Shelly's Recipe

SPICED NUTS

Category: Snacks / Crackers / Chips

1 egg white
1 tbsp water
1 tsp table salt
1 lb pecans , cashews, walnuts, or whole unblanched almonds
2/3 cup superfine sugar (see headnote)
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp paprika

Adjust two oven racks to the upper- and lower-middle positions and heat the oven to 275 degrees. Whisk the egg white, water, and salt together in a medium bowl. Add the nuts and toss to coat. Drain in a colander for 5 minutes.

Mix the sugar, cumin, cayenne, and paprika together. Toss the spices with the drained nuts. Spread the nuts evenly on two parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until the nuts are dry and crisp, about 50 minutes, stirring occasionally and rotating the baking sheets halfway through. Remove from the oven and let the nuts cool completely on the baking sheet, about 30 minutes. Break the nuts apart and serve.

Serves 8 to 10

If you can not find superfine sugar, process sugar in a food processor for 1 minute.

To Make Ahead: The nuts can be stored at room temperature, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, for up to 1 week.