Union Square Cafe Bar Nuts
Union Square Cafe was founded in New York City in 1985 by the legendary Danny Meyer. To this day, the restaurant tops the favorite lists of many New Yorkers and has earned the Zagat Survey’s #1 ranking as New York’s most popular restaurant an unprecedented nine times. Everything about Union Square Cafe screams New York. The menu is creative without being overly fussy, the food is elegant while accessible, and the atmosphere is professional while being casual and entirely unstuffy. If you haven’t been, it’s a must and if you have, I know that you can’t wait to get back.
With this said, it’s not surprising the one of the most famous recipes to come out of Union Square Cafe is that for their Bar Nuts. As with everything else about the restaurant, these nuts are simple yet entirely pleasing. They are easy to prepare and a satisfying nibble to carry you through the entertaining season. As a matter of fact, a crystal bowl brimming with these nuts and a couple of glasses of champagne scream, “Happy holidays!” so let the season begin! Enjoy!
Union Square Cafe Bar Nuts
- 1 3/4 lb unsalted assorted nuts
- 2 Tbls coursely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp dark brown sugar
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 Tbls melted butter
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Toss the nuts in a large bowl to combine and spread them out on a cookie sheet. Toast in the oven until they become light golden brown, about 10 minutes (tossing halfway through).
- In a large bowl, combine the rosemary, cayenne, brown sugar, salt and melted butter.
- Thoroughly toss the warm toasted nuts with the spiced butter, adjust seasoning to taste (I add a bit more salt and cayenne).
- Serve warm, ideally, or at room temperature.