Rosemary Nut Mix

 Here you go. . .many, many people have asked for this so I thought I should just blog about it and then it's just a link to share :)

Remember "back in the day" when we used to share step-by-step with pictures?  Yep, you're getting that today :). Pioneer Woman was the first that I remember doing this - remember her first cookbook???  Back when we bought cookbooks, I would always date the page when I made the recipe.  I moved to a binder in the kitchen more than 10 years ago with printouts and never dated the pages, which makes me sad now.  I have NO idea how long I've been doing these, but they are a holiday staple.

Here is a picture of the recipe and then I'll let you know how I make them:

Also, I took this first picture at 6:59 a.m. and the last one, of them out on the stovetop to cool, at 7:29 a.m.  NOT time-consuming at all.

The butter is not in my first picture b/c I forgot it - here it is, melting in my favorite pot - I think everyone should buy one :). Four tablespoons.

I also don't use fresh rosemary.  I have in the past, but I don't think it makes much of a difference unless, of course, you are an herb snob.  Then you'll want the "real" stuff.  I just make sure to really break it up in my hand before adding it to the melted butter.  Once I can smell the rosemary, I turn off the heat and add the maple syrup (1 TBS)

In the meantime, while the butter was melting, I opened my bag of deluxe nuts (those without peanuts included) and add the dry ingredients - brown sugar, cumin, cayenne pepper. . .I am doubling all of these ingredients because I'm using a giant bag of mixed nuts - and these are already salted so I don't add the extra salt either.

I throw all the dry ingredients in the bag and then shake it up.  When the maple syrup is mixed into the butter-rosemary mix, I add the nuts to the pot - again, best pot ever because nothing sticks.I promise I am not a paid advertiser for Our Place - I just truly, truly like these pieces I have.  I think I've mentioned I've gifted the griddle pan (I'm using here) many times this year - and now my dad is getting one for Christmas too!  Anyway, look how light the pot is. . .I'm pouring my nuts out with one hand - 

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes - stirring halfway through. . .

 Pull out after 15 minutes and allow to cool.

While these were baking I made bows for the treat bags I was going to assemble:

It's been a long time since I've done anything "crafty" or homemade like this for anyone - I wanted to write this post, already had the ingredients since this is a Christmas Eve staple, so decided to gift them at our team Christmas lunch today.

When the nuts were cooled off I put 1.5 cups into each bag and added the ribbon:

I was never sure how much this all made - turns out I was able to add 1 1/2 cups on the nut mix into each of 6 bags and this is what was left over.  I ate all the cashews and packaged the rest up for our neighbor :)

There you have it - super, super easy and so very delicious!!  Before I had my griddle pan I used a cookie sheet with parchment paper - it is really important because the syrup and sugar will stick to the pan as the mixture cools.

Enjoy and let me know if you make it or another variation that I should try!

Love,

Jenni