Spicy Glazed Pecans
These nuts make a lovely, crunchy addition to salads with your favorite vinaigrette and a sprinkling of blue cheese. On their own, they are an addictive sweet and savory snack. I have given them as a hostess gift on several occasions, and one year I filled holiday tins and gave them to neighbors and co-workers as a Christmas gift.
Whatever you choose to do with these spicy glazed pecans, they will quickly disappear and everyone will be sorry when the bowl is empty.
Spicy Glazed Pecans
- 1 cup sugar
- 6 tbl. water
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 5/8 tsp. cayenne
- 4 cups pecan halves
Cover a large cookie sheet with aluminum foil and then butter the foil. Combine first 4 ingredients in heavy medium-sized saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Boil 2 minutes. Add pecans and stir until pecans are coated with mixture, about 1 minute. Transfer pecans to prepared sheet, spreading evenly.
Bake at 350o until pecans are just beginning to brown, about 9 to 10 minutes. Transfer to cookie sheet lined with waxed paper and separate pecans with fork. Cool completely.
(Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Store in airtight container.)
Source: Adapted from a Bon Appétit recipe