SWEET & SPICY NUTS

If you are nuts about nuts, this is a great snack recipe:

Please read this recipe before starting!

2 c. mixed unsalted nuts or single out your favorite. We like a combination of peanuts (organic), whole almonds, slivered almonds, pecan and walnut halves.
3 to 4 tbls. butter (organic is best)
1/2 c. Sucanat or Sucanat With Honey Crystals Brand
1 tsp. Real Salt Brand or equivalent
1/2 to 1 tsp. crushed red pepper (we use 1/2 tsp. and that's hot enough for us!)

You will need:

1 thick-bottomed frying pan (this is important - stainless steel is probably best)
One flat whisk or a cooking fork (better than a spoon)
1 large heavy glass or ceramic platter
1 glass jar (mason is great) with lid for storage

How to:

Melt the butter in the frying pan until sizzling, but not brown, over med. high heat. Add salt and crushed red pepper...stir.

Add nuts and stir.

Sprinkle nuts & butter with Sucanat, while stirring constantly. It is important to do this or nuts will burn. Watch the temperature.

Stir this mixture until the Sucanat begins to melt and turn brown and sticky. Watch that the nuts & Sucanat do not burn.

Once the Sucanat is caramelized and coats the nuts, turn them carefully onto the platter, spreading them out to cool. Do not touch them. They are very hot.

After nuts are completely cooled, break them apart and store in a glass jar with tight fitting lid. These should last for quite some time, if you can keep them that long. : )

This is not a recipe that I would recommend for a child to do. The nuts get very hot and sticky and could pose a hazard.