Saturday, September 12, 2015

Fall Spiced Pecans and many other recipes for my favorite Sweet, Salty and Spicy Nuts

I love sweet and spicy Pecans, Cashews or Mixed Nuts. I wrote a post titled "I'm Nuts about Nuts" I included all of those recipes here.
Here's the latest recipe for a Fall Pecan. It has a combination of sweet, salt and spice.






Fall Spiced Pecans

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
1 - Sheet Pan lined with Foil


In a small bowl:
1 1/2 C Pecans
1 1/2 C Apple Juice
Stir to mix well, set aside for 15 minutes.

In a medium bowl:
3 TBS Sugar
1 tsp Apple Pie Spice
1/8 tsp Salt
1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper (optional) I happen to like the addition of Cayenne Pepper.
Whisk well.
Add Pecans, toss to coat well.

Spread the Pecans on the Sheet Pan in a single layer.
Bake 15 minutes, stirring once during roasting.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

I wanted to update this post and include all of my favorite recipes for Sweet, Spicy and Salty Nut mixes.

I've posted many recipes for spiced nuts. I love them all. Here's my latest recipe.
I made these with a combination of Extra Large Peanuts and Whole Almonds. You can use all of one kind of nut or any combination. The next time I make them I'll try Mixed Nuts. Of course, in Texas, we also use only Pecans.

Crispy Brined Pecans:

These are so interesting and different than most spiced nuts.
They're not sweet and hot, they're not sugary and cinnamony, they're not sweet and made with egg whites.....they're amazing!
I've posted recipes for other roasted and spiced nuts that I also love.
Check out all of them and decide for yourself.
I just liked the fact that these are so different than all of the others.

The process is long, but the results are worth it.
I began soaking them at 10pm.
They were done soaking at 6am.
I put them in the oven and roasted them until 6pm.

I doubled the original recipe and this is my adaptation.

8 C pecan halves
8 tsp sea salt
12 - 1" pieces of cinnamon sticks
2 tsp nutmeg
12 whole cloves
8 pieces of 1"X3" orange peel
6 C boiling water

Place water in a large bowl ( it will eventually accommodate the pecans too).
Add all ingredients except the pecans.

Cool to luke warm.
Stir well.

Add pecans and soak for 8 hours.

Preheat the oven to 150 degrees.
With a slotted spoon, remove only the pecans and spread them out onto 2 full sized baking sheet pans lined with parchment paper.

Roast the pecans for 12 hours.
Store in sealed jars.








Honey Spiced Nuts:

2 TBS olive oil
6 C nuts
1/3 C honey (I used a Lavender Honey from France)
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 TBS salt
4 TBS sesame seeds

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
Heat a large Saute Pan on Medium High. When it gets hot, add the oil.
Add the Nuts and stir for 1 minute.
Reduce heat to low and continue to saute the nuts for 7 minutes, stirring often.
Add:
honey
spices
salt
sesame seeds
Stir Well

Spread on a sheet pan.
Dry them in the oven for 12 - 15 minutes.
Cool before moving to a sealed container.
As soon as they're cooled you will need to scrape the nuts from the pan with a strong metal spatula and break up the nuts as you remove them.
I kept some small clusters.
They are absolutely delicious.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!





Pumpkin Pie Spiced Pecans:

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees
1 - Jelly Roll Pan, heavily buttered on the bottom and up the sides.

I wanted to show a Jelly Roll Pan because it's
different than a Sheet Pan. You need a pan with sides
for this recipe.
I recommend this pan whenever you're baking Spiced Nuts.


4 C Pecan Halves
1 Large Egg White
1 TBS Vanilla
1/2 C Granulated Sugar
1/2 C Brown Sugar
1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/4 tsp Salt


In a large bowl with a Hand Mixer:
Egg White
Vanilla
Beat until Frothy.
Add:
Pecans
Fold by hand to coat well.

In a Large Zip Lock Bag:
Granulated Sugar
Brown Sugar
Cinnamon
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Salt
Shake to mix well.

Add:
Pecans
Shake vigorously until the Pecans are completely coated.
Pour onto the pan in a single layer.
Bake for 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven and spread onto Parchment Paper, in a single layer to dry.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


These are from the Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House in Oregon. They shared the recipe in the Dallas Morning News.

1 1/4 pounds of Almonds
1/4 C Molasses
1 TBS Sea Salt
1/2 Pound Brown Sugar ( divided in half)
1 1/4 pounds of Roasted Salted Cashews

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine Almonds with Molasses, Sea Salt and half of the Brown Sugar.

Spread them on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir the hot Almonds into the remaining Brown Sugar in the bowl.
Spread the nuts out on the baking sheet and set them aside to cool.

