Pepper Cashew and Honey Chilli Sumac Almonds | Movie Night Treats.....

How can movie dates be complete without popcorn and some easy munches ? That's right -  This week on Blogging Marathon you would see some healthy but tempting snacks that can be passed around on a movie night. I did make popcorn for this theme but thought would be too simple :)) perhaps post it for some other day....

That's when I remembered my recent flight to London and an idea of microwaved spiced nuts struck me. Cashew nuts are my weakness - I add them to anything from kheer to grind rich gravies. Thankfully the girls love them too. And these were gone before I could click them properly, and were these nutty treats a hit :)) To appease the husband who is staying away from cashew nuts, made sumac flavoured honey chilli almonds.

So make these in a large quantity for your next movie night as am sure these will be gone in minutes. With moderated quantities these can consumed up to a week or a fortnight if stored right.

So, two recipes for healthy microwaved spiced nuts - Pepper Cashew and Honey Chilli Sumac Almonds :

Prep time : 10 mins, Microwave time : 4 mins per batch, Makes : 1 cup each.

For Pepper cashews :

• Cashew nuts (whole) - 1 cup
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper crushed - 1/2 tsp
• Chaat masala - 1/2 tsp
• White pepper powder - 1/2 tsp
• Olive oil - 1 TBSP

How to make :

1. Mix cashews with the rest of the ingredients so that they are coated well. Stand for a min.  Microwave on high on a flat plate for 1 min taking care the nuts don't overlap
2. Take out , stir and microwave for two star of 45 seconds each, mixing them after each 45-second batch.
3. You should get golden coloured crispy cashews at the end of this period. If not, micro for another 30 seconds taking care that they don't burn.
4. Cool for a bit and store in an airtight container. Keeps well on the countertop for up to a week.

For Sumac honey chilli almonds:

• California almonds - 1 cup
• Honey - 1 tbsp
• Red chilli powder / paprika  - to taste
• Sumac powder - 1/2 tsp
• Olive oil - 1 TBSP
• Salt - a little pinch

How to make :

1. Mix all ingredients except honey. Micro in 3 intervals of 1min , mixing the nuts well each time. 
2. For last batch , add honey and mix well and microwave for 15-20 seconds.
3. Cool and store in airtight container.