Thai Cashew Snack Mix- A sweet & spicy challenge

Boy, I sure do love a food challenge! And when a friend challenged me to replicate a pricy and hard to find snack he liked, I was eager to jump at the chance because I enjoy this snack too.

Here is my recipe for Sahale's Sing Buri Cashew Mix. Surprisingly I got it pretty on point on the first try and now I must spend the rest of the day using all of my restraint to not eat the whole batch.

Thai Cashew Snack Mix
cooking spray
4-6" pieces lemongrass, cut into 2" chunks
1 red chili- seeded, large chunks
1 cup water
3/4 cup organic cane sugar
1/3 cup dark agave
1/4 cup mirin
2 tbl tamari
1 tbl rice vinegar
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp onion powder
2 cups roasted, salted cashews
1 cup roasted, salted peanuts
1/2 cup small dice, dried (sweetened) pineapple
2 tbl black sesame seeds, untoasted
2 tbl white sesame seeds, untoasted

Preheat the oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with foil and grease with cooking spray.
Combine the lemongrass, chili, water, sugar, agave, mirin, tamari, vinegar, ginger, cayenne and onion powder in a small pot and bring to a boil. Cook for 15 minutes until the mixture has reduced and is thick and syrupy. Remove the lemongrass and chili pieces. You should have approximately 3/4 cup of syrup.
In a large bowl, combine the cashews, peanuts and dried pineapple. Pour over 3/4 cup of the syrup and toss to combine.
Spread in an even layer on the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the sesame seeds on top. Cool before enjoying!