Color Me Domestic - Nutty Times

With cocktail parties, threats of huge storms and last minute shopping, this time of year always gets a little nuts. Pun intended. 

A great snack for guests to munch on, pack along in case you get snowed in and on-the-go at the mall are nuts. A little baggy of almonds goes a long way! But, a batch of Ina Garten's  Chipotle and Rosemary Roasted Nuts goes even further.

Buying the nuts can get a bit expensive but if you buy them in the bulk section of your local store then you can get just the amount you need and not over buy.

Chipotle and Rosemary Roasted Nuts

Ingredients

Vegetable Oil (3+ tbsp)

3 cups whole cashews

2 cups walnut halves

2 cups pecan halves

1/2 cup whole almonds

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

3 tbsp fresh squeezed OJ

2 tsp ground chipotle powder

4 tbsp minced fresh roasemary - divided

kosher salt

Process

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Brush a rimmed sheet pan generously with vegetable oil. Combine all nuts, another tbsp of oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, OJ and chipotle powder on the sheet pan, tossing with your hands to coat the nuts evenly.

Try to wash hands but maybe just wipe off as much as you can onto paper towel.

Sprinkle 2 tbsp of the rosemary and 2 teaspoons of salt and toss again.

Repeat trying to clean hands.

Roast the nuts for 25 minutes tossing twice.

Remove from the oven and add the other 2 tbsp of the rosemary and 2 teaspoons of salt. Toss again.

Set aside to cool and mix them occasionally to prevent clumps.

Store in an airtight container for a few days... or eat them right away!

Notes

This makes a lot of nuts - you can cut it all in half if you'd like. But, just plan to snack on them for a few days!

You can really use any kind of unsalted & raw nuts you want. The combo above is just the suggested amount. You'll need about a pound total.

If you don't have chipotle powder, you can use chili powder and paprika or a BBQ blend of spices.

These nuts are smokey, savory and sweet all at the same time making them great appetizers for, say, a cookie exchange!