Welcome to the fifth day of Cathy’s New Year Countdown. It’s been nice to take a couple days off of shopping for/making/eating holiday goodies, but the break is over and it’s back to the kitchen for New Year’s. I know, I know — you were just there a few days ago. But listen. My friend Cheryl has the perfect and most delicious recipe for the remaining festivities, whether you’re going to a party and need to take something or hosting a party and need to feed the multitude. It’s good for football munching and open-house buffets. It’s even perfect to give as New Year’s gifts like you said you’d do instead of giving Christmas gifts. (Remember you said that?) Plus, you’ve probably got all the ingredients on hand already, especially if your friend’s civic club was selling pecans this fall and you mistakenly bought six bags and wondered what you’d ever do with them. Now you know. Here’s the recipe, and check back tomorrow for the sixth day in Cathy’s New Year Countdown.
Spiced Nuts
2 large egg whites
2/3 c. sugar
2 ½ tbsp. Old Bay Seasoning
2 tsp. Worchestershire Sauce
1 tbsp. chili powder
½ tsp. cayenne pepper
½ tsp. salt
6 cups mixed nuts (any combination of untoasted walnuts, pecans, cashews, pistachios)
¼ c. butter, melted
1/3 c. finely grated parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line two large baking sheets with foil or parchment. Grease lightly and set aside. Position a rack in center of oven. In large bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy. Gradually add sugar, beating to a loose, meringuelike texture. Beat in Old Bay Seasoning, Worchestershire sauce, chili powder, cayenne and salt. Add nuts and butter and stir well to coat evenly. Add parmesan and mix again. Divide nuts between baking sheets, spreading evenly in a single layer. Roast 30-40 minutes to a golden brown (don’t let nuts darken too much), rotating sheets during cooking for even roasting. Line a work surface with foil or parchment. After removing the nuts from the oven immediately slide onto the foil or parchment. Cool completely. Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to three weeks. ( I never have put mine in refrigerator.)
Note: My friend Sherry says these are wonderful warmed up. Put them in the oven on 300 degrees for 10 minutes and then at 350 degrees for 5 more minutes.
Coffee with Cathy 
This recipe looks delicious!
Stopping by from SITS. Those nuts sound really yummy.
Tiffany and Lecia — I promise you, you will love these. They truly are unlike any other recipe, and the idea to warm them up later is like getting a double dose of fabulousness.
ooo Cathy I LOVE spiced nuts! Thanks for the recipe! And thanks for your kind comments about my neighbor Joan. It will take her quite a while to recover from her injury!! Have a wonderful and safe New Years!!
just read your comment to Lecia about the Story of Edgar Sawtelle. I enjoyed the book up to the end, which was terrible. Also I was disappointed by the way the author ended Almondine’s thread of the story. Never could figure out if Oprah ever had the author on her show.
Ina — Thank you! I absolutely agree with you on those points, which are two of the most annoying things about this book. It’s like the author had a plan and then got tired of it and ditched his outline in favor of a quick exit. Bleh.
Hi again, not to belabor this point…. but yes, he took 10 years to write it…. almost took me 10 years to read it but once I got beyond the point of no return I had to finish it and I COMPLETELY agree with you about him writing a quick exit. Happy New Year, Amen, now I am done with my rant! Too bad you don’t live nearby! Would love to have coffee with Cathy live!