I’m a snacker. In fact, I never like to have the stuff around in the house because I will devour it all in one sitting. I kid you not. So when I do get the craving for that salty-crunchy-sweet-and-maybe-spicy bite, I like to take the homemade route, and whip up a batch of trail mix.
Last Christmas, you remember me loving on Georgia-grown Schermer Pecans. And I love them looong after the holidays are done. For my homemade trail mix, I use both their plain pecans and cinnamon pecans, along with salty pistachios and crispy sesame sticks. To add a chewy, fruity punch, I mix in sweetened dried cranberries and some orange peels. But THE secret, my friends, is all in the fresh OJ and egg whites. It coats the trail mix, allowing the brown sugar, salt and chile pepper to cling to it all in the best, best way. I mean my mouth is watering just thinking about it!
Of course, the beauty with trail mix is you can add anything you heart desires. Though, I do highly, highly recommend the Schermer Pecans with whatever you do choose…they’re divine! Enjoy! Truly, MKR
P.S. More goodness with pecans on the blog: Roasted Squash & Quinoa Salad, Skillet Caramel Cinnamon Rolls and Maple Glazed Pumpkin Bread Bites
- 2 cups schermer plain pecans
- 1 cup cinnamon schermer pecans
- 1 cup shelled pistachios
- 2 cups sesame sticks
- 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
- 8-10 thin orange peels
- 3 tablespoon fresh orange juice
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 1/2 tablespoon dark brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground chipotle chile pepper
- Preheat oven to 250°.
- Combine orange peels, orange juice & egg white in a large bowl; stir with a whisk. Stir in plain pecans & pistachios. Combine sugar, salt, and chipotle. Add to pecan mixture; toss well. Spread mixture in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 250° for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from oven; cool completely. Stir in cinnamon pecans, sesame sticks and cranberries.
- Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
I want to try this.