Once I finally received the book my schedule was most uncooperative; when I finally made a dish, the amazing Apple Cake; I missed the deadline for getting the post done and I admit, I sort of gave in to it not happening!

I’ve been a fan of Dorie’s for a long time. Dorie is a contributing editor at Bon Appetit magazine as well as the author of other books I’ve enjoyed so I really wanted to experience this journey and I have to give credit to Lora at www.cakeduchess.com and Mardi at www.eatlivetravelwrite.com for pushing me a bit this week. When I saw the recipe for Sweet and Spicy Cocktail Nuts, I knew my participation was doable. It’s easy, I had all the ingredients on hand and I needed an appetizer for a dinner I was planning on the day of this post…the stars were aligned and I was off to the kitchen!

This post will publish on my birthday…yes, two weeks and one day prior to the biggest birthday celebration of the year. Getting some friends together with me to celebrate in prime cocktail party season is quite the challenge but I’ve done it and we’ll be feasting on Julia Child’s version of Beef Bourguignon with roasted red potatoes. I had yet to even consider what I would do for appetizers and thought these would not only be easy but also perfect with a cheese course. I’m determined to keep this effort simple and enjoy the evening with friends.

I admit that I’ve done something similar in the past so had some experience with using egg whites and spices for a coating that is slowly baked on to the nuts – in my case walnuts, pecan and almonds (I threw in peanuts too but didn’t like them, so removed them from the mix). I also admit, I did derivate a bit from the instructions; hope Dorie won’t shun me forever but my schedule is so crazed I had to do something a bit quicker.

Dorie’s recipe called for coating the nuts with the egg whites, then mixing in the spices. I preferred using my mini Cuisinart and mixing the sugar, egg whites and spices til thoroughly blended. I was warned about making sure you let the mixture drain off of the nuts when moving them to the baking sheet but again I threw caution to the wind!

Around My French Table Book CoverI had doubled the recipe so I could pack some for gifts and I didn’t have either the patience or the time to manually take the step of letting the wet mixture drip off the nuts so I placed the entire mix of nuts, egg whites and spices onto the prepared pan. My caveat to insure success and not have a tray of baked egg white and spices? I removed them from the oven every ten minutes and mixed them up during the 30 minute cooking period.

They came out perfectly fine and most of the separation required was accomplished during that process. Probably ended up with a bit more coating per nut but I’m perfectly happy with that…mmmm, good.

Are they as photogenic as they should be; would they have looked differently if I had prepared them exactly per directions? I don’t know but I do know they taste great; a wonderful blend of toasted nuts, sugar and some subtle heat. They truly are addictive as my breakfast this morning will attest. Coffee and spiced nuts anyone?

Want to join in this adventure? Join French Fridays with Dorie and follow the group on Twitter.

Participating in this group is a great way to meet new people and support Dorie, who is loved and admired both from afar and in person (no, I have not been a lucky one…I have begged her to come to Denver; really we are NOT a cow town Dorie, promise!).

Sweet and Spicy Cocktail Nuts

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch cayenne or to taste
  • 1 large egg white
  • 2 cups nuts such as almonds, cashews or pecans, whole or halves

Instructions

Spicy Cocktail Nuts Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

2. Mix sugar and spices together in a small bowl.

3. In a large bowl, beat egg white lightly with a fork.

4. Toss nuts into egg white, stirring to coat. Then add sugar-and-spice mixture and continue to stir, evenly covering nuts.

5. Transfer nuts to baking sheet, letting excess liquid drip off first. 

6. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until nuts are browned and coating is dry. Cool 5 minutes, then transfer to a cutting board, break nuts apart, and let them cool completely. The nuts crisp as they cool.

Notes

Package in airtight jars and label. Nuts will keep at room temperature for about five days.

