Even though we tend to stuff ourselves to the gills during the holidays it’s always nice to have some snacks to nibble and nosh on. The hors d’oeuvres line-up just wouldn’t be right without a bowl of mixed nuts. Here’s the perfect alternative to the plain salt roasted variety – a nice sweet and spicy mix.

Spiced Nuts

1 large egg white
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1-3/4 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2-1/2 cups pecan halves or assorted nuts, such as cashews, walnuts or almonds

Heat oven to 300 degrees. Beat egg white until soft and foamy. Combine all remaining ingredients except nuts; whisk into egg white. Stir in nuts until well coated; spread mixture in single layer onto an ungreased baking pan.

Bake nuts for 15 minutes, then remove from oven. Using a metal spatula, toss, stir and separate nuts. Reduce oven temperature to 250 degrees and return nuts to bake until medium brown, about 10 minutes.

Remove from oven; toss, and stir again. Place baking pan on wire rack to cool. Break up any nuts that stick together.

Store in an airtight container up to two weeks.

Makes 2-1/2 cups.

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“Get those skinny ones out of here and bring in the short, pudgy ones!”

Would that not be great if that is what we heard at Parisian fashion shows? Sigh, how life for women would change. But, alas, I speak not of fashion models, the plump beauties I’m talking about are Spanish Marcona almonds. These are the voluptuous Rubenesque sister of the regular almonds of which we are all familiar, and are blanched to reveal their creamy white skin. They also contain a higher fat content making them velvety and mild.

Long preferred as the almond of choice by chefs, Marconas are also quickly becoming the hot item to serve at swanky bars for noshing enjoyment. And the fat lady sings.

Oh, and get this, there is as much linoleic acid – an essential fatty acid good for your heart and circulation – in two almonds as there is in two and a half pints of milk! That just makes my heart go pitter patter.

Try this delicious sounding recipe for Spanish Tortilla with Almond Romesco from MyRecipes.

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