Monday 23 June 2014

Honey Roasted Spiced Nuts : LTU Butter


Do you like munching on fancy roasted spiced nuts? These nuts are delicious and very addictive. Not only that, they are terribly expensive too. But tell you what, you can make your own roasted nuts and chose the spicy flavors that you like.
First of all, buy raw nuts of your choice. I like cashew nuts, pecans, almonds and hazelnuts. I know, these nuts don't come cheap but it is still a lot cheaper to buy and then make your own spiced nuts.

Then roast the nuts. This is how I do it. For cashew, almonds and hazelnuts, I roast them in the oven at 180C for 12 minutes. I put them separately in the oven without preheating like this (taught by my auntie) :

The nuts go into a cold oven and stay in there while the oven is pre-heating.  This is my way. You can explore other ways of doing this.

If I am just eating them plain, at the end of 12 minutes I will leave them in the oven to roast further on residual heat for about 8-10 minutes. How to tell if they are done? When you take a fork or whatever implement you choose to stir the  raw nuts, you will find that they are dense and heavy. When they are properly roasted, you can feel that they are light and brittle. The final test is to eat a nut and you should be able to tell if they are done or not.

But for the purpose of making spiced roasted nuts, I take them out immediately because these nuts will spend another 20-25 minutes in the oven later.



For pecans and walnuts, I would roast them for 8 minutes because they cook faster that cashews, almonds and hazelnuts. If eating plain, I will leave them to roast further on residual heat for another 10 minutes. After the nuts are done, make the sugar or honey syrup :

Water, sugar or honey and butter.

Bring the syrup mixture to a boil and simmer for about 1 minute. After that, pour it into your mixing bowl and stir to mix with your choice of seasonings :

The syrup is mixed with salt, pepper, cumin and paprika. Stir, stir, stir.

After that, add your roasted nuts and mix to coat the nuts with the spiced syrup mixture :

Toss the roasted nuts in the syrup mixture.

Then spread the nuts in a single layer on a lined baking tray and bake at 160C for an initial 10 minutes. Stir and continue to roast and stir at intervals of 5 minutes until the syrup is caramelized and thick and the nuts are sticky. Remove the nuts from the oven to cool and store in an airtight container.


I had a bit of technical problem with this batch of nuts because I forgot to reduce the amount of water when making the syrup. The amount of nuts I used was less that the one here. This made the nuts very wet and it took quite long for the syrup to caramelize and dry up. My pecans became over-roasted and was slightly burnt. But they still tasted good to me because I liked the burnt taste hah..hah.... I couldn't stop eating the nuts the moment they came out of the oven. So beware when making these nuts. Share!









Honey Roasted Spiced Nuts
Recipe source : Adapted from Food Wishes

Ingredients :
- 1 cup roasted pecans
- 1 cup roasted almonds
- 1 cup roasted cashews
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon Hungarian Paprika

For the syrup :
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup water (maybe less as I found it too wet for 3 cups of nuts)

Method :
1. Put the salt, ground pepper, cumin and Hungarian Paprika in a big mixing bowl.
2. In a saucepan put butter, honey and water.
3. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute.
4. Pour syrup into the mixing bowl and stir to mix with the seasoning.
5. Put the roasted nuts into the mixing bowl and stir to coat the nuts with the syrup.
6. Pour the nuts onto a lined baking tray (you can grease the tray using cooking spray or just rub with oil but I did not do this)
7. Roast at 160C (or 180C depending on your oven) for 10 minutes and mix the nuts thoroughly.
8. Roast for another 5 minutes and repeat mixing. Continue to roast until the syrup has caramelised and thickened. At this stage the nuts may be wet and sticky but will dry off once cooled.
6. Cool completely and serve or store in an airtight container.

Note : All together I roasted for a total of 20-25 minutes. You need to adjust accordingly.




Photobucket

This post is linked to the event, Little Thumbs Up organised by Zoe of Bake for Happy Kids and Doreen of My Little Favourite DIY and hosted by Jozelyn Ng of Spice Up My Kitchen.

68 comments:

  1. Oooo...looks good. My girl would love this - always buying and the nice ones are always so expensive. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Better to have them home made as we can control what sort of seasoning that goes into it.

      Delete
  2. Morning Twin Phong.. I'm not a fan of nuts, but there are two that I like, that doesn't require any coating: Macadamia and the typical one in restaurants while waiting for our food.. I don't know what its called, but I can munch on them like crazy and finish two plates even before the food comes! During wedding dinners, if I'm early, I will munch on them (usually one table got two plates, kan?), then ask the waiter refill again *paiseh*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But I know mixed nuts are not cheap.. I bought a few times, from petrol stations, that poular brand, what it's called? Ohhh, Tong Garden.. Not cheap..

      Delete
    2. Hello twin! Good, then we don't have to fight over the nuts hee..hee..Macadamia I also like but very expensive that one. I think you are referring to salted peanuts, yes? I also love those and will also sapu at the restaurant or wedding dinners. Tong garden is my favourite and yah, so expensive. But I still buy every now and then when mouth itchy.

      Delete
    3. Hello Twins! I love nuts like crazy. What you just made and posted made me drool. If you plan to make them for Princess Ribbon, just pass me her share since she doesn't eat nuts. I know why she loathes cos' she is already nuts sometimes. Just kidding nia, don't angry hor Princess ... nanti wrinkles like almonds.

      Delete
    4. hah..hah...Hi TW! You are one hilarious guy and more crazy than my twin! I know you love these nuts but I have no time to make for you, sorry ah. Ask your wife to come to my blog and learn to make the nuts for you hee..hee..

      Delete
  3. Wow these will go well with a mug of ice cold beer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are right, Edith! You will eat more nuts and drink more beer :)

      Delete
  4. Love going nuts..... and mixed nuts makes it more extra taste and what is more is....with extra spice in it. Love it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mel, I enjoy making my own spice blend and it makes the nuts so tasty!

      Delete
  5. Looks good! Thanks for the link up! I make roast chicken on Saturday, the taste was fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jozelyn! I saw your roast chicken this morning and you did a beautiful job with the addition of honey!

      Delete
  6. Hi Phong Hong, these nuts looks so tempting.... Can give me some to munch on while I watch the World Cup with my hubby? We will be fighting for the nuts while the footballers are fighting for a goal. hehehe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kimmy! Wah, you like football? That will put me to sleep hah..hah...Sure, I'll give you some nuts, one bottle for you and one bottle for your hubby hah,,hah...

      Delete
  7. We always make our own roasted nuts too. Small pack of cashewnuts is so expensive so we buy a big pack and roast ourselves haha! Usually we just put salt, but I really like the sound of your spice mix :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Yen! Most of the time, I just take the nuts plain. But I was feeling extravagant and wanted to share the recipe.

      Delete
  8. oh, today is something different huh?? no cake and no dishes, but something for snacks!! ah, i love nuts, can just take a handful and munch just like that.. and after that, take another handful and munch again.. muahahaha!! wow, this one seems interesting coated with syrup made of honey, butter and all the spices.. indeed nice!! i can already smell the aroma of the spices and the nuts~~ :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SK, these nuts are really good. I couldn't stop eating once they cooled down. And I have 2 bottles now in the pantry and I wonder if I can resist not eating them all in one sitting!

      Delete
  9. Hi Phong Hong, this is so addictive and I can just keep munching away non-stop!! Can imagine the irresistible aroma of your mixed spices and the nuts. Yummy, yummy.... You have a great week ahead and cheers :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ivy! I guarantee if you made these, they will be gone very fast hah..hah...You have a great week ahead too!

      Delete
  10. Hi,

    Good day. I came across your blog while I’m blog surfing and I found your wonderful blog. Are you interested to earn extra income? If yes, please reply to my email adel@exabytes.com


    I am looking forward to hear from you. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi adelboo! Thanks for the opportunity but I have to say no thanks! But all the same, thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  11. PH, this is so addictive, I am sure I am gonna love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jess, if you are on diet don't do it hah...hah...hah...

      Delete
  12. Hi Phong Hong, these yummy nuts are very addictive ^-^. I may make some during Chinese New Year ... thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Karen! That's a good idea and you are advised to make more as they disappear very fast!

      Delete
  13. Yup....buy from the shpp very expensive and some are not fresh. Nicer to make at home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agree...especially kiam siap people like me prefer to DIY hee..hee..

      Delete
  14. Hi Phong Hong...

    I go nuts looking at your yummy nuts! Huwaaaaaaaaa.......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Mama! Don't go nutty lah my friend. Go and buy nuts and start roasting!

      Delete
  15. I love nuts & always stock up these snacks! How brilliant of you to make your own. May I have some pleeeeeeese!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Shirley! hah..hah...I ate them all up. oooopss....there goes the diet!

      Delete
  16. Hi Phong Hong, I've made the honey roasted walnuts...just walnuts only; I also added brown sugar for a crunchy finish...next time, I will make it with the mixed nuts and just with simple honey. Adding the brown sugar was a bit too sweet for my taste...also, it's rather traditional here, in the U.S. to make these for Christmas holidays, but why not have it available all year?...very smart, indeed! Yumm!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Elisabeth! Yes, I remember your roasted walnuts and I actually bookmarked it! But it is quite tricky buying walnuts here because a few times I ended up with rancid ones. I think it is our hot weather that makes the nuts go bad very fast. I have to get them from a baking supplies shop and the last time I was there I noticed they stored their walnuts in the chiller. But I didn't buy any at the time.

