Everybody likes something to munch on for extra energy, or to accompany that glass of wine earned by a day of unpacking! You may think you’ll never find ancho-chile powder, but McCormick packages it, and it is readily available at most grocery stores. It’s really important to keep the heat on low in this recipe, because the nuts and spices are inclined to get too brown.

Ingredients

　　4 tablespoons unsalted butter

　　1 cup pecans

　　1 cup cashews

　　2 teaspoons light-brown sugar

　　2 teaspoons ancho-chile powder

　　1 teaspoon kosher salt

　　1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

　　1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

　　1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

　　Melt the butter in a large skillet over low heat. Stir in the nuts, the sugar, and the spices, and toast them together for about 6 minutes. Transfer to a sheet tray, and cool completely. Put the spiced nuts in a Mason jar, and tie with a bow to give as a gift.

　　Reprinted with permission from The Neelys' Celebration Cookbook by Pat and Gina Nelly. Copyright © 2011 by Pat and Gina Nelly with Anna Volkwein. Excerpted by permission of Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.Pat and Gina Neely are restaurateurs, best-selling authors, popular speakers, and hosts of the Food Network hit series Down Home with the Neelys. They recently opened their first New York City restaurant, Neely's Barbecue Parlor. They live with their daughters in Memphis, where they enjoy cooking at home with family and friends.Ann Volkwein is a best-selling food and lifestyle author based in New York City and Austin, Texas. Her previous books include: The Arthur Avenue Cookbook, Chinatown New York, Mixt Greens (with Andrew Swallow), and, with Guy Fieri: Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives; More Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives; and Guy Fieri Food.