Trio of Spanish Nibbles: Olives, Almonds & Chickpeas

I saw this on a holiday episode of 30-Minute Meals with Rachael Ray, and it looked like the most absolutely easiest and elegant nibbles to set out for your holiday guests. Will definitely not ruin their appetites.

• Ready In: 18 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 4  cups  mixed good-quality  olives
• 3 -4  slices  orange peel
• 3 -4  slices lemon peel
• 1  teaspoon  crushed  red chili pepper flakes
• 1  teaspoon fennel seed (1/3 palm full)
• 2 -3  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2  cups  marcona  almonds or 2  cups  toasted peeled  whole almonds
• 2 (15 ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 2  teaspoons  smoked paprika
•  salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Make a double layer pouch of foil for the olives. Add citrus peel, red pepper flakes and fennel seeds to olives, then top with olive oil. Seal the pouch and shake it to distribute the spices and oil. Place in hot oven at any temperature or on outdoor grill to heat them through.
2. Place the almonds in a small decorative serving dish.
3. Place chick peas in a medium skillet over medium heat and cook 15 minutes until crisp and dry. In the last 5 minutes, season the chick peas with paprika, salt, and pepper. (If you season them up too soon, the paprika will blacken and become bitter.).
4. Place the chick peas in a small serving bowl.
5. Place the olives on a platter and cut the pouch open to expose them. Place the small serving dishes for nuts and chick peas on the platter alongside olives. Place a ramekin or other small cup out to collect olive pits.