Dec 19
2011

Rosemary Roasted Nuts & The Perfect Party Tray + A Giveaway!!

in Appetizers, Giveaway, Oyatsu/Snack, Recipes by Type

Putting together a party tray

Entertaining during the holidays can be stressful, but pulling together a quick party tray isn’t stressful, and can add a lot to a holiday spread.  I always start with one or two items I know I want to feature, and then I add on from there.  This time I had some beautiful VERDI Castelvetrano olives that I wanted to feature.

VERDI Castelvetrano Olives from Italy

VERDI olives are new to the US and are currently sold in Costco Wholesale Clubs in the Midwest.  The Castelvetrano olives are a beautiful bright green color and have a light buttery taste.  They make a perfect partner to all sorts of items.  VERDI Olives has generously provided a $50.00 COSTCO Cash Card for a giveaway, so one of you can put together your own party tray this holiday season! (Giveaway Details after the recipe.)

Making Marinated Feta Cheese

I decided to make some marinated feta.  I just throw some fresh rosemary and dried red chili pepper flakes in a jar with cubed feta, top it off with olive oil and then let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least a day, but there are many variations you can try, like this recipe from Whole Foods.

Perfect Party Tray

I added some rice crackers and dried apricots to the tray and then I made some rosemary roasted nuts.  This recipe was kindly shared with me by Todd Porter (White On Rice Couple) last week after I tasted some nuts he had made and then begged him for the recipe.  So good.  Toasted nuts are tossed in a mixture of browned butter, fresh rosemary, brown sugar, and smoked sea salt.  I don’t know how roasted nuts can get any better.

Rosemary Roasted Nuts cooling

If you’re looking for a homemade gift to give someone, a jar of these nuts would be perfect!

Rosemary Roasted Nuts

Print This Recipe Print This Recipe

Rosemary Roasted Nuts

Recipe as explained by Todd Porter, White On Rice Couple

Makes 1 pound of nuts

1 pound mixed nuts
1 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
2 teaspoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon smoked sea salt

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the nuts out in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast the nuts in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until golden and fragrant. Stir several times during roasting to prevent the nuts from burning. Transfer the nuts to a large mixing bowl.

2. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the butter, stirring while it melts. Continue to cook until specks of brown develop at the bottom of the pan. Stir these up and continue cooking until the butter turns a golden brown color. Add the rosemary and stir around the pan once or twice, then stir in the brown sugar and remove from the heat.

3. Add the butter mixture to the nuts and toss to coat. Add the sea salt to the bowl, and toss again. Spread the nuts to cool on a lined baking sheet. Serve warm or let cool.


============================================================

VERDI Olives $50 COSTCO Cash Card Giveaway

One reader will win a $50 COSTCO Cash Card.  To enter to win, leave a comment below.  Contest ends Wednesday, December 21, 11pm EST.  Winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be notified by email.

This giveaway is closed, and the winner was chosen.  The winner was comment #42, Eileen Sanborn.  Congratulations!!

* This giveaway was provided by VERDI Olives.

{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }

Meg December 19, 2011 at 1:03 pm

I would have never thought to mix the feta in olive oil. How cleaver!

Reply

Ting December 19, 2011 at 1:08 pm

That’s a clever idea to roast nuts with herb! Now I can’t to wait to try my own!

Reply

Mimi Avocado December 19, 2011 at 1:13 pm

We love olives. When I was five years old my grandfather would tickle me under the table and steal the olives off of my plate! Funny how those simple things become a cherished memory! Will be looking for those special olives!

Reply

Kenny December 19, 2011 at 1:22 pm

Those roasted nuts look incredible!

Reply

Amy Tong December 19, 2011 at 1:23 pm

Wow, these nuts really sound perfect for any party and package as home made gift for the holiday. I’m going to make some tomorrow so I can get them packaged for my friends and family. I love your party tray. Got a little bit of everything I love and looks so beautiful. What an awesome giveaway! Just in time for the Holidays. :)

amy [at] utry [dot] it

Reply

Peggy Standish April 26, 2020 at 5:18 pm

Amy,
I know you responded in 2011 but I’m thinking of making these Rosemary Roasted Nuts for Mother’s Day and sending them to my family. What precautions do I take before packaging?

Thank you and Happy Mother’s Day!

Reply

Paula- bell'alimento December 19, 2011 at 1:25 pm

You know those are my favorite olives right ; ) Lurve.

Reply

Harrison December 19, 2011 at 1:28 pm

cool! i would love to use it to get more appetizers and whatnot!

Reply

Megan December 19, 2011 at 1:33 pm

That feta looks amazing! It’s almost like we get two recipes for the post of one, today. Thank you!

Reply

Tatyana December 19, 2011 at 1:34 pm

I love olives!

Reply

Rachel December 19, 2011 at 1:36 pm

I want to eat your photos! ;)

Reply

Vaishali December 19, 2011 at 1:38 pm

Wow…marinated feta…sounds perfect!

Reply

Kimiko December 19, 2011 at 1:42 pm

I usually make a sweet variation of roasted nuts, so I’ve been looking for something savory. This sounds perfect. Thanks!

Reply

Urban Wife December 19, 2011 at 1:46 pm

Savory roasted nuts – it can’t get much better than that!

Reply

Lisa December 19, 2011 at 1:58 pm

I can eat almost a jar of green olives in one sitting, and those nuts? Forget about it, I’ve actually consumed a whole bowl at the Union Square Cafe! What an amazing munchie tray!

