Sweet n' Spicy Nuts

Good morning!

Wow we've had some real scorchers here in Ontario this past week. I'm glad to say that the heat wave has finally broken. I'm not really one who loves the humidity. I love hot weather, but I detest humidity and smog in heat wave style. I don't know about you, but I like being able to breath when I go outside and 42* C isn't pleasant. Eep!

There's nothing like a nice refreshing salad on those really hot days. So naturally that's exactly what I'm craving. That and smoothies :)

I found the perfect addition to my salad.

It's sweet. It's spicy...

 It's also the perfect little healthy snack that takes minutes to make.

My dad really loves these too. I can get him to eat salad any day now.

This recipe was adapted from The Eat Clean Diet Cookbook 2.

Sweet n' Spicy Nuts

gluten free, vegan

(servings: 16 x 2 tbsp)

These nuts are a great way to mix up your regular old salad. They are sweet but have a litte kick to them from the cayenne. They also make a great pre workout snack when combined with some apple slices or pear.

Ingredients:

2 cups of your favorite unsalted nuts (I used cashews, almonds, and pecans)

1.5 tbsp organic cane sugar

1 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tbsp molasses

Method:

1. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium high heat. Add the nut mix to the hot dry pan, and toast, watching closely and stirring frequently, until they start to brown and smell fragrant, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. In a medium sized bowl mix 1 tbsp cane sugar, sea salt and cayenne. Add the nuts and molasses to the bowl and stir well to combine. (The heat from the nuts will help the seasonings to melt and stick).
3. Add remaining 1/2 tbsp cane sugar and stir again to evenly coat.

Note: These can be store in a sealed air tight container at room temperature.

Almond Butter & Apple Panini with Cinnamon Creamed Honey

Ugh, It's Monday. Ick.

That's okay though, because as I promised I've got something very special for you that involves both cinnamon and honey. This is magical enough to make you forget it's even Monday people.

You see I discovered this great little place called Simply Tea & Chocolate in downtown Barrie not too long ago. They have a nice big selection of loose leaf teas, locally hand crafted chocolates, comfy couches, and a cozy atmosphere over looking the lake. They also know how to make some really good food that's fresh and health minded. This is where I found the most wonderful sandwich.

Thin slices of apple, almond butter, and honey on whole grain bread all warmed up in a grill press. Who would have ever thought to make a sandwich out of apples? You have to admit its a pretty strange idea at first. It's also very delicious.

So naturally I needed to make my own version because this was just too good. Trust me sandwiches don't get much more exciting than this. Especially if you love all things nut butter.

So instead of just plain bread I used a really good cinnamon raisin bread from the local bakery. Then I took creamed honey (this stuff is from Dickey Bees, Unpasteurized and also local) and mixed it all up with some cinnamon.

Spread that almond butter on nice and thick, it's good for you! (as long as your not allergic of course)

Slice your apples nice and thin so they cook and caramelize a little while in the panini press.

Now for the fun part. Squish!

Oh George Foreman Grill, what would I do without you? You have so many wonderful purposes!

Eewy Gooey toasty goodness! If you love almond butter or any kind of nut butter for that matter, you really need to try this.

Almond Butter & Apple Panini with Cinnamon Creamed Honey

(Makes 1 sandwich)

Ingredients:

• 2 slices of Cinnamon Raisin Bread
• 1 tbsp unpasteurized creamed honey (if its local its tastes better and is better for you)
• about 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp raw almond butter (I used MaraNath's Organic & Creamy No-Salt added)
• 1/3 of an apple sliced very thinly, skin left on

Method:

1. Stir together the honey and cinnamon until nice and creamy, and well mixed.
2. Spread almond butter on one slice of raisin bread.
3. Spread creamed cinnamon honey on the other slice of raisin bread.
4. Add thinly sliced apples to the slice of bread with honey on it and top with the almond butter slice.
5. Place the assembled sandwich in a preheated panini press, or like I'm using, a George Foreman gill, and lower the lid.
6. Grill on the first side for about 4 minutes but make sure you watch it so it doesn't burn (temperatures can vary from one grill to another).
7. Flip the sandwich over and grill on the other side for another 3 minutes or until nice and toasty. The honey and almond butter will be drippy.
8. Transfer to a plate, slice on an angle and enjoy!

My basil plant want's to eat my sandwich!This will be one that you make over and over again.