Here's to good food!

I am finally putting my tried and true family recipes here. Check out my old-time favorites as well as newly discovered ones.

I hope you'll find some recipes here that you enjoy cooking, and those you cook for will find them tasty and satisfying.
Are you looking for something special? Something quick and easy? You'll find it here somewhere.
Check in often to see what's cooking in Monterey!

One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating. ~Luciano Pavarotti

If you are posting from this site, please give appropriate credit and notify me. Thank you.

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Sweet Spiced Nuts

These are so addicting!  If they are out, it is so easy to grab a handful and munch, then go back for another handful!  Keep them in an airtight container, and they will keep for a few weeks.  They are a great gift in an attractive glass jar, tied with a festive ribbon.

1/4 C butter (1/2 stick)
1/3 C dark-brown sugar
1/2 C white granulated sugar
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg, chile powder, ground cumin*
1/8-1/4 tsp smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and/or black pepper*
1 pound walnut or pecan halves (about 5 cups)
1 egg white, room temperature
1 tablespoon water

Preheat oven to 325°F.  Line a 13”x18” sheet pan with heavy duty foil. Cut butter into 4-5 slices and lay in pan.  Place in oven to melt.  Remove when melted, but you may need to put back into the oven briefly to liquefy it again later.

Mix sugars, salt, and *whatever spices you want to use, making sure there are no lumps; set aside. Beat egg white and water until frothy but not stiff. Add walnuts, and stir to coat evenly. Sprinkle nuts with sugar mixture, and toss until evenly coated.  Carefully pour in the melted butter and mix again.  It’s not necessary to get it all the butter, because it will keep the nuts from sticking.

Spread the nuts into a single layer in the buttered pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.  They will look golden when done.  Watch carefully during the last 10 minutes so they don’t burn.  Remove from oven, and let the nuts cool. When completely cool, pour the nuts into a bowl, breaking up any that stick together.

These are great for munching on, but also good chopped coarsely and sprinkled on ice cream, or whipped cream on any dessert.

No comments:

Post a Comment