Grillin’ and Tailgating With Fisher Nuts

Summer is gone but thanks to the very social and very popular “tailgate,” the grill will probably be in use for a couple more months. And there may be one food item left on the “not grilled” list that may be the most delicious of all: nuts. (www.fishernuts.com NASDAQ: JBSS).

“The tailgate” has become the event of choice before – and sometimes even after -- football games of all types, from local youth programs through the professionals. Friends and food are often key ingredients for a successful and memorable tailgate and grilled nuts are a fun and easy snack for tailgating. Grilled nuts take the boredom out of the usual snack staples of chips and dips and it’s easy...all a griller has to do is use premium Fisher Nuts varieties, add fire and some smoked flavoring of choice.

Chefs say a mixture of favorite nuts can satisfy everybody but some purists prefer single nut preparations. Chef and Better Recipe (betterrecipes.com) blogger Kristina Vanni developed a spicy sweet recipe for pecans on a backyard grill (http://lowcarb.betterrecipes.com/hot-and-smokin-grilled-nut-munch.html). The same recipe can be used with assorted whole nuts as well. Coating ingredients include butter, Worcestershire sauce, chile power, soy sauce, hot pepper sauce, garlic, brown sugar and cinnamon. Adding either mesquite or hickory chips contributes a sharp, smoky flavor.

Other grilled nut recipes that are easy to find on the Web call for a sweeter, yet salty approach if the host or guests like sweets. One blogger at boiledcorn.com said a grilled nut mix was prepared for a vegan friend, and after smoking the nuts over hickory chips, the final results tasted much like bacon.

Whether your tailgate is for two or for 20, as the party host it can be helpful to have a savory appetizer prepared ahead of time so guests have something to munch on and you can mix and mingle. Simple spiced and smoked nuts fill the need and can be made any time there are low heat coals left after grilling an entrée. The low heat is perfect to avoid burning the nuts, the coals get used and the nuts will keep until the next gathering.

Grilled nuts are also great to bring to an event and one that isn’t likely to be duplicated, but definitely enjoyed. The best recipes start with the best ingredients. Fisher Nuts is committed to quality and expertise and that’s all any great griller needs to know.

Try the grilled nuts recipe from betterrecipes.com to get started using Fisher Chef‘s Naturals Pecan Halves. Grilling them with favorite flavors offers an added kick.

TGIF Grilled Nuts – with many thanks to Kristina Vanni and Better Recipes

Notes: Be sure to use very low heat so they won’t burn. You can use a mixture of your favorite nuts, but Vanni found large pecan halves to be the very best and said they are extra good if you use mesquite or hickory briquettes. A smoker is ideal, but any outdoor grill works well, too.

Vanni used a gas grill and a disposable 9 x 13 pan because it gets really hot under the lid and she didn’t want to ruin her nice pans. She also says to remember to keep your eyes on the grill and stir frequently.

Hot and Smokin’ Grilled Nut Munch

1 Tablespoon butter (no substitutes!), melted

2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

4 teaspoons red chile powder (New Mexico style or ground Ancho chiles)

4 teaspoons soy sauce

2-3 teaspoons bottled hot pepper sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tablespoon brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 cups pecan halves (or assorted whole nuts)

1. Combine the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, chile powder, soy sauce, hot pepper sauce, garlic, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add nuts; toss to coat evenly. Transfer to a 13-by-9-inch disposable foil pan.

2. Arrange mesquite or hickory chips over charcoal or place them in a small foil tray and set on gas coals.

3. Grill nuts over indirect, very low heat for about 25 minutes or until nuts are dry and crisp, stirring every 10 minutes. Watch carefully the last 10 minutes of grilling because the nuts can burn easily.

4. Remove from heat; cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Makes 3 cups nuts.

http://www.betterrecipes.com/blogs/daily-dish/2010/07/30/tgif-grilled-nuts/

John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc., (NASDAQ: JBSS), founded in 1922, is a leading processor, marketer and distributor of baking nuts, snack nuts and nut-based products that are sold in multiple distribution channels. Our products can be found under the Fisher, Orchard Valley Harvest and Sunshine Country brand names and a variety of private labels.

JBSS is committed to helping to protect the environment through various initiatives including energy reduction and packaging that uses plant-based renewable resources in select products. For more information about Fisher products, visit www.fishernuts.com. Follow us on Twitter @fishernutsbrand, become a fan at http://www.facebook.com/fishernutsbrand and visit our blog at blog.fishernuts.com.