Southern Living Toasted Pecans Food

TOASTED PECAN-CARAMEL SAUCE RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant.
• Sprinkle sugar in an even layer in a small saucepan. Stir together syrup and 1/3 cup water, and pour over sugar in saucepan. Cook, without stirring, over medium-high heat 12 to 14 minutes or until sugar is dissolved and mixture is golden.
• Remove from heat. Gradually whisk in evaporated milk. (Mixture will bubble.) Stir in butter and toasted pecans.

SWEET AND SPICY PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat to 350 degrees F. Whisk egg whites until they are doubled in volume and stick to the whisk (just before "soft peak" stage). Gradually whisk in sugar and salt. Add spices: paprika, chipotle, cumin, paprika and coriander. Whisk to combine. Add pecans, then use a rubber spatula to toss, coating the nuts evenly.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread nuts in a single layer. Bake on the middle rack for 10 minutes.
• Remove baking sheet. Use a spatula to flip pecans, breaking up any clumps, working quickly so they don't lose their heat. Bake an additional 10-20 minutes. (Total baking time will vary depending on size and moisture content of nuts.) When pecans are ready, they will be dark brown; when tapped with a spoon, they should sound dry and flat. Remove from oven and cool before serving. Pecans will keep for 2 weeks at room temperature stored in an airtight container.

SOUTHERN SPICED PECANS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt butter. Add cumin and cayenne; cook and stir for 1 minute. Remove from the heat; stir in the pecans, sugar and salt; toss to coat. , Spread in a single layer in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 300° for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Cool. Store in an airtight container.

SOUTHERN LIVING'S TOASTED COCONUT CREAM CHEESE BANANA NUT BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Place 3/4 cup pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake 12-15 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring after 6 minutes. Remove and reserve 1/4 cup toasted pecans.
• Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add 1 cup sugar, beating until fluffy and light. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
• Combine flours and next 4 ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
• Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in bananas, 3/4 cup toasted pecans, and vanilla.
• Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured 8X4 inch pans.
• Bake at 350°F for one hour or until a long wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and sides of bread pull away from pan, shielding with aluminum foil during last 15 minutes to prevent excessive browning, if necessary.
• Meanwhile, cook 1/4 cup cup fat free evaporated milk, 2 TBSP brown sugar and 1 TBSP butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, 3 to 4 minutes or until bubbly. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut, reserved toasted pecans and 1/2 TSP vanilla extract.
• Remove bread from oven; immediately spread tops lightly with coconut mixture. Broil 51/2 inches from heat 2-3 minutes or until topping starts to lightly brown Cool in pans on wire racks 20 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks; cool 30 minutes before slicing.

ASPARAGUS PASTA WITH TOASTED PECANS

Steps:

• Prepare pasta according to package direction; rinse and drain.
• Snap off tough ends of asparagus, and slice into 2-inch pieces.
• Sauté asparagus in hot oil in a large skillet over medium heat; 4 minutes.
• Stir in red bell pepper and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, for an additional 2 minutes.
• Stir in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, and simmer 2 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender.
• Stir in salt and pepper.
• Toss together pasta, asparagus mixture, basil, 1/2 cup cheese, butter and 1/2 cup pecans.
• Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/4 cup cheese and 1/2 cup pecans.
• Garnish if desired.
• Serves 6.