Brazil nuts are an interesting, somewhat mysterious nut. We see almonds, pistachios, pecans and walnuts used on a more regular basis, but brazil nuts? Curiosity got the best of me and I saw that there are a ton of brazil nut recipes online and here's one of mine.

I've never really cared for brazil nuts. Most recently I was in a position where I needed a quick snack and pick-me-up and the only nuts I had on hand were brazil nuts - my wife loves them. Since I know there's way to make pretty much anything taste good I took on my own challenge and made a filling, quick and convenient snack using the brazil nuts we had on hand and they actually tasted good to me!!!

Honey Spiced Brazil Nut and Raisin Snack Recipe
1 cup brazil nuts
1/4 cup raisins
1 tbsp anise seeds
3 tbsp raw honey

Take the brazil nuts, wash and dry them. Add them to small mixing bowl. Add raisins, anise seeds and stir. Add raw honey and fold together until thoroughly incorporated. Serve or refrigerate for a chilled sweet and then serve.

For the nutritional benefits alone, brazil nuts are great to have on hand. A 1 oz serving can contain more than enough selenium, up to seven or eight times, so you don't need a lot to meet your needs. Why is this important? Well, selenium helps protect you from cellular damage. It's an antioxidant. It helps with the thyroid gland and keeping the immune system functioning properly. It's also got a great source of magnesium, copper and potassium.

Nuts tend to be a powerhouse of concentrated nutrients anyway. It's hard to go wrong with nuts when you need a quick pick-me-up, that is packed full of protein, a good fat source as well as a great way to curb the appetite with is slower rate of digestion. As with everything... you want to be sensible with your moderation, but when on a vegetarian diet nuts and seed are great for making up your protein requirements on a regular basis while delivering much needed vital minerals.

You can take this recipe and dress it up further by adding some chopped dried, unsulphured apricots, dried figs, cranberries, pineapple, papaya etc. creating more flavors to meet your tastes. If you want more of a nutty finish, try toasting the brazil nuts on the stove top or in the oven on a low heat (between 200 - 250 degrees) until they give off their aroma. It's totally up to you and the mood of the day.

For a more beautiful presentation... plate it in a decorative bowl or hollow out an apple or another fruit half and stuff it with the honey-spiced brazil nuts and raisins.

If you do this I guarantee you'll become a believer.

For more information or to have one of your questions answered, drop me a line, stop by my forum, join my Vegetarian Resource Newsletter and definitely stay tuned in as I bring you more articles to help you effortlessly achieve your best, health, well being and wholeness throughout the life of your diet.

As always it's been great sharing with you. Until next time...