Cashew Crunch (Vegan)

This is an amazing party food, but is very addictive.  It has a sweet and spicy flavour to it.  These burn very easily, so be extra careful. This is another recipe from my friend Gail.

You will need:

• 2 cups cashews, salted
• 1 tbsp. hot water
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 2 tsp. soy sauce, divided
• 2 cloves of garlic, sliced
• 1 tbsp. ginger, chopped
• 1 tsp. chili flakes
• Zest of one lime
• 2 tbsp. of raw sugar (this is the large crystal sugar)

First you have to split all the cashews in half.  I usually give this job to Rach (as my mother used to say, "she's younger and better looking".

Next make the syrup.  Mix 1 tbsp. hot water and 1 tbsp. sugar, so that sugar is dissolved.  Add in 1 tsp. soy sauce.  Set aside.

Now to blanch the garlic.  Boil a bit of water and throw in the garlic slices for only 10 seconds (no more).  Pat the garlic dry and place in a large bowl with another 1 tsp of soy sauce.  Add in ginger, lime zest and chili flakes and stir.

Add in cashews and stir until nuts are coated.  Stir in sugar/soy sauce mixture very well.  Add in raw sugar.

Lay out on a baking sheet (I used my stoneware) and bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes - stirring once.

You can serve these hot or cold.  We like to make these earlier in the day and serve them later after the flavours have a chance to settle in.  I think I'll go see if Rach wants some right now.

If you have any left (and I'm betting you won't) you can store these in a glass container.