Addictive Rosemary Pecans

Mmmmmm pecans!! Whats better than pecans? Toasted, seasoned pecans! Thats what this recipe is all about - toasty & spicy. The first time I came across this recipe I thought, wow, what a lame name for a recipe that sounds so good... I mean, surely Cinda Chavich, queen of cookbook writing could come up with a better name for the recipe. However, after I tried them the first time, I understood why the name had to be "Addictive Rosemary Pecans", you seriously can't stop. And an unwritten rule goes that you MUST double this recipe every time you make it, because you won't have enough if you just make one batch! This recipe is so well used that my cookbook actually opens to this page every time I pick it up.

So do try these pecans! You can eat them as is or you can top salads with them or really just do whatever strikes your fancy. But be warned - make the recipe and share it... you won't want to share, but you should. Nuts pack a whole lot of calories & fat grams per serving, so be sure to make yourself share... your waistline (and your husband/ boyfriend) will thank you!

The Addictive Rosemary Pecans
Recipe from the Girl Can't Cook by Cinda Chavich

Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole pecans (I mix it up - last time I did a mix of cashews and pecans)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt (I like kosher)
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp minced fresh rosemary

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Place pecans on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer and toast for 5-10 minutes. The nuts should be hot and fragrant, but watch them carefully so they don't burn.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the olive oil, cayenne pepper, salt and brown sugar, mixing it well to form a slurry. Stir in the rosemary. Pour the hot, toasted nuts into the bowl and toss with the seasoning mix for several minutes, until all the nuts are coated and cooled. Makes about 2 cups.

Oh yeah, did I mention how easy this recipe is? Put the nuts in some pretty glasses (you could use martini glasses or something cute like that) and strategically place on your coffee table when you have guests over. One handful of these and they will be hooked!

Happy Cooking my Friends!