Christmas is around the corner and I am always on the hunt for fun recipes that are quick and simple. No one wants to stand and cook for hours if you don't have to. This recipe is a win because it is utterly delicious and will take you 20 minutes to make! The spiced nuts are heaven and in my opinion a dish all on their own! Get ready for a cheese crime scene. If you are anything like me I know that you will be victorious scoring the most nuts! Don't be shy to mix up the berries. I just like the blackberries as they are tart and compliment the sweet nuts perfectly!
Serves 5 as an appetizer,
Ingredients:
- 100 grams pecan nuts, halved
- 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 250 grams camembert, choose one that is in a container to bake.
- 1 1/2 cups blackberries plus a few to decorate
- 1/4 lemon freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- fresh thyme to garnish
- crackers of your choice for serving.
Instructions:
Preheat the oven 180°C
Place the nuts on a roasting tray and roast for 10 minutes to release the flavours.
Meanwhile, add the butter, sugar, and spices along with two tablespoons of water to a pot over a medium heat. Let the mixture reduce but keep an eye on it as it can burn easily. Let the mixture bubble and start to thicken. Once the nuts are ready add them to the pot and stir until they are evenly coated.
Line the roasting tray with wax paper. Spread the nuts out on the wax paper and pop them back into the oven for 10-15 minutes.
When you add the nuts to the oven also add the camembert. It takes about 10-15 minutes to warm up.
In a small pot add the blackberries, lemon, and honey. Bring to a simmer and let it reduce for 5-10 minutes until it reaches a jam-like consistency.
Once the cheese and nuts are ready remove them from the oven. Let the nuts cool for 5 minutes. Add the cheese and crackers to your serving plate. Top the cheese with the berries and nuts. Add a few fresh berries and sprinkle over thyme leaves.
Serve hot and get ready for cheese heaven!
-Melissa