Sweet & Savory Mixed Nuts

Every year my neighborhood gets together and does a progressive Christmas dinner the first weekend in December.  Appetizers at one house, soup and sandwiches at another house (although one year we did pastas!) and desserts at a third house.  Everyone decorates their houses and all the lights are on and we visit and eat and laugh!  It is fairly low key and a great chance for everyone to relax without the stress of gifts or family and just catch up and have a great time.  This year, now that our house is mostly done (our dining room chairs were delayed in delivery so we won’t have any until Monday-oops!) I finally get to host part of the dinner!  The previous four years of events have set the bar pretty high so I hope everyone enjoys it!  I have the first course so expect some great recipes and fun pictures in the next few days!  But today, I am cooking and cleaning and trying to figure out which platters to put everything on!

Almost every recipe I am making can be done ahead of time, or at least part of it.  We are going for stress free here people!  Between my complicated pregnancy, family illnesses, and the fact that my husband is at work 14 hours a day all equals easy, make-ahead appetizers!  I’ll post the full menu later, but for now, here are some savory roasted nut snacks that I was testing out.  I am still unsure which recipe I am going to serve, but they are both so good I wanted to post them here for you to choose!  I have no idea where either recipe came from, as they were scribbled down in the margin of a notebook, so the creators are out there somewhere!  Both are quick, very easy, and perfect for a crowd.  Both recipes can easily be doubled if you think you will be snitching before the party starts!  Or just whip up a batch to munch on while you wrap presents and watch Elf!  That may or may not be what I was doing late last night…

Savory Rosemary Orange Mixed Nuts

2 c mixed nuts
1 T butter
2 T sugar
1 T fresh rosemary, finely chopped
Zest of 1 orange
fresh ground pepper to taste

Melt butter in a small saute pan.  Add rest of ingredients and toss continually over medium heat until nuts are fragrant, about 3 minutes.  Spread on a baking sheet to cool. Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts

2 c mixed nuts
1 egg white, beaten
1/4 c brown sugar
2 tsp paprika
1/2-1 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and then spread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Bake at 350 for about 12 minutes, or until coating is set.  The nuts will still be just barely moist when stirred.  Cool completely and break apart if needed.