RECIPE - Party Nibbles

The holiday season is rapidly approaching. With the season comes parties. If you are hosting a holiday party or asked to bring a snack to a party, here are two great ideas. Both are easy to put together and they will be a big hit.

Sweet and Spicy Pecans
1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. cayenne
1 egg white
2 c. pecan halves

Preheat oven to 300F. Mix the sugar and spices together in a small bowl. Beat the egg white lightly with a fork in a larger bowl; toss in the pecans and stir to coat. Sprinkle with the spice mixture and coat pecans evenly. Using your fingers, one by one transfer the pecans from the bowl to a baking sheet coated with a nonstick cooking spray or covered with parchment paper. Seperate them as best you can. Discard any left over sugar-egg mixture. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes. Then transfer to another baking sheet, breaking pecans apart as necessary; let cool completely. Kept covered in a dry place, pecans will stay fresh for 5 days.

Rosemary Almonds
3 TBS. butter
2 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 c. raw almonds

Preheat oven to 350F. Using a baking sheet with a lip, melt butter. Mix seasonings into the butter, and toss almonds into the seasoning until coated. Bake in oven about 10 - 12 minutes, stirring once, until toasted and fragrant. Remove from oven. Serve warm or at room temperature.
These are so much better the next day so make them ahead.