Pairing The Ultimate #Ocsober Summer Refreshment With Sweet And Salty Nibbles

By now you’ve heard all the talk around low ABV (alcohol by volume) cocktails making the trends for Summer 2020, and with Angostura’s Rock Shandy campaign kicking into full swing, we have just the right snacks to make your home entertaining with family and friends that much better!

SWEET-SALTY BITTER GLAZED NUTS

(MAKES 3 CUPS)

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 6 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 – 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 3 cups nuts of your choosing
  • 2 Tbsp Angostura aromatic bitters

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 150°C with your oven rack in the middle. Melt butter with Angostura aromatic bitters in the microwave or a pan on the stovetop. Add sugar, salt and cinnamon; stir well.
  2. Add nuts to your bowl or pan and stir until well coated. Line a large, rimmed sheet tray with baking paper and spread your coated nuts out evenly. Roast for 13-16 minutes or until golden brown. Leave them to cool, then use your fingers to break up clusters.
  3. When completely cooled, transfer nuts to serving bowls or store in an airtight container.

FIESTA MEATBALLS

Ingredients

  • 500g lean ground beef
  • 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
  • 1 Tbsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp Angostura aromatic bitters

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Lightly grease a large sheet tray. Place ground beef in a medium bowl.
  2. In a small bowl, stir together breadcrumbs, cayenne pepper, cumin, oregano and salt. Stir in onion and garlic.
  3. Sprinkle over meat in two batches, cutting into meat with the side of a large spoon.
  4. Whisk together egg and Angostura aromatic bitters.
  5. Drizzle over meat, cutting in with spoon. Form into 3cm meatballs and place on baking tray.
  6. Bake for 16-18 minutes. Serve or store in an airtight container until ready to eat.

CRUNCH MIX

Ingredients

  • 3 cups crunch mix (any combination of mixed nuts and pretzels)
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 2 Tbsp kosher salt
  • 2 Tbsp onion powder
  • 2 Tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 Tbsp Angostura aromatic bitters

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 120°C. Put your crunch mix on a large, ungreased rimmed sheet tray.
  2. Melt butter with Angostura aromatic bitters in a small glass measuring cup in the microwave.
  3. Stir in remaining ingredients until salt is dissolved.
  4. Drizzle over your crunch mix, gently stirring to coat as much as possible.
  5. Bake for about 40 minutes or until mixture looks golden and crunchy.
  6. Transfer hot mix to another tray or piece of foil and allow to cool completely. Serve or store in an airtight container until ready to eat.

ANGOSTURA BITTERS GLAZED POPCORN

Ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 8 cups popped popcorn
  • 6 Tbsp Angostura Bitters

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 160°C. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat the butter, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and Angostura aromatic bitters, whisking occasionally until the sugar dissolves and a glaze has formed (approximately 3 – 5 minutes).
  3. Place your popcorn in a large mixing bowl, pour the glaze over the top and use a rubber spatula to make sure the popcorn is evenly coated.
  4. Spread the popcorn onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  5. Remove from the oven, and place it on a wire rack to cool.
  6. The glaze will harden as it cools. Serve warm or at room temperature.