It’s the Holiday Season, and although many of us give all throughout the year, it is during this time our focus turns to displaying our love and friendship through the giving of gifts. Not surprisingly, you might say, I like giving gifts from my kitchen; especially ones that not only have sprung from my creativity, but also match the preferences of the recipient of the gift. Giving gifts from my kitchen is, for me, not only a way to express caring; it is a way to give something of myself.

I have a friend who LOVES spicy foods. Although I don’t give him gifts throughout the year, during the holidays it has become a tradition for me to give him some of my spicy Sriracha Peanuts. I made these for him first a number of years ago, and he has come to expect them ever since. Not that I’m complaining at all, after all cooks love it when people appreciate their creations.

If you like spicy snacks, you will really like this recipe.

SRIRACHA PEANUTS

Ingredients
1 c Peanuts, raw

½ t Salt, Kosher
½ t Red pepper (Cayenne)
¼ t Garlic powder

2 t Sriracha
1½ t Peanut Oil
1 t Rice Vinegar

Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°

Spread the Peanuts out on a baking sheet and roast them in the oven for 10 minutes.

While the peanuts are roasting combine all the other ingredients in a pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat.

Add the roasted peanuts to the pot, stir to coat, then cook for 2 minutes.

Spread the peanuts out on a baking sheet and bake in oven for 8 minutes.

After 8 minutes check, stir, and bake for another 8 minutes.

Stir again and bake the peanuts for an additional 8, making sure not to let them burn.

When they are done they will have lost their raw, green, peanut scent and produce a nice roasted peanut aroma.

Cool completely and enjoy while they last.