Caramelised nuts with chilli and fennel

• sugar↗600g g
• fennel seeds↗1 tbsp tbsp
• dried chilli flakes↗1½ tsp tsp
• mixed nuts350g g

  (we used a mix of Brazil nuts, macadamia, pecan, pistachio and walnut)

• sea coarse salt↗1½ tsp tsp

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Place sugar and 150 ml water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce heat by half, but do not allow caramelisation – quickly remove from heat if it starts to happen.

2. 2

   Put fennel seeds and chilli into a mortar and gently crush with a pestle (or use a heavy pot and rolling pin) just enough to slightly crack the seeds and soften the chilli.

3. 3

   Add the fennel and chilli to the sugar together with the nuts and 1½ tsp sea salt, stirring quickly so the sugar crystallises. Spread the nuts from the pan onto a baking sheet lined with non‑stick parchment. Let cool.