Monday 4 February 2013

Spiced Mixed Nuts


A few years ago, a very beautiful lady from the Middle East gave me a packet of mixed nuts. She bought it from a gourmet shop and told me that it was her recipe as she supplies goods to this outlet. A small packet of the nuts costs RM20.00. It was really good. It was sweet, salty and had a hint of spices.

Roasted mixed nuts.

The next time I met up with her, I asked her for the recipe. She hemmed and hawed and I got really confused. And I realized that I should not have asked her as this must be her trade secret. I let the issue rest and made a mental note to Google the recipe.

Nuts mixed with sugar syrup spread on baking tray.

I forgot all about the delicious nuts until Chef John of Food Wishes shared his recipe for Mixed Nuts. I was really happy to finally get this recipe. It is really simple to make and you can save quite a bit of money. And if you can get your nuts from a supplier who can give you a good price, even better.

Final product after roasting.

These spiced nuts are quite versatile as you can put in your own mix of nuts and spices. I tried cumin, cinnamon, cajun seasoning and cracked black pepper. If you don't like spices, then just leave it out. Just use the sugar syrup and you'll get nuts coated with a crunchy sugar layer.


These nuts are very addictive and is nice served as a party snack. Try this and impress your guests. It makes a nice addition to the usual peanuts that we normally serve during Chinese New Year. In Chef John's recipe, he uses raw walnuts and pecans. He probably missed my comment because I asked him why these are used raw. I am guessing that it's because walnuts and pecans take a short time to roast and would be roasted by the time the sugar syrup dries up.


I did not use walnuts because the walnuts I bought were rancid even though the expiry date on the package was still a long way off. I did not have time to go to the supermarket to make a complaint. Walnuts spoil very easily due to it's high fat content. I still roasted the pecans and I am glad that I did. 


I am reproducing Chef John's recipe below with my modifications in red. Do go to his blog to check the video recipe.









Spiced Mixed Nuts
Recipe source : Food Wishes

Ingredients :
- 1 cup raw walnut halves (I omitted)
- 1 cup raw pecan halves (I put 2 cups)
- 1 cup unsalted, dry roasted almonds (1 put 2 cups)
- 1 cup unsalted, dry roasted cashews (I put 2 cups)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper (I put 1 teaspoon)
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin (I put 1 teaspoon plus one teaspoon of cinnamon)
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (I put 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning)

For the syrup :
- 1 or 2 tablespoons butter (I put 2 small pats of Ballantyne butter)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup water

Note : I put 1/2 cup water because I used 6 cups of nuts but I realised that 1/4 cup of water would suffice. I did not increase the sugar and I found that 1/2 cup sugar is adequate.

Method :
1. Put all the nuts, salt, ground pepper, cumin and cayenne in a big mixing bowl.
2. In a saucepan put butter, sugar and water.
3. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute.
4. Pour syrup into the nuts and stir to coat evenly.
5. Pour the nuts onto a lined and lightly greased baking tray (use cooking spray or just rub with oil)
6. Roast at 180C for 10 minutes and mix the nuts thoroughly. (I roasted at 160C)
7. Roast for another 6 minutes and repeat mixing. Continue to roast until the syrup has caramalised and thickened.
8. Cool completely and serve or store in an airtight container.

Note : I roasted at 160C for 10 minutes, 6 minutes and continued until the nuts were dry and sticky. All together I roasted for a total of 25 minutes and left the nuts in the oven for another 10 minutes. You need to adjust accordingly.


I am submitting this post to Chinese New Year Delights 2013 hosted by Sonia aka Nasi Lemak Lover.

49 comments:

  1. Nice! I like! But all so expensive...and nuts can lead to gout so I can only eat sparingly.

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    1. Arthur, agree, agree. Especially the pecans. 100g costs RM14.00 arrghh!!!! But I only do this once in a blue moon and only for family consumption. Cannot belanja anybody else for this :)

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  2. Nuts are always well received by everyone. Oh boy, am I impressed? You bet I do ...the mixed spice nuts looking very crunchy with spices added making it more tastier and delicious

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    1. Mel, it's nice to much on nuts especially when watching TV. Somehow I can just munch and munch like my stomach is bottomless :)

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  3. This is so addictive. I can eat the whole bottle myself. Didn't know it can be so easily done. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Mich, you should try this. I won't be buying those commercial ones anymore.

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  4. Oh, let's exchange, I did fried "crabmeat" sticks today!

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    1. Jessie, sure can! Don't forget to give me chilli sauce also hee..hee..

