Maple-Spice Candied Nuts

Crunchy, sweet, and loaded with spice, these candied nuts are so easy to make and forever versatile. Great around the holidays, perfect for snacking, and excellent for topping cakes and desserts.

maple candied nuts

maple-spice candied nuts

2 1/2 cups unsalted mixed nuts
1/4 cup finely chopped candied ginger (not crystallized)
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 cup pure maple syrup

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Put the nuts, candied ginger, salt, and spices in a medium bowl. Put the maple syrup in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute without stirring. Remove from heat. Pour the syrup over the nut mixture. Toss well to combine. Spread onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake until the nuts are golden and fragrant, about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring every 5 to 7 minutes. Cool completely on the pan before breaking into pieces. 

Crispy Potato Chips with Onion Kale Dip

Homemade potato chips take no time at all, and offer a deep potato flavor you just can’t get from a bag. Served alongside an addictive dip, this classic duo is a sure winner for everyone.

chips and kale onion dip

Crispy Potato Chips with Onion-Kale Dip

Onion Kale Dip
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
3 cups chopped kale leaves, packed
1 package (454g) medium-firm tofu, drained
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
2 teaspoons  apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Sea salt to taste
Cayenne pepper to taste

Potato Chips
2 russet potatoes, washed and sliced into paper-thin slices
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt

To make the dip, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a medium skillet. Add the onion. Cook until soft, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic and kale. Cook until the kale leaves are soft and the garlic is fragrant, about 3 minutes longer. Remove from heat.

Put the tofu, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, cider vinegar, onion powder, a sprinkle of salt, and a few dashes of cayenne pepper in a food processor. Process until smooth. Add the onion mixture. Process again until smooth. Taste for seasonings, adding additional salt and cayenne as needed (lots of cayenne is delicious here!). Refrigerate at least 3 hours, though the flavors will come together even more overnight.

To make the potatoes, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper or a Silpat. Put the sliced potatoes in a bowl filled with water. Let soak 5 minutes. Rinse well, until the water runs clear. Dry thoroughly.

Toss the potato slices with the oil, salt, and pepper, mixing well. Spread the potatoes onto the prepared pan in a single layer. Bake for about 12 to 20 minutes until browned, depending on thickness (if you weren’t consistent in your slices, you might have to check, remove some from the pan, and bake others longer). Once they are all baked, transfer them to a bowl and set aside.

Fresh Cranberry Almond Truffle Squares

Using fresh cranberries in this incredibly easy vegan treat offers a tart twist to the sweetness of chocolate and the nuttiness of the almonds.

cranberry truffle squares

Fresh Cranberry Almond Truffle Squares

1 1/4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
2 cups nondairy semi-sweet chocolate chips, such as Enjoy Life
1/2 cup icing sugar, sifted
1/4 cup full-fat canned coconut milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup almonds, toasted

Line an 8-inch square metal pan with plastic wrap.

Put the cranberries and maple syrup in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then boil on high for 5 minutes, until the liquid is reduced and the consistency is similar to jam. Remove from heat. Stir in the chocolate chips and mix until they are completely melted. Add the remaining ingredients. Mix well. Stir in the almonds. Pour into the pan, spreading evenly. Cover and chill overnight. Store in the fridge until serving.