Bianca’s Spiced Nuts

Bianca has always loved nuts and believes every drink should be served with nuts …. or olives. When she was living in the USA she discovered these delicious nuts, often served warm. Let’s revolutionise Australia by adopting this delicious concept. Bianca recommends almonds and pistachios here. To double the recipe, adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and bake the nuts on 2 baking sheets, switching and rotating sheets halfway through baking. 

Orange-Cardamom Spiced Nuts

Bianca recommends almonds and pistachios here. To double the recipe, adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and bake the nuts on 2 baking sheets, switching and rotating sheets halfway through baking. 

Makes 3-4 cups

• 1 large egg white
• 1.5 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pound(500g) unsalted nuts
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

COAT NUTS

• Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position. Heat oven to 300 degrees F.
• Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Coat with cooking spray.
• Whisk egg white, orange juice, zest, vanilla extract, and salt in large bowl.
• Add nuts and toss to coat.
• Drain in colander thoroughly, 4 to 5 minutes. 

SEASON NUTS 

• Mix sugar, ground cardamom, and pepper in large bowl. Add drained nuts and toss to coat.
• Spread nuts evenly on prepared baking sheet and bake 40 to 45 minutes until dry and crisp, rotating sheet halfway through baking time.
• Cool completely. Break nuts apart and serve.
• Nuts can be stored in airtight container for 3 weeks.

Butter Rum Glazed Nuts

These are my favourites.

Makes about 2 cups

• 2 cups raw walnuts or pecan halves
• Warm Spice Mix
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
• Rum Glaze
  • 1 tablespoon rum, preferably dark
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon light brown sugar or dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Instructions

• Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper and spread nuts in even layer;
• Toast 4 minutes, rotate pan. Continue to toast until fragrant and colour deepens slightly, another 4 minutes.
• Transfer cookie sheet with nuts to wire rack.
• For the spice mix: While nuts are toasting, stir together sugar, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice in medium bowl; Set aside.
• For the glaze: Bring rum, vanilla, brown sugar, and butter to boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat, whisking constantly.
• Stir in toasted nuts and cook, stirring constantly with wooden spoon, until nuts are shiny and almost all liquid has evaporated, about 1½ minutes. 
• Transfer glazed nuts to bowl with spice mix; toss well to coat. Return glazed and spiced nuts to parchment-lined cookie sheet to cool.
• Can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

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Pork with Walnuts

We didn’t often eat pork – mainly cause I didn’t know how to cook it without it tasting dry. One day I discovered this recipe which leaves the meat moist and fall off the bone with a rich delicious sauce. It’s a great winter dish suitable for a dinner party or a delicious treat for the family.

Serves 6-8.

8 lean pork loin chops with the rind removed
2 large onions, sliced
1 clove garlic, crushed
1.5 cups canned pineapple juice
1 Tablespoon tomato paste
3 Tablespoons vinegar
2 Tablespoons soya sauce
1.5 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon curry powder
3-4 strips lemon zest – approx from half a lemon
1 cup chopped walnuts
parsley or chopped sultanas to serve with rice (optional)

1. Dust chops with flour and brown in a little olive oil. Remove.
2. Brown sliced onions and garlic over low heat until onions are very brown and add remaining ingredients excluding the walnuts. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes.
3. Place pork chops in a casserole dish in a single layer. If using a Le Creuset casserole dish, use the same dish you used for browning to save on the washing up.
4. Pour onion mixture over top of pork chops.
5. Cover casserole dish and bake for an hour in a moderate over at 180 C (350 F).
6. Serve with rice sprinkled with parsley and/or sultanas and extra chopped walnuts.