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?

Homemade Mango Lassi

You know those fabulous drinks you get at India restaurants?  Did you know you can easily make them at home?  Not only does that mean you can enjoy one anytime, but it will be way cheaper than what you’d pay at a restaurant.  Bonus! 

Here’s what you’ll need: 

• 1 cup plain kefir
• 1 cup diced mango (thawed if using frozen)
• 2 Tablespoons agave nectar or honey
• If you have trouble finding kefir, you can use plain yogurt instead (not the Greek stuff) and just add 1 Tablespoon of water. 

You won’t believe how easy this is.  Throw your diced mango into the blender. 

Pour in the kefir.

Add the agave.  Honey is actually more traditional, but I prefer the flavor with agave.  Use whichever you like.

So, everything’s in the blender?  Just turn it on and let it run until everything is nice and smooth. 

Pour over plenty of ice. 

Even more delicious than the restaurant version, made with high quality, organic ingredients, and a fraction of the cost.  What’s not to love? 

What’s your favorite drink to get when you go out?