      Delete
  17. Phong Hong, I'm back again to let you know I'm so craving your Tamarid Pork Ribs...from your previous post. OMG...I love, love it so much, thanks for sharing your amazing super delicious recipe. As I have mentioned before, I always leave your blog hungry, and craving your famous dishes that you make. I must spend more time going over some of your recipes...seriously want to make some of your recipes which are so unique to me! (google+ it to share!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi again Elisabeth! Thank you for your compliments! I do hope that you try the ribes, that is if you are OK with the fermented beanpaste :)

      Delete
    2. I'm totally fine with fermented bean paste, which I can easily find at our local Asian market...they have anything, and everything Asian that you can find, including fresh Asian produce, and homemade baked 'goodies'. They've been around here, locally for the past 30yrs. (It's called the Orient Cookie)

      Delete
    3. That's great! Then you can enjoy lots of Asian food from your own kitchen!

      Delete
  18. wow! Phong Hong, your roasted nuts is with so many spicies, it looks gorgeously delicious! Must try this one day!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh, how I love cashews and your honey roasted version looks irresistible! And I think they look perfect!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Phong Hong,

    After roasting your own nuts, you must be asking yourself why didn't I do this earlier? I had the same experience too... I like to make honey roasted macadamia nuts. Totally agree that they can be very addictive.

    Zoe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Zoe! Oh, I love macadamia nuts and honey roasted even better!

      Delete
  21. Wow!Yummy!!!! I bookmarked this for CNY, hehe...thanks Phong Hong :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Esther! Yes, must make for CNY 2015!

      Delete
  22. Phong Hong, my blog is "short short dey" now, can't see updates from friends from my dashboard, just 1, don't know why. Oh, these spicy roasted nuts look so yummy but I'm having sorethroat now, can only "look look."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jessie! Mine same thing. Mustn't eat nuts when coughing or sore-throat. Hope you get well soon!

      Delete
  23. Ooooo yummmm!

    I love nuts! But usually eat them plain without seasoning.

    Maybe I can try do this someday. Sure drooling looking at them. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remembered only Lina ate my bag of nuts from Xian. I will go there again and buy bigger bags!

      Delete
    2. Hi Lina! I love plain nuts too but sometimes I like the fancy ones too. Thanks for coming by!

      And TM, remember, don't just buy for Lina hint, hint....

      Delete
  24. Harlow harlow PH7... I am visiting here for the first time, please roll your red carpet for me to sashay in.
    I love to eat but I don't eat or bake, so I shall visit more often and ask my wife learn some recipes and tips from you. A big thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just copied & paste Shirley tay's comment.......

      May I have some pleeeeeeese!!

      Delete
    2. Hi TM! Sorry, I don't have red carpet so you will have to make do with the cold tiles hah..hah...Sorry, no more nuts, I ate them all. Yes, I work fast with nuts. Here today, gone tomorrow! Yes, your wife is most welcome to visit and look see look see. She is probably a better cook than I am. Thanks for coming over :)

      Delete
  25. Hello there!

    This one looks good, I love this, it's a perfect snack for movie time! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Hayley! It is perfect for movies and TV! Thanks for coming over :)

      Delete
  26. I loves cashewnuts, but never cook myself before, usually buy the packet one from supermarket...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. More convenient and the Tong Garden one is affordable on your side :)

      Delete
  27. My girl always ask me to buy different nuts before she goes back to college. She loves cashew nuts, almonds and walnuts... so what I normally do is to put all into the non stick pan and stir them for around 10 minutes or so... she munches while she studies.. hahaha... I don't mind spending on these nuts cos they are quite healthy too, right? :) Oh, pine nuts are nice too but a bit costly...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, very healthy indeed! It is supposed to be better eaten raw but I don't like the taste. Toasted or roasted is lots tastier!

      Delete
  28. Hi Phong Hong,
    I wish I could reach out for some of the nuts right now!
    Very sedap for snacking anytime of the day, especially when in the midst of blogging, like right now! Crunch...crunch.... !!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joyce, you are right! Must place one bowl of nuts in front of me while blogging hah..hah...

      Delete
  29. Wow, i would love to snack on this. Making me think of Christmas already :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Time flies, Christmas is just a few months away!

      Delete
  30. Phong Hong,
    I love to homemade my own roasted nuts too. Outside ones are very very expensive.
    I like to roast mine plain but next time I wanna try yours with some spices.
    mui

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mui mui, your should try with spices as they are very yummy!

      Delete