Tasty Almond Snack Time!

I'm trying to bump up nutrition in the Hlushak household.  Now that rehab is starting and we're all a little, well, under-shape around here, it's time to throw away La Favorita's, and the Oreo's (actually, I didn't throw them away. . .I am going to still eat them), and make some alterations in our snacking habits (baby steps).

Andy is a savory person by nature.  He likes potatoes (and dislikes sweet potatoes-why?!).  He likes chips over cookies (crazy, right?).  And he likes long strolls in the park instead of running (when I read this part to him he rolled his eyes. . .but it was the good kind of eye roll, like, "my wife is ridiculous").  See, he is savory.  So when it comes to snacks, it's time to put my sweet tooth on hold and bust out the seasonings.

Andy being savory.  I love this man.

Here are some Savory (and a little sweet, I couldn't resist) Chipotle Almonds (adapted from Cooking Light's Sweet Chipotle Snack mix).  Very quick and easy to make, and will make you so excited for snack time.  

Savory Chipotle Almond Snack

Stuff you'll need:

1 1/2 cup Almonds

1 cup other nut of choice or, I used sunflower seeds-it's what I had in the pantry

1/4 cup dates if you want some sweetness!

1 teaspoon chipotle powder (11/2 teaspoon to make your tongue tingle)

1/2 teaspoon cummin

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoon sugar (totally optional)

1 large egg white

some soy sauce

Chipotle seasoning in bulk is super cheap. Check out Sunflower Market.

parchment paper (no mess. no sticking. no dishes!)

whisk or electric mixer with whisk attachment 

Let's do this!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line jelly roll pan with parchment paper.

Combine chipotle powder through sugar in small bowl.  Mix with spoon.

Whisk egg white until frothy.  Add a few squirts of soy sauce into egg while still mixing.  

Add in spice mixture.  Stir with spatula.

Add in almonds and nuts and dates and mix with spatula.  

Spread onto pan.  

Pop in oven for 13 minutes.

Take out and turn off oven.

Stir nut mixture and return to oven for 10-15 more minutes.  (Don't want to burn, just want it crispy.)

Take out, taste, burn tongue.

Decide to let it cool and then snack away!