© Creative Culinary
Category: Christmas Favorites

« Caramel Sauce with Cinnamon and Rum
Beef Bourguignon, My Birthday with Julia Child and @ManPans Giveaway »

Comments

  1. dorie says

    February 5, 2011 at 6:04 am

    Don't ask me why it took months to get to this post, but I'm thinking better late than never. I love your photograph and your technique for working with the nuts. Hope you had a great birthday!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      February 7, 2011 at 10:59 am

      Thanks Dorie...that is was. A day cooking with you and Julia Childs? Perfect.
      Reply
  2. Andrea @ Fork Fingers Chopsticks says

    December 17, 2010 at 7:25 pm

    Belated birthday wishes. Hope it was as special as you! Loved your practical approach to the nut coating. Happy Holidays. - Andrea
    Reply
  3. Shaina says

    December 15, 2010 at 11:41 am

    I love spiced nuts, and they make a perfect gift!
    Reply
  4. saltyseattle says

    December 13, 2010 at 9:43 pm

    well even though you're late to the game, you're still clearly the best!
    Reply
  5. Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction says

    December 13, 2010 at 8:48 pm

    Yum... I've been seeing these nuts all over the place. They look fabulous, and your photo is stunning. I still need to get a copy of the book!
    Reply
  6. Nancy@acommunaltable says

    December 13, 2010 at 8:20 pm

    WOO HOO!!! These look wonderful and perfect for before dinner - especially when it's Julia's Beef Bourgignon!!! I definitely want to try your "technique" - always looking for ways to speed things up. Haven't gotten my copy of Dorie's book - it's on the "wish" list so hopefully Santa will have room in his bag for it!!
    Reply
  7. Cakelaw says

    December 12, 2010 at 2:38 am

    Happy birthday!! So glad you could join us. These nuts look fab - I made mine on Friday night, and loved them.
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 12, 2010 at 9:50 am

      Thank you! And...I do love them too; as testimony I have an empty bowl sitting next to my laptop even as I write!
      Reply
  8. SMITH BITES says

    December 11, 2010 at 8:25 pm

    Bravo Barb! I am soooooooo in love w/this book and have several recipes marked for after the first of the year - time just wasn't cooperating for me to start cooking from this book but it has been beside my bed for the last couple of months for perusing . . . trouble is - which recipe will be the maiden voyage???
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 12, 2010 at 9:41 am

      My maiden voyage was the Apple Cake and I sure loved it! Loving the book...wishing like you I had more time to actually make and not just peruse and then peruse some more!
      Reply
  9. jayne says

    December 11, 2010 at 5:16 am

    Happy Birthday (yesterday) and welcome! The nuts look wonderful! I haven't made them yet but am figuring I should go ahead and double the recipe when I do. And btw - Rhode Island, where I am, has the same "wise" law as Colorado regarding the taxes, so my Amazon account was closed, too. Crazy stuff.
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 11, 2010 at 12:59 pm

      It's lame isn't it? First, no one is going to report taxes due on every online sale they make and second...seems a bad time in our economy to stop small entrepreneurs from making some revenue. Do double the recipe. I had just a bit more than the two full bowls you see...they do seem to disappear VERY fast!
      Reply
  10. Cher says

    December 10, 2010 at 7:08 pm

    Welcome, welcome, welcome! Happy holidays. Beautiful photo -- makes me want to order a tin of those!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 11, 2010 at 12:57 pm

      Thank you...the photo Gods blessed me this day and Dorie did too...the nuts were NUTZ!
      Reply
  11. Lora @cakeduchess says

    December 10, 2010 at 6:41 pm

    Happy Birthday sweet Barb!!! Your nuts look delicious! I am so happy you joined FFwD! I joined b/c of Mardi. I hope you have a grand time tonight full of delicious food and tasty drinks!! Xoxo Lora
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 11, 2010 at 12:56 pm

      Thanks Lora...used to be Lorna; my error and I've fixed that. I'm a typoholic so please forgive me and blame it on the craziness of the day...or something! XOXO back to you.
      Reply
  12. StephIrey says

    December 10, 2010 at 6:17 pm

    Welcome to FFwD. I'm glad you were finally "pushed" into joining. Your nuts are quite beautiful and I don't think your "shortcuts" hurt at all. I too made a double batch and did not shake each nut and they turned out great. Happy Birthday and I hope the Beef Bourguignon is fabulous. Try Dorie's Beef Duabe next time...it's really amazing.
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 11, 2010 at 12:55 pm

      I will try Dorie's recipe next but truth is I want to do a post with the recipe and a contest for pans I used so Julia's it was! And thank you!
      Reply
  13. Nisrine | Dinners & Dreams says

