Homemade Christmas gifting: Roasted Fennel and Chilli Nuts

Posted on 23 December, 2019

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to feel differently about gift-giving.

Or maybe it’s because as you get older, you no longer need ‘stuff’. Or maybe it’s because you start to appreciate the little things more.

Gift-giving doesn’t mean you have to go out and spend lots of money to make someone feel special.

There is something about receiving a handmade or home-baked gift all wrapped up with a beautiful gift tag. It has thoughtful written all over it!

Here is the second in a series of recipes you can whip up quickly and easily. Perhaps consider doubling the recipes so you get more bang for your buck and get all your gifts done in one hit!

ROASTED FENNEL AND CHILLI NUTS

Ingredients

• ¼ cup caster sugar
• 1 tablespoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• 2 eggs whites
• 4 cups mixed nuts (I love to use a mix of almonds, walnuts and macadamias)

Method

Preheat the oven to 150 degrees and line a baking tray with baking paper. Rub the baking paper with a little bit of vegetable oil.

In a bowl, mix together the sugar, salt, chilli and fennel seeds. In a separate large bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy. Add the nuts and the sugar mixture and gently fold to combine.

Spread the nut mixture over the tray and bake for 40 minutes, mixing everything around about halfway through. Turn the oven off but leave the tray in there to cool.

Divide the nuts into jars and gift them with a handwritten tag and beautiful ribbon.

These nuts are perfect to serve as pre-dinner nibbles with a glass of wine.

Makes about 4 cups.

READ BELINDA’S Homemade Christmas gifting: Rhubarb Jam RECIPE HERE.

This recipe comes from Sophie Hansen’s stunning book ‘A Basket by the Door’. A book full of recipes for comforting gifts and joyful gatherings. Perfect recipes for Xmas gift giving.

Photography: Tim Bean Photography