Life's Nuts Bu Ranch Cashews

Ranch-seasoned cashews from Esplanda's Life's Nuts line, these put a savory, herb-and-dairy-style coating on a nut that is naturally mild, buttery and slightly sweet. Cashews suit this kind of seasoning because they have little bitterness of their own. The flavor you taste is mostly the ranch layer: expect garlic, onion and dried herb notes with a tangy edge, sitting on a soft, creamy crunch. Seasoned cashews like these usually lean richer and rounder than ranch-flavored almonds or peanuts. Serve them at room temperature, straight from the bag or in a small bowl. Chilling dulls the seasoning and firms the nut, so there is no reason to refrigerate them. They work well as a bar-style snack on a board next to something crisp and acidic, such as pickled vegetables, celery and carrot sticks, or sharp cheddar. The tang cuts through the cashew's richness. They can also go over a green salad or a baked potato in place of croutons or bacon bits, and a handful can be crushed over roasted chicken or a grain bowl for crunch and seasoning. For drinks, the best matches are ones with carbonation or bitterness to clear the palate. A pale lager, pilsner or light wheat beer in a pint or pilsner glass is the obvious choice. A dry sparkling wine in a flute, or a highball such as whisky and soda in a tall glass, also suits the savory coating without competing with it. Heavily sweet or oaky drinks tend to clash with the herb and garlic notes. The product details supplied give the name, brand and category only. Nutritional information, nut count and bag size should be checked on the packaging.