Such a Fun Age: Spiced Mixed Nuts
Such a Fun Age - Recipe 1
For my first book-inspired recipe, I decided to make spiced mixed nuts. This is based on the bulk bins of nuts at the Market Depot grocery store that fascinate little Briar’s attention. When Alix calls Emira last-minute to babysit late at night, the grocery is the only place open that Emira knows Briar will enjoy.
The entirety of this scene serves as the catalyst for all of the book’s subsequent events.
…………….
Market Depot sold bone brothes, truffle butters, smoothies from a station that was currently dark, and several types of nuts in bulk. The store was bright and empty, and the only checkout lane was the one for ten items or fewer. Next to a dried-fruit section, Zara bent in her heels and held her dress down to retrieve a box of yogurt-covered raisins. “Um… eight dollars?” She quickly placed them back on the shelf and stood up. ‘Gotdamn. This is a rich people grocery store.” Well, Emira mouthed with the toddler in her arms, this is a rich-people baby. - (Excerpt from Ch. 1)
“[…] How long do you have to stay?” “I don’t know.” Emira set Briar back on the ground. “But homegirl can look at the nuts for hours so it’s whatever." - (Excerpt from Ch. 1)
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp vegan butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (tailor to your spice tolerance)
4 cups of your favorite mix of nuts, raw and unsalted (I used 1.5 cups pecans, 1.5 cups cashews, and 1 cup slivered almonds)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add water and sugar, and stir until sugar is melted. Turn heat to low and whisk in salt, pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper.
Add nuts and stir until well coated. Keep cooking over low heat for about 5 minutes.
Pour mixture evenly over parchment-lined baking sheets, making sure they are in a single layer, and then bake for 10 minutes.
Remove from oven and carefully stir/toss/flip nuts with a spoon or spatula. Return pans to oven and bake 10 more minutes.
Let cool, and enjoy!
