Yes, I know this is not an original recipe.  Most of mine aren’t!  I am simply beginning my blog experience by publishing my 5 favorites…..I wrote a cookbook for my daughters in 1990.  It has been revised 7 or 8 times over the years, and these 5 first offerings represent the things on which I have received the most positive feedback .  ALSO, Ina Garten’s nuts have become MY nuts, which I will explain in the simple recipe:

1 lb. roasted salted mixed nuts or cashews (I get the big jar at Costco)

2 Tbs. minced fresh rosemary leaves (I am so lucky to live in Arizona where rosemary is rampant!)  1/2 tsp. cayenne, 2 tbs. brown sugar, 1 Tbs. kosher or sea salt (or any), 2 Tbs. melted butter

In a 350 degree oven,spread nuts on a cookie sheet and warm for 5 minutes.  Meanwhile, melt butter and other ingredients, put the warm nuts into a bowl, and toss butter mix in.  Now HERE is where these became MY nuts:  I do the same thing with the plain nuts, warming them, but I do a different mix of things I like.  For instance:  1/2 stick melted butter, mix in 1/4 cup brown sugar, one tsp. cayenne, 1 tsp. salt.  IT ALL DEPENDS on your taste……note:  If you choose to put some red chili flake in this mix, you might be sorry.  Because they don’t mix evenly, they are sometimes a shocker when you take a bite…..Ask Me How I Know……