Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Spiced Nuts...

Another of my favorite holiday foods...

I received this recipe from a nice lady I worked with once upon a time... it was cheaper to give me the recipe than to continue to bring Spiced Nuts in for us... we were shameless beggars.

For a batch you will need....

  • 1/2 lb Shelled Walnuts
  • 1 lb Pecan Halves
  • 1 Egg WHITE
  • 2 TBSP Cold Water
  • 1/2 C Sugar
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Allspice
  • 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Cloves

Beat egg white until foamy - not as heavy as meringue but certainly to the fluffy stage without being too dense.

Add Water and Dry Ingredients (I mix the sugar and spices together first).  Toss in nuts and coat well.  Spread on a greased cookie sheet in one layer - use 2 cookie sheets if you need to because you want them to dry out completely.  Bake 45 minutes in a 275 degree oven.  Turn the oven off and leave nuts in for another 30 minutes to cool. 

I made a triple batch Sunday... hey don't go looking at my dirty oven or my 'geez don't ya ever scrub those' cookie sheets.  I've had those cookies sheets for more than 30 years... they are well seasoned... just like me.  I put all these in and set it for convection baking.... sweet!  Nothing got over or under done... I'm liking my new oven!

Spiced Nuts 001

I like to loosen the nuts from the pan with a spatula after this 30 minutes and when completely cooled store them in a covered tin or glass jars.  Please don't try to do this without greasing the pan... between the egg whites and the sugar IT'S GONNA STICK!  Ask me how I figured that out?  I've never tried those silicone baking sheets... they might work.

Spiced Nuts 003

These Spiced Nuts make nice gifts... one I certainly enjoyed receiving long, long ago!

1 comment:

Bon said...

I love spiced nuts. A friend of mine used to get them for me every year for Christmas. I miss them. I miss her.

Maybe I should try your recipe. I have lots of pecans thanks to ElaineMO.

Merry Christmas, my friend.