RCP: Union Square Cafe's Bar Nuts

Tomorrow we have two locally significant NCAA tournament games being played so a friend of mine is hosting a party for the day game and I am hosting the party for the evening game. One of the things I will be making are The Union Square Café’s Bar Nuts. This is NCAA tournament snacking at its best and everyone I know that has tried these nuts loves them. Two notes: be sure to use unsalted nuts. The first time I made this recipe I accidentally used salted nuts in addition to the added sea salt and they came out too salty. The addition of fresh rosemary leaves is critical. Don’t exclude them.

The Union Square Cafe's Bar Nuts


2 1/4 cups (18-ounces) assorted unsalted nuts, including peeled peanuts, cashews, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans and whole unpeeled almonds

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh rosemary leaves

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons dark brown sugar

2 teaspoons sea salt

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Toss the nuts in a large bowl to combine and spread them out on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven until light golden brown, about 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine the rosemary, cayenne, sugar, salt and melted butter.

Toss the toasted nuts in the spiced butter and serve warm.

A few years ago, we went into Manhattan for a day of shopping. And around 5 PM we were tired and wanted a comfortable place to sit down, so we went into the Union Square Cafe for a drink -- just as they were bringing out the warm fragrant nuts. You are right, they are delicious and very memorable, and I have made them at home a few times since. Great idea!

F

I can taste them as I read the recipe...great. I'd love to try them but I am always afraid to make such things because 1 bad nut spoils the bowl. Where are you getting the nuts ? I only use Roundy's if they get chopped and mixed with a lot of other ingredients

Gotta add my two cents--I used to work at USC--The best nut for this is hands down the pecan, bec. all the sugar/salt/hot/rosemary-y mix nestles in the crevices of the pecan. Of course, I've not been known to refuse any other combo, but these days, I only use the pecans when I make these (a batch is sitting on my counter now...)

"Mr Risch, my mom loves your nuts!!"

[Jenise]

Love these--I often make them for parties. They're especially good with champagne on NY Eve.