Sweet Salty and Spicy Candied Pecans

Pecans are one of my favorite nuts.  During the holiday season, I will buy a Costco pack for russian teacakes and baklava.  Trader Joe's sells a sweet spicy pecan snack pack which I was addicted to, before finding this recipe.  This is more of a candy glazed coat, rather than dry toasted.  The only adjustment I made from the original recipe is adding a lot more cayenne pepper, but make it to your taste.  These make great snacks to eat alone or chop up and add to salads, especially a spinach cranberry pear and candied pecan salad.  They store well in the pantry in a sealed glass jar.  The longest I have kept them is a month, and still taste as fresh as day one.  I'm sure they would last longer than that though... if I could keep from eating them all first:P. Most of the time I double or even quadruple the recipe, as it doesn't take much more time to make, but then allows for sharing.  Be careful though and don't walk too far away from the oven, these caramelize fast!

Another reason to eat pecans are the health benefits.  According to the internet (and you should believe all things on the internet) , they are a good source of antioxidants, protein, unsaturated fats, and rich in omega-6 fatty acids. Studies show that eating pecans may help lower cholesterol levels similar to what is often seen with cholesterol-lowering medications, play a positive role in neurological health, and delay age-related muscle nerve degeneration.  Snack away!

Sweet Salty and Spicy Candied Pecans
Adapted from Bon Appetit 

Yield: Makes 1 1/2 cups
    Nonstick vegetable oil spray
    3 tablespoons brown rice syrup* (*can be substituted with light corn syrup)
    1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
    3/4 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt
    1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or more (I add 1 tbsp for more heat)
    1 1/2 cups raw whole pecans

Preheat oven to 325;°F. Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray. (Tip: Covering baking sheet with foil first and then spraying, will reduce cleanup time greatly.)  Combine corn syrup and next 4 ingredients in large bowl. Stir to blend. Add pecans, stir gently to coat. Transfer to baking sheet.

Place large piece of foil on work surface, such as countertop. Bake pecans 5 minutes. Using silicon spatula or wooden spoon, stir pecans to coat with melted spice mixture. Continue baking until pecans are golden and coating bubbles, about 15 minutes (up to 10 min more if you want them more caramelized) . Transfer to foil. Working quickly, separate nuts with fork or spatula. Cool. Store airtight at room temperature.