Thursday, November 08, 2012

Nuts in My Mouth (keepin' it sweet & spicy!)

Holy Christmas batman!

...oh, and hello!...

I've been catching up with all my blog reading and blog writing and photography editing and pinterest ogling and everything else that keeps my computer turned on and running 12 hours a day and I am floored by all the Christmas that has infiltrated my computer already!


It's only the first real week of November and already it's like Christmas has puked all over my computer. Luckily, Christmas is puke that I welcome with open arms. And an open mouth!

That's right. I love me some Christmas. And I hold no shame when I say I am pleased as a pickle in punch at a party to put my tree up the day after Halloween. 

It isn't about the gifts - though there is nothing better than sitting in the dark with the glow of the tree lights radiating off beautifully wrapped presents. It isn't about the Jesus - I'm no Christian, swear to god. And it's definitely not about the fruit cake - blech! It's about the feeling that comes with the season.


The warm sparkle that flurries inside me and pours out of the shops and garland and cookies and crafts and music. It's about warm fires, glitter and Garfield's Christmas Special. 

BTW - I haven't been able to catch that particular show the past couple of years - if anyone has a copy I'd kill for it. Or at the very least send you a brilliant thank you card. 

Yes. I love me some Christmas.

Which is why I'm throwing a holiday recipe at you at the beginning of November. Because while John won't let me put the tree up until December, I can still make holiday friendly food. 

Sweet & Spicy Nuts
(printable recipe) - serves 6.



Ingredients:

2 C Mixed Nuts - I like cashews, hazelnuts, almonds, pecans and walnuts.
1/2 C Brown Sugar.
1 Tbsp Cayenne Pepper.
1 Tbsp Ground Cinnamon.
1 Tsp Salt.
1 Tsp Pure Vanilla Extract.
1 Egg White.
1 Tbsp Water.

What to Do:

Pre-heat your oven to 300 degrees F.

As your oven heats, gently beat the egg, water and vanilla together until lightly frothy.

In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients, save for the nuts.

Dump the nuts into the egg wash and then add the dry stuff. Mix well.

Pour onto a baking sheet and spread out so the nuts are one layer.

Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir. 

Allow to cool completely - stirring every once in a while to ensure even coating of the sugar/spice mixture.

 Eat.

Do you love Christmas? Loathe it? What about it? 
 Is it too early to start celebrating?


Photobucket

10 comments:

  1. Sacrilege! Fruit cake is the *only* good thing about Christmas! It's definitely not my favourite holiday....so much work for so little gain. I will put my tree up after December hits and there is snow on the ground. Not before. If it doesn't snow, well, maybe we'll just go without a tree. Which is fine with me! Cuz I hate snow more than I dislike Christmas.

    However, your nuts recipe looks divine! Perfect for snacking in front of the TV on those cold winter evenings. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah! I think the entire point of me moving out here was so I COULD have snow at Christmas! hahaha

      Xo, K.

      Delete
  2. I love sitting in the dark with only the christmas lights on too (in suductive poses of course). I also love roasting marshmallows in the fireplace on straightened coat hangers. And yes fruitcake is best frozen, then used as a weapon.

    XOXO

    -h

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you would.

      p.s. make sure you use a real (not artificial store bought) log - apparently they're loaded with chemicals. mmmm maybe we can do this when you're here for Christmas!

      xo, K.

      Delete
  3. Used to loath it, now I'm indifferent. But we always make spiny nuts at Christmas and drink too much. Both really good things :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nice nuts Kris! aha
    I didn't know you were a fellow Canadian!? I like you even more now!

    P.S - I start talking about the holidays on Nov 1st so no worries ;)

    Alex @iadorefood

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. we canadian food bloggers gotta stick together sister! even on matters of Nov 1 Christmas chat. I'm with ya!

      K.

      Delete
  5. What I love about Christmas: The prompt to get creative with gifts, the smell of a christmas tree, and tasty treats.
    What I loath about Christmas: All the stuff, and unspoken rules about gifts to who and what. IF I could, I would request no junk, only hand made goodness. But, sometimes those dollar store surprise me:)

    Thanks for the tasty nuts recipe:)

    ReplyDelete