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The California Table

California Cuisine with a Coastal Vibe

March 15, 2011 By Lisa Dearen 14 Comments

Union Square Spiced Nuts


Posh bar nuts are one of those cookery tricks that every girl should have up her sleeve. The first time I ever had fancy nuts was at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua in Maui, on a surprise trip with Mr. Gonzo (then a mere boyfriend). Served in a tiered silver dish, the nuts were meatier, saltier, richer than I’d ever had before, no offense to Mr. Peanut, whose roasted peanuts had been a family staple growing up.

Years later, I stumbled upon a recipe for spiced nuts in Oprah’s magazine, inspired by a recipe from the Union Square Café in New York City. All manner of chefs have their version of this recipe, from Nigella Lawson to Ina Garten to Oprah.

You can whip these up in about 20 minutes flat. Prepare them before your guests arrive, and they’ll be greeted by the smell of warm rosemary and toasted nuts as they waltz through your door. If by chance you have leftovers, store in the fridge in an airtight container, then reheat before serving for 20 to 30 seconds in the microwave; you want them to be warm, not hot. At least, that’s how they were at the Ritz Carlton.

Print

Union Square Spiced Nuts

Prep 15 mins

Cook 5 mins

Total 20 mins

Author Lisa Dearen

Search the Internet far and wide, and you'll find dozens of versions of Union Square's spiced nuts. And no wonder; these are the perfect snack to go with your afternoon cocktail. Who needs dinner?!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound unsalted mixed nuts (the original recipe called for mixed nuts; I've found all almonds or all cashews works nicely, too)
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350° F.
  2. Spread the nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet, then toast in the oven until fragrant and golden brown, about 10 minutes.
  3. As the nuts cool, combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
  4. Mix the nuts into the butter, stirring to thoroughly coat the nuts.
  5. Return to the oven and toast for another 5 minutes.
  6. Serve warm.

Filed Under: Appetizers & Drinks

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. La Phemme Phoodie says

    March 15, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    Oooh I like the spice combination. I try to keep nuts on hand for a healthy snack. I think this needs to go into my snack rotation. Pics look great.

    Reply
    • The Gonzo Gourmet says

      March 15, 2011 at 7:13 AM

      Thanks – glad you like the pics! This really is so good, I could eat this and nothing else for dinner and be a happy girl.

      Reply
  2. Kimkl says

    March 15, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    Yum… those look delish. Can’t decide if I want to make them or just wrangle an invitation to your house!

    Reply
    • The Gonzo Gourmet says

      March 16, 2011 at 11:34 AM

      Come on by!

      Reply
  3. Jersey Girl Cooks says

    March 15, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    I LOVE this recipe. My husband’s aunt gave me one from the Union Square cafe and I think this is the same one. Love the rosemary, brown sugar and cayenne. I’m NUTs about them…haha.

    Reply
  4. Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) says

    March 15, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    I have made spiced nuts before, but never with a sweet and spicy combination. They sound great!

    Reply
  5. Helena Spensatelli says

    March 16, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    Those nuts look delicious. I try to eat 6 Brazil nuts daily for selenium (I swear it keeps gray hair away), but they could really use some help in the flavor department. I see in your pic that there are Brazil nuts in the mix. I’m gonna try this recipe today since I have everything on hand! Yum.

    Reply
  6. lincolnmom says

    March 17, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Years ago I had a recipe for spiced nuts, which I loved. Some how it got lost, and I never saw another recipe I liked. This one looks really close to my old one. I will be making it soon.

    Reply
  7. elaine says

    August 2, 2014 at 8:28 AM

    I made a batch of sweet and apicy nuts but dont think they are flavorful enough. Can I add to what is already done?

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. It’s the Right Thyme for Spiced Nuts « My Emu Is Emo says:
    August 22, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    […] lists the recipes every girl should have in her repertoire, I started there and found… lo! Spiced Nuts. No store-bought flavored nuts have ever measured up to the ones my grandmother made at home… […]

    Reply
  2. Food52 Genius Recipes: A Review - Whisk & CleaverWhisk & Cleaver says:
    April 25, 2015 at 10:21 AM

    […] First, I made the bar nuts from Union Square Café. And let me tell you, I’m no stranger to the sugary-salty amazement that is bar nuts. But this recipe is way too hot … for me. Reading reviews online, I find myself at a table for […]

    Reply
  3. Valentine's Day Dinner - Saltwater & Sunshine says:
    February 10, 2016 at 3:05 PM

    […] you and your love cook together, snack on my favorite spiced nuts while sipping a cold glass of […]

    Reply
  4. Father's Day Menu - The California Table says:
    June 15, 2016 at 5:40 PM

    […] Spicy bar nuts go great with beer. Just sayin’. […]

    Reply
  5. The Gonzo Gourmet Turns One! - The California Table says:
    January 6, 2017 at 4:08 PM

    […] Spiced Bar Nuts with Rosemary. My all-time favorite cocktail snack, this last recipe honors my love of all things salt or snack related. I could easily skip dinner and nosh on these all night long. […]

    Reply

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