Napa Valley Spiced Almonds

It's already the middle of December so I'm beginning to plan dinner for Christmas day. I'm also playing with ideas for appetizers and I think I'll be setting this dish out. It was two summers ago when my dear friend Meg shared this recipe with me. I posted it on my blog then and it has continued to receive a lot of attention, so I'm sharing it with you again. It's subtle, delicious and addictive!


Napa Valley Spiced Almonds

2 C almonds
2 t olive oil
1/4 t cumin
1/4 t cinnamon
1/4 t turmeric
1/2 t fine sea salt
pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the spices. Pour the olive oil over the almonds and toss to coat. Stir the spices into the almonds. Once the spices and almonds are combined and the almonds evenly coated spread them onto a sheet pan. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, checking often. Allow the almonds to cool before serving.

Napa Valley Spiced Almonds

Christmas dinner is on it's way to my house. I love hosting this very special dinner. In fact, my entire family looks forward to it. We enjoy having everyone over, and the fact that they all bring something for the meal makes it that much more fun.

Every year for dinner there are certain constants, but I am always on the look out for new and different recipes to change it up. One morning I made a phone call to my dear friend Meg and she was in the kitchen making spiced almonds (I was still in bed). Anyway, she had this appetizer while on vacation in Napa Valley and brought the recipe home. It sounded delicious, so I quickly jotted down the ingredients and now I'm sharing it with you.

It's good as a snack or great for when you have guests.

Napa Valley Spiced Almonds

2 C almonds
2 t olive oil
1/4 t cumin
1/4 t cinnamon
1/4 t turmeric
1/2 t fine sea salt
pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the spices. Pour the olive oil over the almonds and toss to coat. Stir the spices into the almonds. Once the spices and almonds are combined and the almonds evenly coated spread them onto a sheet pan. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, checking often. Allow the almonds to cool before serving.

Mulled Cider

Here's a great recipe for a before dinner drink that shouts Thanksgiving. The added bonus in making a mulled cider is that the entire house smells wonderful as it cooks.


Mulled Cider

1/2 gallon of cider (64oz.)
3 cinnamon sticks
8 whole cloves
8 whole allspice
1 orange, peel and juice
rum or brandy (optional)

Use a pot large enough to hold all the apple cider. Toast the cinnamon, cloves, and allspice by heating the pan over medium heat and tossing the spices occasionally to prevent burning. The spices should become very fragrant within a minute or two. Add the cider.

Use a vegetable peeler to peel only the orange part of the skin of the orange. You don't want any of the white pith because it imparts a bitter taste. Add the peel then squeeze the juice of the orange into the cider. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat and continue cooking for 20 minutes. Serve.

Maryann's Easy Crockpot Applesauce

My dear friend Maryann recently made some applesauce and delivered it to me (great friend, right?).  Well, it was so yummy, I had to ask for the recipe. Low and behold, I found out she used a crockpot... and I really liked the sound of that! You just put everything into the pot and forget about it. She says her entire house smells amazing when she makes this.

I used it as a side dish and a dessert.... (and as a late night treat... shhhh).

Maryann's Easy Crockpot Applesauce

4 pounds of tart apples (she used Jonagold), pared, cored and thinly sliced (approx. 12 C)

¼  C sugar

1 t. cinnamon

1/4 t.allspice (optional)

1 C. water

1 T fresh lemon juice

Put the apples into a crock pot. Mix in the rest of the ingredients and start the cooking process. Set the crockpot at (either) Low for 5 -7 hours, or High for 2 ½  – 3 ½. Once the cooking is done, smash the apples with a potato masher and serve.