How to Make your Nuts Irresistible

I’ve often roasted nuts to put in salads, hot cereal, or whatever I’m baking, but for some reason I’ve never roasted my own nuts for snacking. Well, I have been missing out. If you aren’t roasting your own nuts, you need to start. The difference in the flavor from the ones you buy is simply incredible. Freshly toasted pecans is now one of my favorite snacks.

Here’s what you’ll need: 

• Raw Pecans 

Yep, that’s it. My favorites are the ones from Costco. Although, my maid has said she’s going to bring me some from her family’s pecan farm. I can’t wait to try those!

Preheat your oven to 350°. Then just spread the pecans on a sheet pan in a single layer.

Into the oven for 8 minutes. Yes, I said 8 minutes. Trust me on this one. Pull them out and give them a stir, then spread them back into a single layer.

Back into the oven for another 8 minutes. They won’t look much different when you take them out, but they will smell divine. In fact, your whole kitchen will probably be filled with the aroma of your nuts.

Now, allow them to cool completely… of course some of them will find their way into your mouth during that time. Pour the ones that are left into an airtight container. I always have a mason jar of them sitting on my kitchen counter now. You just never know when you might get a craving to munch on some nuts. 

A couple of quick notes:

You can really do this with any variety of nut. Pistachios are another favorite of mine. You may need to adjust the cook time a little, but just use your nose as a guide. 

I like them just the way they are, but if you really like salty nuts, just sprinkle a little over the top right before you stir them. 

Store the raw nuts in your freezer and roast them in fairly small batches. That way, your nuts will always be fresh!

It's Beginning to Smell a lot like Christmas

Ahhh, the smell of cinnamon.  Nothing else makes me think more of Christmastime than that.  For a short time when Hubby and I were younger, we had a Dippin’ Dots franchise in a mall.  During the holiday season, the nut store would move in.  You know the nuts I’m talking about.  The ones you can smell for like 8 blocks.  Usually they sell cinnamon almonds, but I used to sit there all day smelling their nuts and would visit often.  That’s how I eventually figured out they made pecans too, just not as many or as often.  The almonds are pretty amazing, but the pecans… there are no words.  Now, I’m going to show you how to make them yourself at home.

Here’s what you’ll need: 

• 4 cups pecans
• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 ½ cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt 

Before you get started on anything else, go ahead and preheat your oven to 250° and line a sheet pan or a large roasting pan with parchment.  (Or you can just butter it if you don’t mind washing it when you’re done.  Next up, measure your sugar, cinnamon, and salt into a bowl. 

Whisk them together until everything is evenly distributed, then set it aside. 

In a large mixing bowl, combine your egg white and vanilla.

With your mixer (or a whisk if you prefer) beat until it’s nice and frothy. 

Add the pecans.

Stir thoroughly.  It’ll take a minute or two, but you want your nuts completely coated. 

Pour on the sugar mixture.

And stir some more.  All of the sugar should be moistened and the vast majority of it stuck to your nuts. 

Pour the pecans onto your prepared pan.

Spread them out so there’s basically a single layer.

Bake at 250° for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.  When they’re done, they’ll be dry and no longer sticky. 

Allow them to cool just long enough that you won’t burn yourself and start devouring.  Wait, I mean, let them cool completely and store them in an airtight container.  (Yeah right)

What reminds you most of the holiday season?