Toss the cooled Almonds with the Cashews into the bowl.

Store covered in a cool dry place in a plastic or glass container.

Makes about 10 cups.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


I have many recipes for flavored nuts. There are several posted on the blog.
Here's another favorite.

Texas Pecans:

2 TBS butter
1/4 C Worcestershire Sauce ( I use a vegetarian version)
1 TBS Ketchup
2 dashes of Tabasco Sauce
4 C pecan halves
salt

in a saucepan, melt butter and add:
Worcestershire Sauce
Ketchup
Tabasco

Stir in pecans
Pour into a glass baking dish in a single layer
Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes
Stir often
Pour onto Paper Towels
Sprinkle with salt.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!



Here's another favorite recipe.
On the right side in parenthesis are the amounts for a larger quantity.

Fire and Ice Nuts:

Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees

1 1/2 C Cashews               (4 1/4 C)
1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper     (3/4 TBS)
1 TBS Soy Sauce              (3 TBS)
1 TBS Honey                    (3 TBS)
1/4 C Maple Syrup            (3/4 C)
1 1/2 tsp Butter, melted      (4 TBS)
2 C Pecan Halves              (6 C) = (1 1/2 lbs)

Cashew Preparation:
Line a baking sheet with foil, coated with a vegetable spray, set aside

In a Food Processor:
Place 1/2 C of the Cashews and process until finely ground
In a small bowl, mix together ground Cashews and Cayenne Pepper
Set Aside

In a larger bowl:
Combine,
Soy Sauce
Honey
Remaining Cashews
Toss to coat completely
Stir in ground Cashew mixture
Spread out on the baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, stir once
Remove from oven and cool completely


Pecans Preparation:
Line a separate baking sheet with foil, coated with vegetable spray, set aside

In a bowl:
Combine,
Maple Syrup
ButterPecans
Toss to coat completely

Spread out on the baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, stir twice
Remove from the oven and cool completely
Break into chunks

Combine Cashews and Pecans in a bowl to serve
Store in airtight jars

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


I'm not really a football fan and that's OK, not everyone is.

However, I know there are fans that are "nuts" about football
and especially the Superbowl.
Any Superbowl Party I've attended has always had a bowl or two, or three of just plain nuts, these would have been nicer to snack on!

I know Texans love spiced nuts and I've done the homework for you and here are two of the best versions of spiced nuts that I could find.
I still believe that the recipe I published earlier for the Union Square Cafe's Bar Nuts are also some of the best I've ever had.

I have to give credit to Martha Stewart for these two recipes.

As I researched spiced nuts, these two recipes came up often and they all gave credit where credit was due......... thank you Martha!

Chile Lime Cashews:

2 1/2 tsp coarse salt...... like Sel de Mer, or Sea Salt..... use the regular stuff if you need to!
1 tsp finely grated lime zest ( a rasp works well)
2 TBS Dark Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
1 large Egg ( white part only)
3 C Whole Raw unsalted Cashews

1 rimmed baking sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

preheat the oven to 350 degrees

In a bowl, using the back of a wooden spoon or a muddler ( I thought I'd use that word to sound like a fancy food blogger) but seriously, use a muddler and
grind the salt and the lime zest together.

Add Sugar, Pepper Flakes and Egg White.
Whisk together until frothy.
Add the nuts and toss to coat well.

Spread the nuts in a single layer on the sheet pan.
Bake 20 minutes

Separate the nuts, break them up and allow to cool completely.
You can move them to another paper lined sheet pan to do this, if you have another one.


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!




Orange Spiced Cashews:

3 C Whole Raw unsalted Raw Cashews
1/4 C Light Corn Syrup
1/2 tsp Coarse Salt
1 1/2 tsp finely grated Orange Zest.... use the rasp again!
3/4 tsp Ground Ginger
1/2 tsp Ground Coriander
1/2 tsp Ground Cumin
A pinch...... just a pinch of Cayenne Pepper

2 rimmed baking sheet pans lined with parchment paper

In a medium bowl, mix Nuts with Corn Syrup until evenly coated, set aside!
In another bowl, combine Salt, Zest, Ginger, Coriander, Cumin and Cayenne
Sprinkle this mixture over the nuts and stir until evenly coated.

Spread the nuts in a single layer onto one of the sheet pans.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Transfer the nuts to the second sheet pan, separate them and cool completely.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!



Fall Candied Pecans:
I have 2 versions of these Pecans.

#1
2 C Pecan halves
1/2 C granulated Sugar
1/2 C Brown Sugar
1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
1 1/4 C Water

In a medium mixing bowl:
Granulated Sugar
Brown Sugar
Cinnamon
Whisk well.

