David's Spiced Nuts and Pretzel Mix

David Libovitz' blog is one of the first food blogs I discovered when I was doing research for a trip to Paris several years ago. I had never seen anything like it, was immediately obsessed with it, and read every post on the site. Little did I know that blogging would soon become a fun, challenging part of my daily life. Thanks to David, I now have bloggie friends all over the world. Who would have thought???

When David said that he and a friend wolfed down an entire batch of this salty-sweet mixture of glazed nuts and pretzels I knew it must be good. Make a batch and judge for yourself. I give it a "10." To find this recipe and many, many other great posts check out David Libovitz' blog for lots of good reading. If you love Paris you have to stop by for a visit.

Spiced Nuts and Pretzel Mix

• 2 cups mixed raw nuts (I used almonds, hazelnuts and pecans)
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon chili or red pepper powder
• 1-1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt such as fleur de sel
• 2 cups small pretzel twists

Spread the nuts on a baking sheet and roast in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes, stirring once for even toasting.

In a medium bowl mix together the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, pepper and maple syrup.

Add warm nuts and stir until the nuts are completely coated. Then stir in the salt.

Mix in the pretzels, then spread the mixture back on the baking sheet and return to the oven for 12-18 minutes, stirring several times during cooking to make sure the brown sugar isn't clumping. The exact baking time will vary, but the nuts are done when they are nice and toasty, and the mixture is nicely glazed.

Remove from the oven and cool completely, separating the nuts and pretzels as they cool. Store in an airtight container.