Chef Caroline Fey

Need a last minute hostess gift? I've got you covered. I'm sharing my signature spicy cocktail nut recipe - it's been requested more times than I can count. The nuts are seriously addicting and they make the best holiday gift for friends, teachers, neighbors and family. Don’t be scared by the aqua faba (chickpea liquid) in the recipe. It helps the spices stick to the nuts. Traditionally egg whites are used, but I found that the aqua faba stays crunchier longer, especially in humid enviornments, and it’s plant based. You can eat the leftover chickpeas on a salad, roast them until crispy, or make hummus with them.

Ingredients:
Nuts:
3 cups each: whole almonds, pecans, shelled pistachios, whole cashews & unsalted peanuts 
1 cup olive oil
Spice Blend:
2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
2 tablespoons granulated garlic
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon Coleman’s mustard powder
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili flakes
1 tablespoon ground pepper
¼ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup kosher salt
¼ cup packed fresh rosemary leaves
Glaze:
¾ cup aquafaba (the liquid from a 15-oz can of chickpeas) – reserve the chickpeas for another use
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 400° F. Prepare two rimmed backing sheets with parchment paper and oil then well.
Nuts:
Put nuts in a large bowl and mix to combine.
Spice Blend:
Mix the spice blend together and set aside.
Glaze:
Whip the aquafaba until frothy. Add the sugar and beat until pale, about 30 seconds. Add the Worcestershire sauce. Pour the glaze over the nuts and toss until evenly coated. Sprinkle 1/3 of the spice mixture over the nuts and toss to coat. Repeat until the nuts are well coated. Drizzle ½ cup olive oil over the nuts and gently toss again. Spread the nuts evenly over 2 rimmed baking sheets lined with oiled parchment paper. Bake for 30 minutes, rotating half way through, until the nuts are fragrant and golden brown. Cool completely before breaking apart. Transfer the nuts jars or storage containers.

Happy 🐇🌸🐣