How to make caramelized pecans

I love caramelizing nuts. Caramelizing is such a 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 endless uses that can be given to caramelized nuts. So today I remind you of OUR BEST WAY TO CARAMELIZE:

1. Put a cast iron pan on the fire.
2. Add a few handfuls of California walnuts (make sure they are quality ones, because the results will show!).
3. Add a few tablespoons of sugar (a couple of tablespoons for each handful of nuts you have put in).
4. Let the sugar begin to melt and keep stirring the pan so that the nuts are coated with the caramel that is being made. Let them dance!
5. Remove them after a few minutes. Yes, very few... after 3 minutes of being there you will see that they are caramelized. Remember that caramel can burn quickly, so don't get distracted and remove them as soon as you see that they are sticky and the caramel is hard (you will see that it crystallizes quickly, more so if you stir them a little with a spoon).

Note: You now have some delicious caramelized nuts ( you can use cashews, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts ... Whatever you like!).

Uses for caramelized nuts

If you are wondering how to use caramelized walnuts, I hope to inspire you with these suggestions:

• Use them as is for a snack (at home they will love them), either as an appetizer or in a dessert with coffee;
• You should definitely add them to your salads, they go perfectly with green salads with goat or sheep cheese, with apple and other fruits (I invite you to prepare this one ); as well as in pasta, rice or legume salads.
• When you make melted cheese in the oven, in a cheese maker , you can add walnuts or other caramelized fruits... They taste fabulous!
• For a vinaigrette, you will see that they are great when chopped a bit and used with Modena or honey vinaigrettes.
• To accompany fish or also with roasted meats.
• To accompany roasted fruit, such as roasted apples and pears - with caramelized walnuts they are a luxurious breakfast or dessert.
• For making sweets (from muffins and biscuits to cakes, either as fillings or for decorating). It also goes very well in porridge.
• To make ice cream (at the very least you should use them in the traditional vanilla ice cream that is so well known).

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

About the Skillet Pan

You know what I said before that making walnuts was easy and clean? Making them in the cast iron pan is super simple, because the sugar heats up quickly and you get the sugar in a few seconds... but then you put it in water for a moment and, since you can easily rub it with a scouring pad, you remove the remains of the sugar that dissolve quickly, in seconds.

If you are looking for more Skillet recipes, both on the stove and in the oven, I encourage you to check out this other post .