Something Special Party Nuts

These party nuts are the perfect combination of spicy, sweet, and salty.  It is a great addition to cocktail hour or even just a special afternoon treat!

Ingredients:

• 1 C. pecan halves
• 1 C. whole cashews
• 1 C. walnut halves
• 1 C. almonds
• ¼ t. ground cumin
• ¼ t. ground cinnamon
• ¼ t. garlic powder
• ¼ t. onion powder
• ¼ t. black pepper
• ½ t. chili powder
• ½ t. cayenne pepper
• ½ C. white sugar
• ¼ C. water
• ¼ C. (1/2 stick) butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper.
3. Place all of the nuts in a big bowl and sprinkle all of the spices over the nuts.
4. In a sauce pan, combine the sugar, water and butter over medium heat.  When the mixture comes to a boil, cook for one minute and the remove from the heat.
5. Pour the mixture over the nuts and stir well.
6. Pour the nuts onto the cookie sheet and spread them out into a single layer.
7. Bake for 10 minutes and then remove and stir the nuts until all are covered with the syrup.
8. Return to the oven and bake for 6 minutes and then remove and allow to cool before serving.

Tips and Tricks:

• You can use any type of nuts you like.  I buy the can of mixed nuts and use it.

Cashew Chicken with Sugar Snap Peas

This is my attempt to make Oriental food at home.  I really liked the flavor of this dish and it was 6 generous servings.  I didn’t add salt or MSG (I think the soy sauce made it salty enough).  I got this recipe from Kevin at “Closet Cooking”.

 Ingredients:

• 8 chicken tenders or 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 T. olive oil
• 2 T. peanut butter
• ¼ C. soy sauce
• 1 lime, juiced and zest
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 T. fresh ginger, grated
• 2 T. brown sugar
• 1 T. chili sauce
• 2 t. sesame oil
• ¼ C. cilantro, chopped
• ½ C. cashews
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 1 lb. Sugar Snap Peas

Directions:

1. Cut all fat, skin, or tendons from the chicken and cut into 1 inch cubes.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the chicken and sauté until cooked through about 5 – 6 minutes.
4. Mix the peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, lime zest, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, chili sauce, and sesame oil in a bowl.
5. Pour the mixture over the chicken and toss to coat. 
6. Add the cilantro, cashews, green onions and Sugar Snap Peas and cook for 2 minutes.
7. Serve over rice.

Tips and Tricks:

• I used Sambal chili sauce but you can use Chili Garlic Sauce as well.
• The Sugar Snap Peas and cilantro are not necessary ingredients, but they both give the dish a great flavor.