My oven is fixed!! The part came in yesterday afternoon, right before we were about to leave for dinner at my sisters. The mr ripped the package open, popped the stove out and within 5 minutes I had a brand new, working ovens! (not really brand new, but it is much cleaner now after taking it apart and seeing how nasty it was)
But before this happened, I was working with no oven. And all I wanted to do ( all I wanted to do all weekend) was bake something. So yesterday, instead of just waiting around moping, I decided to make something with the part of the oven that still worked. And being that it's the week before Halloween, I have got candy on my mind, plus a hugmongo bag of walnuts. Hmm, the possibilities.
No oven, big bag of nuts, candy thoughts = Spicy maple candied walnuts A perfectly sweet and spicy treat that packs lots of flavor, protein, and healthy stuff and not a bunch of shit. Made on the stove top with no fancy equipment., takes about 5 minutes to make and tastes like Woo hoo! A (kinda )candy to feel good about eating.
Ask the mr. I think he ate them all last night. And I am ok with that cause it's way better then him eating that shit candy and also, he fixed my oven. Thanks love!
Now to the nuts!
The stuff. Whole walnuts, real pure Vermont maple syrup, cayenne pepper and salt.
Stick the walnuts into a dry skillet and place on the stove on medium high heat to give the nuts a little pre toast and to preheat the skillet.
While the walnuts are slightly toasting, dump the maple syrup in a bowl with cayenne and give it a little stir.
Once the skillet has heated and the walnuts are slightly toasted and starting to smell all nutty ,dump the syrup into the skillet while string until the nuts until all are coated.
And for the next few minutes, continue to stir the nuts until the maple syrup starts to caramelize and there is no longer any liquid left in the pan.(like 3-5 minutes)
Now dump the nuts onto a lined baking sheet and spinkle with a pinch or two of salt, and if you like spice, a pinch more of cayenne pepper (you can make them as salty and spicy as you like!)
Note. As soon as you dump the nuts, stick your skillet in the sink and fill with water to avoid a crappy stuck on sugar mess.
Walnuts a plenty cooling off.
Oh man.. dez nuts! (I am sorry, I couldn't resists)
Snack on these, it will make you happy.
Enjoy your Tuesday!
-C
Spicy Maple Candied Walnuts
- 1 1/2 cups raw, whole walnuts
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon cayanne powder (more if you like really spicy)
- a couple pinches of salt
Place walnuts into a large dry skillet and stick on stove on medium heat. In a little bowl, mix the maple and the cayenne pepper together. When the skillet has preheated and the walnuts are slightly toasted ash giving off a nutty smell, pour mixture onto walnuts, string to evenly coat each nut. COntinue to cook and stir for another 3-4 minutes or until the syrup has caramelized ash dried. Once done, dump the mixture onto a lined baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and maybe more cayenne pepper if yu want. Let cool, then eat…
These suckers make a great snack, tossed into salads, or added to some apple strudel. Eat them whatever way floats your boat.