Homemade Honey-Roasted Nuts!

One of the things I miss about gluten-free/no processed food living is the ability to pick up something sweet (and reasonably healthy) on the road. Sure there are always fruits - but it's really hard to satisfy a sweet tooth on fruits without going off the deep end with carbs.

Enter Costco's baking section - NUTS! What's good with Nuts? Cinnamon!

Honey Roasted Nuts with Cinnamon:

Ingredients:

1 cup raw almonds

1 cup raw pecan halves

1 cup halved walnuts

1/8 cup honey

1/8 cup water

1.5 teaspoon cinnamon (or to taste)

1.5 teaspoon vanilla extract - the real stuff.

sprinkle kosher or sea salt

Method:

Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees. Line half-sheet pan with wax paper. Add honey, water, cinnamon and vanilla to large sauce pan over low heat, stirring until honey is completely incorporated. Remove from heat,  add nuts and fold until completely covered.

Spread onto wax paper in single layer taking care to break up any clusters leaving any reserve liquid in pan (not on baking sheet).

Bake at 300 for 45-50 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, breaking up any clumps. Take care not to burn. Remove wax paper from baking sheets onto rack. Cool completely and pack into air-tight containers. Makes approximately 8 servings.

Nutrition:

Calories	325
Fat	27g
Saturated Fat	2g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	1mg
Carbohydrates	17g
Fiber	5g
Sugars	10g
Protein	7g

And at the intersection of WOW and OMG....

Honey Roasted Nuts with Cinnamon and Cocoa:

Ingredients:

Same as above. Omit vanilla and replace with 2 tablespoons of your favorite really good baking cocoa. I love Ghirardelli's variety in part because they label their cocoa gluten-free. Also, it's way better than the cheap stuff.

Method:

As above omitting the vanilla. Add nuts, making sure complete coating. Add cocoa just before spreading onto baking sheets.

Nutrition:

Calories	324
Fat	28g
Saturated Fat	2g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	1mg
Carbohydrates	18g
Fiber	5g
Sugars	10g
Protein	7g