Sunday, December 5, 2010

Spicy Pecans!

First time I ever had spicy pecans was a few years back when I took a cooking class at Viking. Before that class I had sugared sweet ones, mostly in salads, but these, WOW, these had a nice spice to them! It was my first introduction to a cooking class, and it was a good one! This was a cocktail party class and thank goodness for the pregnant woman in the class because she was nice enough to give me her cocktail, too, so it wouldn't go to waste! I can't remember much of that class but I do remember these pecans being just fantastic. I have posted about them before and I thought since it's that time of year where folks go visiting, I'd mention them again! They make a great little gift when you put it in a nice dish, jar or tin and dress it up for the holidays!

Although I had mine dressed up with a Pomegranate martini, you can serve them any way you like!




Spicy Vanilla Pecans
source: Viking Cooking School - Cocktail Party Class 2006
Printable Recipe

1 (4-inch) vanilla bean
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (more or less to taste, I added more!)
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 1/2 quarts water
1 pound pecan halves
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons neutral-flavored oil (grapeseed or canola)

Preheat oven to 325ºF.
For the seasoning mixture: Split the vanilla bean in half and scrape the seeds into a small bowl. Add the salt, cayenne, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, stirring to combine. Set aside until needed.

n a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the pecans and boil for 1 minute. Drain the nuts well; immediately place them in a bowl and toss with the sugar and oil. Let the sugar-coated nuts stand for 10 minutes.

Arrange the nuts on a rimmed baking sheet and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, turning every 5 to 10 minutes until the nuts are light brown and very crisp. Remove from the oven.

While the pecans are still very hot, place them in a clean bowl and toss with the seasoning mixture. Spread in a single layer to cool.

These are delicious served by themselves as a snack, served over ice cream with caramel sauce or in a salad.

The pecans may be prepared up to one week in advance and stored in an airtight container. You can also substitute walnut halves for the pecans.



Joining Mary's Mosaic Monday. For more mosaic's stop by the Little Red House!

38 comments:

  1. I've always loved these too! My recipe has some cumin in it which my daughter loves. These make such a super hostess gift too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love love love spiced pecans! your recipe is wonderful and I have a bag in the fridge I could try it on!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have a friend who always has something like this on hand - now I will too - just in time for Christmas - thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love spicy pecans. It has been a long time since I have had these, but I really like your recipe. Thanks for sharing and cannot wait to try.

    ReplyDelete
  5. These spicy pecans look delish and addictive!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oooh! Now this is right up my alley! My nephew's FIL has pecan orchards and we always get some for Christmas! I will try this one for sure! Also...you know I loved your recipe for Mme. Lascourrèges Chicken! Could you get any frenchier? Happy weekend!...Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  7. I bet if I start eating these pecans I wouldn't want to stop.

    ReplyDelete
  8. A cocktail party class? Now that's a class that's right up my alley :). These pecans look amazing. Trying to decide what to make for some of the people I work with for the holidays, this could be a good one! Hope you're having a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Outstanding. These look and sound really special. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have never tried this but I will have to make some for sure now! Thank you for a great recipe :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh, if only I could pick a few of those from my computer screen, I would be so happy! Guess I will just have to copy the recipe and make them. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've been hoping someone would share a recipe for spicy pecans since my mom loved the ones she had at a candy shoppe this summer! This is perfect Carol. Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm happy to hear the pregnant gal's cocktail did not go to waste ;) These sound fantastic, Carol!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh Yum!!!! My Husband loves pecans fixed like this. I've never had the recipe...thanks for sharing and showing how they are suppose to turnout. Can't wait to try!

    ReplyDelete
  15. We love toasted pecans and this sounds and looks so great!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Those look quite tasty! I think I might eat way too many.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love to add pecans to my salads. These would be so tasty. They may not make it out of the house. The pomegranate martini sounds interesting too.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I've had these sweet, but not with the spicy...they sound great!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Those look so good, thank you for sharing the recipe. Take care:)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Yum - but I would go a little less on the cayenne! How gracious of you so a cocktail wouldn't go to waste..

    ReplyDelete
  21. These sound wonderful. I have a similar recipe, but it doesn't involve boiling water. Intriguing.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Sounds YUMMY. I have had the cinnamon roasted nuts. but not the spicey.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh yes, these do look good! Thank you for your visit and kind words! Have a grand week! Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  24. These sound delish~ love the addition of the vanilla! Of course, I'd want a pomtini to go with them :-)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow, I would never have thought to put them on top of ice cream with a caramel sauce! Yum- the contrast of the sweet and the savory should be amazing! Great idea- I'm glad you shared this.
    ~ Sue

    ReplyDelete
  26. Carol, These sound and look delicious, I will give then a try. What a nice homemade gift for people dropping by over the holidays.
    be well, be happy,
    Pam

    ReplyDelete
  27. Sounds absolutely delicious. I will have to give them a try. Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful Christmas in the company of those you love.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oh man.. Those would make a perfect snack or breakfast! I usally have dates and almonds for breaksfast. I should give those babeie a go.

    Have a great week a head.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I remember that cooking class, Carol. But how I forgot about these crunchy pecan wonders, remains a mystery!

    ReplyDelete
  30. That would be something I don't need around the house, as I would not be able to stop eating them.
    Thanks for sharing the recipe

    ReplyDelete
  31. Spicy Pecans - yum! What a nice little gift to give. I'd enjoy them for a snack, too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Oh my, these sound so good! A healthy snack too, as nut are so good and filling. I bet even walnuts would be good prepared this way. Thanks for another wonderful recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  33. This recipe reminds me of my Nana, who had five pecan (PEE-can) trees in her yard in Waco, Texas. I love this recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  34. These pecans look delicious-served up with a martini or good glass of wine would be good.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh, yumm! I will make these for sure! Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog too. :)

    -Mary

    ReplyDelete
  36. These look great - I am bookmarking them for christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Without the hot stuff I would love them.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. They are fun to read and very much appreciated! Sorry for comment moderation, the spam has been overwhelming lately.

Back to top