How to Make Candied Nuts

I love caramelizing nuts. Caramelizing is such an absolutely simple, quick, clean process that gives you so many options. I think many people either don't know how easy it is or don't realize the countless uses for caramelized nuts. So today I remind you HOW TO MAKE CARAMELIZED NUTS:

1. Place a cast-iron skillet over the heat.
2. Put a few handfuls of California walnuts (make them good quality—you can tell in the result!).
3. Add a few tablespoons of sugar (a couple of tablespoonfuls for each handful of nuts you added).
4. Let the sugar start to melt and keep moving the pan so the nuts get coated with the caramel that's forming. Let them dance!
5. Remove them after a few minutes. Yes, very few... after about 3 minutes you'll see they're caramelized. Remember that caramel can burn quickly, so don't get distracted and take them off as soon as you see they're sticky and the caramel is hard (you'll see it crystallize fast, especially if you stir a bit with a spoon).

Note: You now have delicious caramelized nuts (you can do it with cashews, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts... whatever you like!) .

Uses for caramelized nuts

If you're wondering how to use caramelized nuts, I hope to inspire you with these suggestions:

• Use them as-is for a snack (they'll be loved at home), either as an appetizer or with dessert and coffee;
• You should definitely add them to your salads; they go perfectly in green salads with goat or sheep cheese, with apple and other fruits (I invite you to make this one); also in pasta, rice, or legume salads.
• When you make baked melted cheese, in a cheese baker, you can add caramelized nuts or other caramelized fruits... they taste fabulous!
• For a vinaigrette, you'll see that chopped a bit and with Modena or honey vinaigrettes they are excellent.
• To accompany a fish or also with roasted meats.
• To accompany roasted fruit, like apple and roasted pears —with caramelized nuts they make a luxurious breakfast or dessert.
• To make sweets (from muffins and cookies to cakes, either in fillings or as decoration). They also work great in porridge.
• To make ice cream (at minimum you should use them in the classic vanilla ice cream that everyone knows).

Caramelized nuts and fruits have a wide range of applications. How do you enjoy them?

About the skillet

Did you know I said earlier that making the nuts was easy and clean? Making them in a cast-iron skillet is super simple, because the sugar heats quickly and you get caramel in seconds... then you rinse it briefly with water and, since you can scrub it without issue with a scouring pad, you remove the sugar residue that dissolves quickly, in seconds.

If you're looking for more skillet recipes, both on the stovetop and in the oven, I encourage you to see this other post.