Deez Nutz!!!

Here's a ridiculously easy recipe, courtesy of Rachel Ray (it's in her December issue of her magazine). Yeah, she's annoying, but her recipes are easy!

Spicy Maple Nuts (aka *Deez Nutz)
(alternative title from a vulgar in-joke from my brother)

Ingredients:

2 cups nuts (any kind - I used walnuts, almonds and pecans, but for the first batch pictured here, they were just almonds alone)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne powder
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp cinammon
3 tbsp pure maple syrup


Pour nuts in an open pan and toast over medium high heat for 5 minutes or until hot. Make sure to stir the nuts and/or shift the pan to prevent scorching.

Pour dry ingredients in a bowl and mix well! (Photo below is actually out of order - this is some of the dry stuff after it was poured in increments over the mapled nuts)

In another bowl, pour in the maple syrup. Add the toasted nuts and toss to coat evenly.

After the nuts are well coated with maple syrup, add in the sugar/spice mix.

Toss to coat evenly...

Spread the nuts in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with wax paper. Let it cool for 20 minutes (or more).

Store in airtight container.

I put the nuts in those Holiday/Christmas-print cellophane bags and gave them as food gifts to co-workers and friends.