Reply

stacy :) December 19, 2011 at 2:15 pm

Those rosemary nuts look so delicious – I’m going to try them tonight!

Reply

Mika December 19, 2011 at 2:17 pm

Never thought about making marinated feta cheese. Sounds so simple and so delicious!

Reply

suki December 19, 2011 at 2:35 pm

rosemary and nuts – a fantastic combination! :) i want to know when those olives will hit Costcos on the west coast.

Reply

Charlynne December 19, 2011 at 2:48 pm

I’ll definitely look for those olives on my next Costco trip!

Reply

Heather December 19, 2011 at 2:58 pm

Yum! Olive addict here!

Reply

Christopher Sorel December 19, 2011 at 3:01 pm

I love olives and taste good with garlic in the middle or cheese

Reply

Barbara | Creative Culinary December 19, 2011 at 3:10 pm

I have a lovely little rosemary bush shaped like a Christmas tree. I think just for this recipe.

Reply

Kelli December 19, 2011 at 3:35 pm

I have some smoked salt in the cabinet. Going to make the roasted nuts for sure!! Thanks for the tip.

Reply

Sarah H.P. December 19, 2011 at 3:41 pm

This snack tray looks phenomenal!! I could probably eat the entire thing in one go! Great post!

Reply

sara December 19, 2011 at 3:51 pm

Awesome giveaway! That party platter looks so scrumptious, especially the olives! :)

Reply

Miss Meghan @ scratch-made wife December 19, 2011 at 4:10 pm

I absolutely love nuts and would love to use some of my fresh rosemary that’s still growing. Thanks for sharing this recipe! I look forward to trying it out soon. :)

Reply

Bev Weidner December 19, 2011 at 4:24 pm

NEED. THOSE. NUTS.

Reply

Fuji Nana December 19, 2011 at 4:37 pm

Thank you for letting me sample your Rosemary Roasted Nuts. I can verify that they are STUPENDOUS. I’m definitely going to be making some of my own.

Reply

nicole December 19, 2011 at 4:40 pm

mmmm feta mmmm olives mmmm nuts (that’s what she said!) seriously though, those nuts are killer!

ngallo58 at gmail dot com

Reply

Sarah @ pão e queijo December 19, 2011 at 5:18 pm

Oh my goodness, these nuts look amazing! Thanks for the chance to win the giftcard!

Reply

Christa December 19, 2011 at 5:31 pm

We LOVE olives!

Reply

Elizabeth December 19, 2011 at 5:37 pm

I love olives!

Reply

Kathy - Panini Happy December 19, 2011 at 5:58 pm

The nuts look amazing! I made some rosemary candied pecans last week – cant believe I waited this long to pair rosemary with nuts, it’s such a great combo.

Reply

Diane M. December 19, 2011 at 7:06 pm

A beautiful holiday appetizer plate, thanks for sharing the idea and giveaway!

Reply

Terra C December 19, 2011 at 7:30 pm

Those nuts look delicious! I have a new love for toasted nuts, I’m definitely going to have to try those.

Reply

Schmidty December 19, 2011 at 7:52 pm

Wonderful, just wonderful! I will have to try this!

Reply

Ally December 19, 2011 at 7:53 pm

Lookes amazing!

Reply

Lisa December 19, 2011 at 7:53 pm

What great ideas for a party tray!! TFS!! :)

Reply

Kari Howell December 19, 2011 at 8:10 pm

Wow….That looks so good!

Reply

Dorothea December 19, 2011 at 8:19 pm

The Castelvetrano Olives sound wonderful, and your holiday tray is gorgeous – I love your contrast in colors, flavors and textures!

Reply

Rupa December 19, 2011 at 8:51 pm

A great pairing ,tickles your tastebuds .

Reply

scrapper al December 19, 2011 at 8:59 pm

What a yummy spread!

Reply

Eileen Sanborn December 19, 2011 at 9:06 pm

I love this party tray. The colors, unique combination of foods and the simplicity of it. Tofu or nuts or BOTH – great gift ideas!

Reply

Caroline December 19, 2011 at 9:26 pm

I would definitely make a party tray with these roasted nuts! And I’d add some roasted olives, delicious cheeses and some deli meats :)

Reply

Abigail (aka Mamatouille) December 19, 2011 at 9:30 pm

My mom always thought I was an odd kid – at the grocery store I’d always beg her to buy pickles and olives for me! :)

Happy holidays, Rachael.

Reply

The Duo Dishes December 19, 2011 at 9:50 pm

We often do the candied savory nuts. It’s a quick and easy one for parties!

Reply

Kristen Jones December 19, 2011 at 10:02 pm

Mmmmm…looks yummy!

Reply

Broderick @ Savory Exposure December 19, 2011 at 10:10 pm

I’ve had a ton of nuts I’ve had laying around with no idea with what to do with them. Thanks for the recipe idea!

Reply

pam December 19, 2011 at 10:49 pm

very appetizing…think i’ll try the feta.

Reply

Stefani December 19, 2011 at 11:27 pm

I never used to like olives..but my tastebuds must be changing, because now I love them!

Reply

Victoria December 20, 2011 at 4:13 am

Wow. Both of those sound great. Now I know what to bring to our work Christmas Party. Thank you so much for sharing!

Reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: