Ingredients
Spice Mix
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
Other Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons grapeseed oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 cup raw unsalted almonds
- 1 cup raw unsalted cashews
- 1/2 cup diced dried apricots
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for roasting the nuts.
- Prepare the spice mix: In a small bowl, combine ground cumin, cinnamon, coriander, chili powder, turmeric, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, allspice, and mustard powder. Mix these spices thoroughly to ensure even flavor distribution.
- Infuse oil and lemon zest with spices: Place a large saucepan over low heat. Add grapeseed oil, lemon zest, and 2 teaspoons of the prepared spice mix to the pan. Warm gently to release the flavors into the oil.
- Coat the nuts: Add the raw unsalted almonds and cashews to the saucepan. Stir continuously to fully coat the nuts with the spiced oil and zest mixture.
- Arrange nuts for roasting: Spread the spiced nuts in a single even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- First roast: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the nuts for 10 minutes. This initial roasting begins to develop their flavor and toast the spices.
- Stir and continue roasting: Remove the tray carefully, stir the nuts to ensure even roasting, and return them to the oven. Bake for an additional 10 minutes to deepen the toast and crunch.
- Cool and drain: Once roasting is complete, allow the nuts to cool for a few minutes. Then transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to soak up any excess oil, ensuring a perfect crispy texture.
- Combine with dried fruit and serve: Place the cooled spiced nuts into a serving bowl and mix in the diced dried apricots and golden raisins. The sweet fruit complements the savory spice mixture, creating a delicious snack.
Notes
- Use parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent nuts from sticking during baking.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control the spice heat according to your taste.
- Allow the nuts to cool completely to achieve maximum crunchiness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
- This recipe can be easily doubled for larger batches.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Moroccan