so Gilly!

Go Nuts

Posted on 25. May, 2010 by gilly in TASTE

Here’s a winning number that always seem to blow people’s minds whenever I serve it. Which happened again last Thursday and I promised a few friends I’d provide the secret. Credit for this baby goes to the Union Square Café in NYC.

Preheat oven to 180 degrees.

In a salad bowl combine the following:

• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt (aka “gros sel” in French)
• 2 tablespoons melted butter (5 seconds in the microwave if you live in Northern latitudes, 30 seconds on your window sill if you live in, say, Dubai!)

On a baking sheet covered in aluminum foil, evenly spread your assorted (raw, unsalted) nuts. Ideally 100g each of peeled peanuts, cashews, hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, whole unpeeled almonds or 600g of any nut assortment you can get your hands on.

Toast the nuts in the oven for about 10 minutes, until they become golden brown. An amazing smell will fill your house.

Remove and toss the nuts directly into the bowl of seasonings to coat them thoroughly. An even more amazing smell will fill you house (and hair). Distribute into little bowls, serve warm, watch them disappear. Be prepared to field questions, refer your guests to this blog.

(Provide napkins, fingers get a tad buttery).

A crunchy, sweet, savory, aromatic, aesthetic snack that satisfies all the senses, with minimal effort and maximal impact. Everything in life should be that way