Maple And Black Pepper Pecans Food

MAPLE-PEPPER BACON

Steps:

• Position wire racks on 2 rimmed baking sheets. Lay 1 pound bacon in a single layer on the racks and bake 7 minutes at 375 degrees F. Brush with maple syrup and continue baking until caramelized, about 25 minutes, flipping, brushing with syrup and seasoning with pepper every 5 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the racks.

MAPLE PECAN BAKED BRIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Shave off the top rind of the Brie (it is easiest to do this after it has been in the freezer for about 20 minutes). If the Brie came in a wooden box, return it to the original container. If not, create a makeshift "box" out of a few layers of aluminum foil, leaving the top of the Brie exposed.
• Place the cheese on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until warm and gooey, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 20 minutes before serving. Carefully transfer to a serving platter; you do not want the rind to puncture, if possible.
• While the Brie is cooling, make the praline sauce. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, maple syrup, and pecans. Cook, stirring constantly, until all of the ingredients are well combined, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in coarsely ground black pepper and remove from heat. Allow the mixture to cool for 5 to 10 minutes, until it has thickened up just a bit. Dollop the warm sauce over the baked cheese. (There may be extra praline sauce.) Serve with assorted crackers.

CANDIED PECAN MAPLE

Steps:

• In saucepan heat half of the syrup over medium temperature. Add butter, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Add nuts and cook 3 minutes, nuts will begin to stick together. Add remaining 1/2 of the maple syrup and cook until it begins to caramelize. Add the rosemary leaves and toss. Immediately remove from the heat. Cool on a silpat sheet.

MAPLE PEPPER PECANS

Steps:

• Melt the butter with the syrup, salt and cayenne pepper in a pan over a gentle heat. Add the pecans and stir to mix, leave them on the heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Spread the pecans on a silicon pad, parchment paper, or piece of foil to cool. Arrange the sticky pecans in bowls to serve.

PEPPER PECANS

Steps:

• In a large heavy skillet, over a medium heat, warm the oil. Stir in the sugar, salt, cayenne, and pepper. Mix well, until sugar starts to melt. Add the pecans and coat thoroughly.
• Drain the pecans on a baking sheet and cool.
• Store in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to 2 weeks.

ROASTED SWEET POTATOES WITH PECANS AND SPICED MAPLE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees F and arrange rack in the middle.
• While oven heats, place pecans on a baking sheet to toast until they smell nutty and are slightly darker, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
• Place sweet potatoes on a baking sheet, drizzle with oil. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and toss to coat. Roast until golden brown and tender when pierced with a knife, about 40 to 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. When it foams, stir in maple syrup and cayenne and let cook briefly, about 1 minute. Serve sweet potatoes with a drizzle of maple butter and a scattering of pecans.