Chili Lime Roasted Peanuts
This post comes to you thanks to a partnership with the Georgia Peanut Commission. You can learn more about the Georgia Peanut Commission by clicking here.
This is the time of year when I want to just sit outside in the cooler air and drink in the sights and smells of the season. Usually, I’ll catch the scent of a bonfire from a neighbor’s yard, or the smell of hamburgers on the grill. It feels like such a beautiful collision of summer and fall. Last night, as I thought about these sensational observations, I remembered going for walks around our neighborhood when we lived in Tokyo, Japan. In the evenings, we would guess what everyone was having for dinner. We would always smell sesame oil, sometimes grilled fish…it was fun imagining what the people around us were sitting down at their table to eat at the end of a long day.
During our time in Japan, I also traveled to Thailand twice. Walking around Bangkok, I would smell fish sauce, soy sauce, mint, Thai basil…so many vibrant scents wafted through the air.
No matter where I go, I love how the smells are so different but somehow feel like home. Hamburgers on the grill, s’mores over a bonfire, sesame oil drizzled over white rice, or noodles tossed with a cool, spicy broth…it all reminds me that all across the globe, people are feeding and caring for one another.
These chili lime roasted peanuts are inspired by my time in Asia. They are sweet, salty, and of course have an umami depth thanks to fish sauce and soy sauce. Once the peanuts are roasted with all those beautiful flavors, they are livened up with some fresh herbs and maybe a drizzle of lime juice or a sprinkle of zest. Basically, they’re the perfect snack or game day food.
And while you’re making and enjoying this delicious treat, you can print out some fun activities for your kiddos to work on! I love the fun resources The Georgia Peanut Commission provide. There’s even a great book you can purchase from their website (food photo at the end courtesy of yours truly)!
Chili Lime Roasted Peanuts
Makes 2 cups
2 cups raw, skin on, Georgia peanuts
3 tablespoons cane sugar
Zest and juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon fish sauce
8 whole fresh or dried Thai chiles
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1 teaspoon neutral oil (peanut oil works beautifully, too!)
Optional: garnish with fresh lime zest, fresh basil, mint, and cilantro.
Preheat the oven to 375° F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Set aside.
Combine the sugar, lime zest and juice, basil, fish sauce, cayenne, and oil in a medium bowl. Whisk to combine. Toss the chiles and peanuts with the spice mixture to coat.
Spread peanuts on prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally to prevent burning.
Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring the peanuts to a serving bowl. Garnish, if desired, with additional toppings. These can be stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days, but are best when freshly made.
