Mixed Nuts

Mixed nuts are a blend of several nuts in one bag, and the nut and raisin mix adds sweet dried fruit to the savoury crunch. They are the easy option for the dry fruit bowl that sits on the table when guests visit, for Diwali and Eid gift trays, for school and office snacks, and for walkers who want a handful of trail mix in a pocket. Many families keep a jar near the door during festival season, when visitors arrive all day.

Assorted nuts suit snacking and baking alike: chop a handful into granola, flapjacks, brownies or a fruit cake. The nut and raisin mix works as it is, or stirred into morning porridge, yoghurt and muesli. For cooking, a spoon of mixed nuts fried in ghee makes a quick garnish for sheer khurma, kheer, semiya payasam or a festive pulao. Smaller bags suit a family snack; larger bags make sense for gifting, parties and filling several jars.

A glass jar with a tight lid keeps mixed nuts fresh and looks good on the table; avoid leaving them in an open bowl for days, as they soften and lose flavour. For single nuts, see nuts, including almonds, cashews and walnuts, and for more dried fruit see raisins and sultanas.