Nucato Spiced Honey Nut Crunch Food

SPICED HONEY-GLAZED NUTS

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350.
• Spread the nuts on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake just until the nuts are warm to the touch, about 3 minutes. Remove baking sheet from oven. Drizzle nuts with honey and corn syrup, and mix well. Continue baking, stirring often with oiled spatula (I used Pam) until the liquid has evaporated into a glaze, about 10-12 minutes.
• Mix the sugar, salt, cumin, chili powder and cayenne pepper in a large bowl. Add the nuts and mix well to coat them with the spiced sugar. Transfer to a clean baking sheet to cool, breaking up the nuts that may have stuck together. They will crisp as they cool.
• Store in airtight container at room temp for up to one week.

NUCATO (SPICED HONEY NUT CRUNCH)

Steps:

• Gradually bring the honey to the boil, skimming off any impurities that may rise to the surface. Very coarsely chop the nuts and add to the honey along with 1 teaspoon of the spice mixture. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 30 to 45 minutes. The mixture is done when you can hear the almonds beginning to "pop" from the heat of the honey. Take care not to let the nuts burn and turn dark and bitter. When done, stir in the remaining spice mixture.
• When the nucato is done, pour it out onto a sheet pan or cookie sheet lined with parchment paper; spread it into an even layer with the cut surface of a halved lemon. Cool completely before serving.

HONEY SPICED NUT MIX

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350-deg. F. Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine sugar and salt and set aside.
• Combine honey, black pepper, cumin, coriander, paprika and cayenne in a bowl and mix well. Add mixed nuts and stir to thoroughly coat. Spread nut mixture evenly in a single layer on prepared sheet pan and bake until toasted and fragrant, about 10 to 11 minutes.
• Remove from oven and let cool until barely warm, then transfer to sugar mixture and toss to evenly coat. Return to sheet pan and cool completely. Transfer to airtight container or divide nuts into two portions and package for gift giving. Nuts will keep 5 days at room temperature, tightly sealed.

HONEY NUT CRUNCH PEARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180/gas 6. Cut the pears in half lengthways, take out the core (see tip, left), then top with a small knob of butter and a sprinkling of the mixed spice. Sit the pears in a shallow baking dish, then roast for 5 mins until starting to soften. Meanwhile, heat the honey and another knob of butter in a large bowl in the microwave for 30 secs. Toss with the cornflakes and nuts.
• Take the pears out of the oven, then top with the cornflake mix. Cook for another 5 mins or until the cornflakes take on a rich golden colour. Allow to cool for a few mins (the cornflakes crisp up again as they cool), then serve warm with ice cream.