Indian Spiced Cashews Food

INDIAN-SPICED CASHEWS

Steps:

• On parchment paper-lined or greased rimmed baking sheet, toast cashews in 350°F (180°C) oven until fragrant and golden, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, combine 2 tbsp (25 mL) of the sugar, salt, curry powder and cumin; set aside.
• In saucepan, bring water, remaining brown sugar and butter to boil, stirring constantly. Add cashews, stirring to coat; simmer until no liquid remains, about 3 minutes. Add to spice mixture; toss to coat well.
• Spread nuts on same baking sheet; roast until coating is dry and slightly golden, about 10 minutes. Let cool on pan on rack. (Make-ahead: Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.).

SPICY CASHEWS

Steps:

• Place a medium-size saute pan over medium heat. Add olive oil and cashews and toss to coat. Add chili powder, salt, and pepper and toss until warmed through. Remove from heat and serve. They will crisp as they sit.

INDIAN-SPICED NUTS WITH COCONUT

Steps:

• Make the garam masala: Put the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and green and black cardamom seeds in a spice grinder and pulse until finely ground. Store in an airtight container, away from direct sunlight, up to 6 months.
• Make the nuts: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix the peanuts, pecans, coconut, vegetable oil, cumin, coriander, 2 teaspoons of the garam masala and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl and pour onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake 40 minutes, rotating halfway through for even baking. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. (If you want, serve the nuts in little parchment-paper cones!)

INDIAN SPICED CASHEWS, PISTACHIOS AND CURRANTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 with rack in the middle.
• On rimmed baking sheet with silpat or parchment toast cashews 4 minutes, rotate and 4 more minutes.
• Add pistachios and toast 2 more minutes then move to wire rack.
• Mix the spice mix together in a bowl.
• Bring glze to a bowl over medium high heat, stirring constantly.
• Stir in nuts and stir until shiny and liquid is evaporated, about 1.5 minutes.
• Put nuts and currants in spice bowl and toss well to coat.
• Put back on baking sheet to cool.

SPICY INDIAN RICE

Steps:

• Fry the onions in the sunflower oil in a large frying pan for 10-12 minutes until golden.
• Fill a roomy saucepan with water, bring to the boil and tip in a heaped teaspoon of salt - the water will bubble furiously. Add turmeric and the cinnamon stick to the water. Pour in the rice, stir once and return to the boil, then turn the heat down a little so that the water is boiling steadily, but not vigorously. Boil uncovered, without stirring (this makes for sticky rice) for 10 minutes. Lift some out with a slotted spoon and nibble a grain or two. If they're too crunchy, cook for another minute and taste again. They should be tender but with a little bite. Drain the rice into a large sieve and rinse by pouring over a kettle of very hot water
• Stir the crushed seeds of the cardamom pods into the onions with the cumin seeds and fry briefly.
• Toss in a large handful of sultanas and roasted cashew nuts, then the hot drained rice. This is great with curry and will also give an exotic edge to grilled meat or fish.