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  5. I've been thinking if I should make this and seeing yours makes me wanted to do it. These nuts can be really addictive with the salt and sweet flavour.

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    1. Oh do make some! It is so simple and so good to eat, though not too much :)

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  6. never tried the spiced version of nuts. wish i could munch of some while i watch my fav movie. tempting me to make some now

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    1. Swasthi, adding spices like cumin really makes the nuts extra yummy. I will experiment with more combinations. Perhaps garam masala would also go nicely.

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  7. Wish you an early Happy CNY! These spiced Mixed Nuts are perfect for munching when waiting for count down to the new year! ;)

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    1. Happy CNY to you too, Amy! There's still time to make these nuts. It's so easy and make more as it would be nice to munch throughout the new year!

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  8. Hi PH! I'm going NUTS over your nuts!

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    1. Alvin, yeah go nuts! Making these nuts is really no sweat at all compared to baking cookies :)

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  9. Spiced nuts... mmm I like! Great finger food.

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    1. It is and very addictive. Once I pop one into my mouth, I just can't stop!

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  10. This is very addictive, once I start to eat I will never stop. Nice one

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    Replies
    1. Li Shuan, this one is not good for dieting hee..hee...

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  11. Hi Phong Hong, I was contemplating to roast mixed nuts for CNY too but they are quite costly. Since it is very addictive, I may not be able to control if my visitors asked for more. So I scrape the idea............maybe I'll do and 'sorok' them in my house. hehehe...

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    1. Kimmy, you are right! Make just for own consumption like me. Can't afford to belanja my guests with these expensive nuts :)

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  12. Hi Phong Hong,
    I can see these are seriously addictive! If I make this, I'll only eat it when no one else is around! Hahaha, maybe I'll share it with my sis, she love nuts!

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    1. Joyce, you should make these mixed nuts. They are really good and a lot easier to make than cookies hah! hah!

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  13. I'm crazy about nuts! I can really eat this non stop :D

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    1. Ann you should make some for munching!

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  14. never tried spiced nuts before.. delicious..

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    1. PT do try it! With Indian spices it really makes the nuts more delicious.

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  15. I always eat nuts in raw.hehehe....
    and I've always wondered how to make these and now I know.
    thank you teach PH,come to your blog,always have something new to learn.
    happying yah....^v^

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    1. Raw nuts are much healthier so you are doing the right thing. But it taste a lot better once roasted :) You can make some and try, I am sure you will love it!

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  16. this is also dangerous like nga ku, can eat non stop and without realising, finish the whole batch! i bet the spices must be really tasty tho i nvr tried doing this before. if you bring to office , sure your colleagues will sapu everything in one day!

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    1. Lena, last weekend I reserved one "small" ehem, bottle for myself. Then while watching TV I decided to have some. And I finished the whole bottle hah! hah! Terrible!

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  17. That's why I don't serve nuts, I ended up eating most of them unconsciously reaching for some as I watch my TV lol! This is a very expensive snack!

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    1. Jeannie, that's why I only make this for family only. Can't afford to make more for guests or else can go bankrupt!

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  18. Phong Hong,
    my kids will go nuts if they sees this.
    I will definitely try to make this..heehee if I have spare hands..lol
    Making this is easy but a bit pricey hor :D
    mui

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    1. mui mui, can also use peanuts. Or just use one nut. Pecan and almonds are expensive but my family favourite is cashew nuts. Also a bit expensive but once in a while I can belanja....

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  19. Perfect to nibble!! Yummy!!!!!

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  20. Mmmmm....I love the sweet spicy combo in your mixed nuts! They sound irresistible!

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    Replies
    1. Lizzy, they are really great as snacks and I love munching them while watching TV.

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  21. Good idea PH.. my hubby loves nuts very much.. will spare for tit-bits @ home..

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    1. Ogyep, you can make this for your hubby and I am sure you and your kids will love it too!

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  22. It makes a great snack for beer drinkers. Also, you can keep the walnuts in your freezer, that way it won't go rancid on you. ;)

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    1. Oh yes, cans of cold beer! Thanks for the tip, I will try storing them in the freezer :)

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  23. Can I exchange my pineapple tarts with your mixed nuts or not? look absolutely yummy!

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    1. Sonia, any time can! I love pineapple tarts but it looks like too much work for me (orang malas hee..hee... But maybe next year I want to challenge myself and bake pineapple tarts for CNY :)

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  24. I wanna eager to eat that nuts and that spices also.We are also Manufacturing and exporting these type of foods,spices and prayer products like pooja items..
    If U wanna Visit us : Spices Manufacturers in Madurai

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