Pistachio Pairings: Skinny Sweet and Salty Snacks

I received free pistachio samples from the Pistachio Health Institute mentioned in this post. By posting this pairing I am entering a contest sponsored by Pistachio Health Institute and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

We are nuts about nuts in this house. Peanuts, almonds, walnuts, cashews...you name it. But one nut we will absolutely demolish as soon as it comes in the door is an in-shell pistachio. Maybe it's the bonding the husband and I enjoy as we create a mountain of shells on the coffee table. Over the next week, I'm excited to bring you several menu ideas of how you can enjoy pistachio pairings. First up, is this skinny platter with the right about of spicy, sweet and salty. It's the perfect thing to pull together when friends pop in for a good complaining session or as you catch up on House of Cards. 

In-shell pistachios + smoked sea salt caramels + popcorn with chipotle and rosemary+ light cream soda. 

For the popcorn, air pop it on the stove and skip the microwave! Once it's done popping, toss it in a bit of salt, chipotle seasoning and fresh rosemary leaves. The combo is unbelievable. It's a whole grain and uses spices to season instead of butter. You won't even miss it!

Smoked sea salt caramels....easier to pull off than you would think! Buy caramels from the store, unwrap and press smoked sea salt on top for a perfectly portioned dessert. 

Ahh... light cream soda. While this is technically a diet drink (not a big fan, but work with whatcha got!), you can get the same flavor in a more natural version with Vanilla Dry Soda. This adds a layer of vanilla sweetness that's not overwhelmingly sugary. 

Any of these goodies make your list of snacks?