Paprika Nuts Mix -- Méli-mélo de noix au paprika

March 9, 2006

During our 3 day hiking/kayak trip at Abel Tasman National Park in the South Island of New Zealand, one of the true pleasures beside the walks and water activities was the dinners prepared for us at the end of the day! Did I already say that I like this? Nothing gets better than someone cooking for you when you are physically tired! On the second night spent at the Meadowbank Homestead in Awaroa, we were glad to arrive after a 17 kms hike. It was about 5 pm and we were looking forward to a nice shower, a drink and snack as we were tired and hungry! And we were not disappointing. Not only did the place and setting looked amazing, but we were welcomed by a choice of refreshing drinks, savoury bread and a mix of paprika nuts, as shown here:

I started eating and then just could not stop. Miam, more, please! I was in search of finding out the flavour I knew.

No no, not this kind of search (We - Keith and P. more precisely just loved to find shells and go for long walks at low tide after dinner) but as I returned to the kitchen, I asked the chef: "There is paprika in the nuts, isn't there?" And the answer was "Yes"! Bingo! There already I had decided that I was going to try to make them myself upon our return. I decided to add sea salt and olive oil as suggested in a recipe I had seen. Very simple but totally lovely. It can be stored in an air tight container.

Paprika Nuts Mix

You need:

250 g nuts (pumpkin seeds, cashews, pecans, sunflower seeds, peanuts) - I also remembered sliced almonds which I will add next time
1.5 tsp Maldon sea salt
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp olive oil

Steps:

Preheat your oven at 150 C (300 F).
Mix all nuts together and place them on a baking sheet. Cook them until golden for 30 mns or so.
Crush the salt and mix with the paprika and oil. Add to the nuts. Mix well and return to the oven for an extra 2 to 3 mns.
Let cool and place in an air tight container.

*And a few shots of Abel Tasman (so hard to choose what to show as there are *so* many good spots there!)*

18 Comments

Kat & Satoshi · March 9, 2006
This nut mixture sounds so simple and spicy. A nice way to end a hike! Your photos are just breathtaking!! :)
GastroChick · March 9, 2006
Your pictures really make me want to return to this beautiful country.
Papilles&Pupilles · March 9, 2006
The pictures are wonderful. I hope that one day I will go and visit Australia & New Zealand !
Béa · March 9, 2006
Ah yes New Zealand is a great place. I bet people must be tired of me saying it ;-) So Gastrochick and Papilles, I will only hope you can go. I am already planning another trip!
Thanks Kat, as usual ;-)! Thanks for coming back!!!
Melissa · March 9, 2006
Hi Bea, your pictures are so beautiful! Thanks for inspiring a little daydreaming on a miserable Scottish day.
fanny · March 9, 2006
Wow beautiful post Bea. I may go to NZ next year for a semester. Fingers crossed...
Fabienne · March 9, 2006
Waou, yours photos are beautiful. I must go in New Zealand... And this recipe is perfect for my next hike. Thank you...
fiordizucca · March 9, 2006
such a beautiful place!
Katy at Pomelo Pleasures · March 9, 2006
Fabulous photos, that tooks super yum and I love your little tericotta bowl it is very sweet!
sha · March 9, 2006
i love nuts.. i must try this then.. every time i see yr page i constantly dream going to NZ... am off to germany for few days.. see u next week
Béa · March 9, 2006
Ah my poor Melissa, is it that bad today in Scotland?? At least it makes ME happy to bring some sunshine in your day!
Fanny, merci! Fingers crossed indeed. If you go, you will LOVE it.
Fabienne, thanks once more. If you decide to go, ask me, I have tons of addresses and friends there.
Francesca, thanks a lot, as usual.
Katy, hello and thanks for stopping by. I see you come from Argentina, which IS my next destination!!!
Sha, you? love nuts? NON! pas possible! You like EVERTHING!! Have fun in Germany!!
bron · March 10, 2006
hehehe... sounds like I may have some visitors! ;-)
Béa · March 10, 2006
Indeed Bron, it looks like it ;-)
bonheursdesophie · March 10, 2006
killing mixture and beautiful pictures. Also wish to go there now ...
EZ · March 10, 2006
ca donne envie ces descriptions et ces photos de nouvelle-zelande !
Virginie · March 10, 2006
You make me dream
Liza · March 12, 2006
La cuisine, la photographie, le trekking en Nouvelle-Zélande… et maintenant ces noix ! Quelle femme cette Béa! What's next ? L'Himalaya avec une charlotte au chocolat ? Préviens-moi car alors je viendrai avec toi:)
Béa · March 12, 2006
Sophie, VIrginie et EZ, il faut y aller. C'est BEAU!
Liza, tu me fais rire...ahahah, oui tu vas voir, le prochain pays, justement la charlotte au chocolat, ce n'est pas une mauvaise idee!!!