Heart Healthy Honey and Sriracha Cashews

Did you know that cashews are actually the seed of the fruit on the cashew tree? Cashews have been enjoyed for thousands of years. They not only taste great, but they have some great health benefits as well. Even though they are high in fat, most of the fat is unsaturated and much of it is monounsaturated. Translation: these are heart healthy fats! A recent study in the British Journal of Nutrition noted that those who ate nuts four times per week had a 37% reduced risk of heart disease compared to those who rarely or never ate nuts! Keep in mind that a serving is just a handful of cashews. While it's best to eat them plain, most people like them salted. Spices are a great way to add flavor while still enjoying the nutritional benefits cashews have to offer. 

Sriracha sauce is one great way to give a dish some flavor. A little of this sauce goes a long way, so not much is needed. Add a little ginger to infuse even more flavor. Again, not much is needed. That’s the great thing about using spices – a little goes a long way!

A handful of these cashews can make a great snack to tide you over until your next meal. Or, try adding them to a grilled chicken salad for a little extra crunch!

Honey and Sriracha Roasted Cashews

Ingredients:

2 cups whole cashews

1/4 cup honey

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon sriracha

1/4 teaspoon minced ginger  or a pinch of ground ginger

Directions

1) Preheat oven to 350°f

2) Mix together honey, sriracha, oil and ginger. Add cashews and mix until well combined. Spread them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

3) Bake cashews in preheated oven for 6 minutes, then take them out and stir them around. Bake for another 6-8 minutes until they reach your desired color. Let them cool (about 10 minutes) before eating.

Adapted from thehungryhedgehog.com