In a small measuring cup:
Vanilla
Water

In a Saucepan on medium high heat:
Pecans
Sugar/Cinnamon
Vanilla/Water
Stir to coat the Pecans.

Stir constantly to a boil.
Continue stirring until it begins to thicken.

Pour on to a nonstick Sheet Pan or a Sheet Pan lined with Silpat or Foil.
Spread out into a single layer.
Allow to cool completely.
Break into pieces to serve.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

#2
2 C Pecan halves
1/4 C Granulated Sugar
1/4 C Brown Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Vanilla

In a Saucepan on medium high heat:
Granulated Sugar
Brown Sugar
Cook until melted.
Add Pecans and stir until well coated.
Add Vanilla and stir to combine well.
Heat to a boil and remove from the heat.
Transfer the Pecans to a nonstick Sheet Pan or a Sheet Pan lined with Silpat or Foil.
Spread into a single layer.
Sprinkle with Cinnamon.
Allow to cool completely.
Break into pieces to serve.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!



Spiced Mixed Nuts from Sur la Table:

4 C Mixed Nuts (Almonds, Pecans, Cashews, Pistachios)
3/4 C Granulated Sugar
1 TBS Chile Powder
2 tsp  Cinnamon
1/2 tsp All Spice
2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
1 Large Egg White

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
A rimmed Sheet Pan lined with Parchment Paper.

In a small bowl:
Sugar
Salt
Spices
Whisk well.

In a large bowl:
Whisk Egg White until frothy and dry.
Add Nuts and Spiced Sugar Mix.
Toss well.

Spread in a single layer.
Bake , stirring with a wooden spoon 1/2 way through 40 minutes.
They should be light brown.
Remove the pan to a rack , cool completely.
Stir occasionally.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen.


Chipotle Chile Candied Pecans:

8 TBS  (1 stick) Butter
1 tsp Chipotle Chile Powder
1 C Brown Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
2 Large Egg White, room temperature.
3/4 tsp Sea Salt
1 pound of Large, Jumbo Pecan halves.

This recipe can easily be doubled.
Use 2 sheet pans with 8 TBS of Butter on each pan and make a double batch of the meringue, in a Stand Mixer.

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
Preferably non-stick for easy clean up.

In the oven:
Melt Butter in the sheet pan.
Remove and set aside.

In a mixing bowl:
Chile Powder
Brown Sugar
Whisk well.
Pour the Vanilla over this mixture, do not stir.
Set aside.

In a Stand Mixer with a Whisk attachment:
Egg Whites on medium speed, until foamy.
Add 1/4 tsp Salt and continue to beat until soft peak.
Add the Sugar Mixture, 2 TBS at a time, beating on high to get a shiny thick meringue.

Remove the bowl and fold in the Pecans gently by hand, until well coated.
Tip the Sheet Pan to swirl the Butter to coat the pan.

Spread the Pecans over the Butter in a single layer.
Bake 20 minutes.
Remove the pan, stir the Pecans.
Bake an additional 15 minutes.
Stir again.
Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 tsp of Sea Salt.
Continue baking and stirring every 15 minutes for 45- minutes to 1- hour.
Line the counter with a long sheet of Foil, spread out the Pecans and cool completely.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


Spiced Pecans:
3 C Pecan Halves
2 TBS Butter
1/2 C Brown Sugar
1 tsp Paprika
2 tsp Chile Powder
1 tsp Cumin
1/4 C Apple Cider Vinegar

Cool all ingredients in a Cast Iron Skillet over medium High heat.
Boil off the Vinegar
Place in a 350 degree oven on a cookie sheet and bake until browned.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!



Crock Pot Cinnamon Almonds:


Ingredients:

1 1/2 C. Sugar
1 1/2 C. Brown Sugar
3 Tbsp. Cinnamon
1/8 tsp. Salt
1 Egg White
2 tsp. vanilla
3 Cups Almonds
1/4 C. Water

Directions:
In a medium sized bowl, mix together sugars, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside. In another medium sized bowl, whisk the egg white and vanilla until it’s a little frothy. Add almonds. Make sure the almonds are thoroughly coated in the egg white mixture. Add cinnamon mixture to the almonds and toss until coated.

Thoroughly spray with the stoneware of your crock pot with non-stick cooking spray and add the mixture of almonds and sugars.

Cook on low ( with the lid on) 3-4 hours stirring every 20 minutes. In the last hour, add the 1/4 C. of water and stir well. This ensures a crunchy yummy coating. (*make sure after you’ve added the water that you continue to cook the nuts for another 45 minutes to an hour.)

You have to stir really well, especially as it gets later in the cooking process.

Line a baking sheet with parchment and spread the almonds flat to cool. The almonds will be sticky at this point, so make sure you separate them a little and have no large mounds.



Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!












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