Sweet and Spicy Nut Recipe

It started innocently enough with a gift from a friend: a small jar of nuts tied with a ribbon. One taste and I was hooked. They were both sweet and salty, and after they went down the hatch there was a subtle spicy warmth that lingered. SO GOOD! When we moved out of state, my friend generously shared the recipe so I can continue to have a supply of this addictive snack. As with any recipe, I tweaked it to make it my own, and now I'm sharing it with you.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of nuts of your choice (I like to just get a big container of mixed nuts).

• 1/4 cup water

• 1 tbsp butter

• 1/2 cup sugar in the raw

• 1tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

• 1/4 tsp cumin

• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1. Preheat over to 35o degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.

2. Put 4 cups of nuts in a bowl and put aside.

3. Heat water, butter and sugar in a saucepan until butter and sugar are dissolved.

4. Add salt and spices to the liquid and stir thoroughly.

5. Slowly pour the liquid over the nuts and fold until all nuts are coated in sweet and spicy goodness.

6. Bake for 10 minutes. Stir and bake for up to 5 more minutes. But keep an eye on it! Bake until golden brown.

7. Cool completely and enjoy!

Makes perfect road trip food!