Chai-Cherry Fruit and Nut Mix

From Sunset magazine February 2011. A dried fruit and nut topping for your hot cereal or yogurt.

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Yields: 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cardamom
• 1⁄8 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1⁄16 teaspoon  ground star anise (my addition)
• 1⁄8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon black pepper
• 2  teaspoons brown sugar
• 2  teaspoons  oil (I tried grape seed oil)
• 1 1⁄2 cups walnut pieces
• 1⁄2 cup dried tart cherry (tart not sweet)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a bowl whisk together the spices, salt and pepper.
3. Stir in the brown sugar, oil and walnut pieces. Mix together until the nuts are evenly coated.
4. Spread the nut mixture on a parchment lined rimmed baking sheet.
5. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, stirring the nuts occasionally while baking to brown evenly.
6. Set nuts aside to cool completely then toss them with the dried tart cherries.
7. Use an airtight covered container to store.
8. This mixture was delicious garnished on top of a bowl of brown rice hot cereal.