    December 10, 2010 at 4:17 pm

    Barbara, I'm looking forward to making these but I'm afraid I would snack on them all day long. That would be alright I guess since nuts are good for us but still I don't know if I can coontrol myself in the presence of spiced nuts. Very very lovely!
    Reply
  14. Allison says

    December 10, 2010 at 1:23 pm

    What a lovely post! I really enjoy your writing. And you're right, I don't know what I enjoy more, the cooking, writing or connecting with other cookery bloggers!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 10, 2010 at 1:29 pm

      Thank you Allison! I've been putting recipes on a website for 15 years but without pictures and without writing so this is decidedly a different direction. More work but more connection with an audience too...so it's all good!
      Reply
  15. Summer says

    December 10, 2010 at 11:19 am

    So welcome to FFwD and a happy birthday with love! these nuts sure are gorgeous and am so missing them now! Loving ur delighful pics!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 10, 2010 at 1:28 pm

      Thank you so much!
      Reply
  16. Jessica of My Baking Heart says

    December 10, 2010 at 10:09 am

    Yay! Welcome to FFwD and Happy Birthday! I made these last week and I know your party guests will love them! :)
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 10, 2010 at 1:28 pm

      I am so proud of myself that there are some for them to enjoy. Planned ahead; put them out of sight. Now it's all your fault they are no longer out of mind!
      Reply
  17. chocolatechic says

    December 10, 2010 at 10:00 am

    I just dumped the entire mix on my pan too. Who has the time to separate every nut individually?
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 10, 2010 at 10:02 am

      Not me...and you don't have to! Munching on them for breakfast again...uh oh!
      Reply
  18. Candy says

    December 10, 2010 at 8:39 am

    Happy Birthday and welcome to ffwd!! I loved these too, and made them practically the same way. Your picture looks great and I loved your story. Have a wonderful evening!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 10, 2010 at 10:02 am

      Thank you...glad to be here; finally! They turned out great; so glad I took a leap of faith.
      Reply
  19. Paula says

    December 10, 2010 at 6:48 am

    They look amazing you rebel you! A very Happy Birthday to you. So nice that you could gather some close friends. Your dinner and the planned evening sound wonderful. I'm there in spirit raising a glass to you and stealing a handful or two of these nuts!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 10, 2010 at 10:03 am

      Oh yeah, that's me! Thanks Paula, so glad to get to know you better.
      Reply
  20. Renee (Kudos Kitchen) says

    December 10, 2010 at 6:46 am

    Wonderful post Barb. Glad you'll be cooking along. Your cocktail nuts look so tasty. Did I read it right? Today is your birthday??? HBTY!!!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 10, 2010 at 10:04 am

      Thanks Renee...I hope to try and keep up with the rest of you cooking fools! And yes, yes it is. And my camera just got here. Whoo hoo!
      Reply
  21. Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite says

    December 10, 2010 at 6:43 am

    Happy birthday Barb and WELCOME to FFWD! So glad you've joined! I look forward to using your tips on making these nuts next time I make them. They look scrumptious!
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 10, 2010 at 10:05 am

      Thanks Mardi...turned out great and so much easier too!
      Reply
  22. Jason Phelps says

    December 10, 2010 at 6:43 am

    I'll slide up to that bar at just a moment. Love the main photo. So much detail. Jason
    Reply
    • Creative Culinary says

      December 10, 2010 at 10:05 am

      Drinks are on me tonight...cheers!
      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. » Saturday Surfing says:
    December 11, 2010 at 11:56 am
    [...] Sweet and Spicy Cocktail Nuts [...]
    Reply
  2. Tweets that mention French Fridays with Dorie – Sweet and Spicy Cocktail Nuts — Creative Culinary - A Denver, Colorado Food Blog with Recipes and Wine Recommendations -- Topsy.com says:
    December 10, 2010 at 7:11 am
    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Barbara Kiebel and Paula Kelly-Bourque, Kris O'Connor. Kris O'Connor said: RT @vinoluci: French Fridays with Dorie – Sweet and Spicy Cocktail Nuts via Vino Luci Style - . http://tinyurl.com/2wlczz4 [...]
    Reply

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I’m Barbara Kiebel, the cook, photographer, author, and everyday eater at Creative Culinary. I hope you enjoy the recipes I prepare for family and friends and appreciate every one of you that come visit my virtual home! Read More…

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