Wolfgang Pucks Spicy Caramelized Pecans Food

SPINACH SALAD WITH CARAMELIZED PECANS

Steps:

• Melt butter in small frying pan over low heat.
• Add pecans and brown sugar.
• Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly until mixture is caramelized.
• Spread out on wax paper to cool.
• In bowl toss together spinach, pecans, apple and cheese.
• Add oil and vinegar and toss again until everything is coated.
• Chef's note: To make ahead for a special dinner--toss apple with dressing. Layer on greens, cheese and pecans. Cover with plastic wrap and put in refrigerator until needed, tossing just before serving.

WOLFGANG PUCK'S SPICY CARAMELIZED PECANS

Steps:

• Add pecans to a pot of boiling water in two batches, boiling for two minutes Drain and shake off all excess water.
• Sprinkle salt and cayenne over nuts.
• Coat with sugar, allowing the sugar to melt into the pecans.
• Toss the nuts in the strainer, slowly adding all sugar.
• DO NOT USE UTENSIL TO TOSS.
• Carefully add nuts to hot oil.
• Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove with slotted spoon and allow to cool on cookie sheet.

SPICED CARAMELIZED PECANS

Steps:

• In a deep-fryer or a deep pot, heat the oil to 350 degrees. (A deep-frying thermometer can be clipped to the side of the pan so that you can tell when the proper temperature has been reached).
• Meanwhile, in a large saucepan bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add the pecans and boil for 2 minutes. Drain in a large strainer, shaking off all excess water. Sprinkle the salt and cayenne pepper over the nuts and then coat with the confectioners' sugar, a little at a time, allowing the sugar to melt into the pecans. Toss the nuts by shaking the strainer, adding a little more sugar each time, until all the sugar is used and all the nuts are coated. Do not use hands or a spoon to toss. The nuts should have a glaze of sugar.
• Carefully add the nuts to the heated oil, keeping the oil at 350 degrees F. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon to a baking tray to cool.

SPINACH AND BLUE CHEESE SALAD WITH SLICED APPLES AND SPICED CARAMELIZED PECANS

Steps:

• Cut the apple into quarters, remove the stem and the seeds, and cut into very thin slices. Sprinkle lemon juice over the slices and set aside.
• When ready to serve, in a salad bowl, combine the apple, spinach, radicchio, and blue cheese. Season lightly with salt and pepper and toss with the dressing. Adjust seasoning, to taste.
• To serve, divide the salad among 4 plates and sprinkle the pecans around each salad.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the shallots and the mustard. Whisk in the vinegars, and then the olive and vegetable oils. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a covered container and refrigerate until needed.
• Yield: 1 1/4 cups
• Recipe courtesy Wolfgang Puck, "Adventures in the Kitchen", Random House, 1991
• In a deep-fryer or a deep pot, heat the oil to 350 degrees F. (A deep-frying thermometer can be clipped to the side of the pan so that you can tell when the proper temperature has been reached).
• Meanwhile, in a large saucepan bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add the pecans and boil for 2 minutes. Drain in a large strainer, shaking off all excess water. Sprinkle the salt and cayenne pepper over the nuts and then coat with the confectioners' sugar, a little at a time, allowing the sugar to melt into the pecans. Toss the nuts by shaking the strainer, adding a little more sugar each time, until all the sugar is used and all the nuts are coated. Do not use hands or a spoon to toss. The nuts should have a glaze of sugar.
• Carefully add the nuts to the heated oil, keeping the oil at 350 degrees F. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon to a baking tray to cool.
• Yield: 2 cups
• Recipe courtesy Wolfgang Puck, "Pizza, Pasta & More!," Random House, 2000

SPICY HONEY-GLAZED BABY PORK RIBS (WOLFGANG PUCK)

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix together the ingredients except for the ribs. Place the ribs in a container large enough to hold them, one slab on top of another, and pour the marinade over the meat. Cover and let it marinate in the refrigerator overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 300°F and pour half the marinade in a baking pan. Add the ribs and bake turning frequently for the next 2 hours or until the meat is tender.
• Under a preheated broiler or on a wood fired grill, glaze ribs for 3-4 minutes per side. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
• Remove ribs and cut each side into individual pieces. Arrange overlapping on plates or on a platter and spoon the warm marinade over the meat.

SPINACH SALAD WITH STRAWBERRIES AND CARAMELIZED PECANS

Steps:

• CARAMELIZED PECANS: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Heat and stir on low until the sugar is dissolved.
• Increase heat to medium-high and boil mixture for 5-10 minutes without stirring; until syrup is golden brown. Watch boiling process carefully! Please be careful not to burn yourself!
• Arrange the pecans in a single layer on a lightly greased baking sheet.
• Drizzle the simple syrup over the pecans. Stir to coat. Allow to stand 20 minutes or so to cool and harden. Chop coarsely once cooled.
• STRAWBERRY DRESSING: Combine all dressing ingredients in a tight fitting jar with a lid and shake well. Yield 1/2 cup.
• SALAD: Meanwhile, arrange the washed spinach leaves on six individual salad plates. Top with pecan mixture, strawberries, cheese and shallots. Serve dressing on side.

WOLFGANG PUCK'S NO COOK GAZPACHO

Steps:

• ---Prepare gazpacho:.
• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients (except for topping ingredients and garnishes).
• Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Transfer to food processor, pulse until almost pureed, leaving a little texture.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Return to bowl, cover and refrigerate another hour before serving.
• ---Prepare Topping:
• In a medium bowl, combine all the topping ingredients until well blended.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Cover and refrigerate until needed.
• ---To serve:
• Ladle 10 to 12 ounces into chilled soup plates.
• Top with 1/4 cup of the topping mixture, 2 shrimp and a sprig of cilantro.
• Place a wedge of lime on the rim of the plate.