Spiced Candied Nut Clusters

If you love snacking on nuts and bored of store-bought spiced nuts, you will be amazed how easy and tasty they are to make at home. These sweet, slightly spicy and salty nuts are perfect to munch anytime of the day. These nuts will turn out to be the one of those things that you don't want to put it down. With your own combination of spice mix, you will go nuts over these spiced nuts. Also, nuts are a great way to add good fats to your diet, but make sure you snack'em mindfully. And here goes the recipe,

Ingredients:

1 cup raw Almonds

1 cup raw Walnuts

1/2cup raw Cashews

1/4 cup raw Pumpkin seeds

1/4 cup raw Sunflower seeds

1/4cup + 2tbs White Sugar 

3/4tsp Cumin powder

1/2tsp Red Chilli powder

1/2tsp Cardamom powder

1 1/4tsp Salt

1 large Egg white

How to:

Place the oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 300 degrees. 

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and keep it aside.

In a big bowl beat the egg white until foamy. 

Add the nuts and seeds into the bowl, and stir until coated.

In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, cumin powder, chilli powder, cardamom powder and salt.

Sprinkle the sugar-spice mix over the nuts and mix to coat well.

Now spread the coated nuts on the baking sheet in a single layer.

Bake for 35 mins and let cool on the sheet for an hour.

Once cooled, the sugar hardens and you can break'em into bite sized pieces. 

Serve as a party snack or on the-go munchies.

Spiced Baby Potato Curry

I never had my hands on baby potatoes until i made this hot and finger-licking curry. It is simple and easy to make with your basic pantry stuff and also pretty addictive and makes you gobble up the potatoes. The curry might look a bit dry than your usual gravy for chapathis but it is actually quite moist and goes perfectly well. If you want more of a gravy, then smash one potato and mix it with the masala when you add the water. And here goes the recipe,
Ingredients:

8-10 Baby Potatoes

2 Ripe Tomatoes

1 medium Red Onion (finely chopped)

3 Green Chilies (slit)

5-6 Curry Leaves

1/2tsp Ginger (minced)

1/2tsp Cumin seeds

1/4tsp Turmeric powder

1tsp Red Chilli powder

1/2tsp Garam masala powder

2tbsp Cilantro, for garnishing

1 cup Water

1tbsp Oil

Salt

How to:

• Boil and peel the baby potatoes. 

• Heat the oil in a pan and gently sear the potatoes without breaking'em and keep it aside.

• In the same pan, add the cumin seeds followed by onions and saute'em for 2-3 mins.

• Add the ginger, green chilies and curry leaves and cook for a min.

• Now add the tomatoes and cook until its completely mashed with lid closed.

• Add the turmeric powder, chili power and garam masala powder and mix well.

• Now add the seared potatoes, prick'em with a fork and gently mix with the masala.

• Add water and salt and cook 5-6 mins or until everything comes together.

• Check salt for taste, switch off and garnish with cilantro.

• Serve hot with chapathi or paratha.

Spiced Roasted Nuts

'A handful of nuts a day keeps your bad cholesterol away'. If you are not into raw nuts, try spicing it up and eat'em to compliment your naturally healthy diet. This is such a simple recipe and makes a great on-the-go snack with a spice kick. You can experiment with the spices and play with the recipe. Also try mixing some sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds along with the nuts. I always eat'em raw with my morning oatmeal bowl. Go healthy! Go Nuts!

Ingredients:

1 cup Whole Raw Almonds

1 cup Whole Raw Walnuts

1tsp Chilli powder

1/2tsp Coriander powder

1/2tsp Cumin powder

1/4tsp ground Cinnamon

1/4tsp Black Pepper powder

1/2tsp Salt 

1tbsp Olive oil

How to:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a bowl, mix together the chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, cinnamon, black pepper powder and salt(i used a little less than 1/2 tsp), followed by the oil.

• Now add the nuts and mix well to coat the spicy masala.

• Spread the coated nuts on a baking sheet and roast'em for 10 mins by stirring twice in the middle.

• Let completely cool and store'em in an airtight container.