Party Nuts
My dearly departed grandfather was a general surgeon. Every holiday season, my grandma whipped up a batch of candied pecans and delivered them to the hospital staff. If we were lucky, she made extra for us! These nuts are sensational and make wonderful gifts any time of year, especially for the holidays. And they're really not difficult to make. Once you try them, you'll be hooked. Enjoy!

Preheat oven to 325

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 egg white
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 pound shelled pecans, broken into halves (I buy the shelled, halved kind in bags)

In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, salt and cinnamon. Set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat the egg white until frothy but not stiff. Mix in the water, then add the sugar mixture. When well mixed, hand stir in the pecans. Mix well, then spread on a cookie sheet. (I put down silpat or parchment paper so it doesn't stick.) Bake at 325, stirring several times, until brown. Remove from oven before the nuts get completely dry.

Cool and box into gifts...  Go ahead, taste. You won't be able to stop... :-)

December 2010