FIRE-DRIED WALNUTS OR PECANS

FIRE-DRIED WALNUTS OR PECANS image

Categories Nut

Yield 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 4

Ingredients

1/2 pound (2 cups) plump and perfect walnut or pecan halves
2 teaspoons fresh corn or peanut oil
1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
2 Tablespoons sugar

Steps:

SOAKING AND DRYING THE NUTS: Put the nuts in a heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water, then soak for 30 minutes. Drain, pat dry, then spread evenly on a large jelly-roll pan or baking pan lined with a triple thickness of paper towels. If you are doing a double or triple recipe, arrange the nuts on two pans. Dry 30 minutes in the middle section of a preheated 300 degree oven. Turn the tray, reduce oven to 250, then check 10-minute intervals and remove the nuts from the oven when they are almost entirely dry, with just a kernel of moistness at the core. Test nuts from several spots on the tray to be sure. If you are not proceeding immediately to caramelize them, put the nuts in a shallow bowl to cool, stirring occasionally. Once cool, the nuts may be bagged airtight and kept for 2 days before continuing. CARAMELIZING THE NUTS: Heat a wok or heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot. Add the oil, swirl to coat, then add the nuts. Stir gently with a wooden spoon or wooden spatula until they are evenly glossed with oil and feel warm to the touch. Lower the heat immediately if the nuts begin to scorch. Sprinkle the salt over the nuts, stir gently to mix, then slowly sprinkle in the sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until you have a sweetness to suit you. The taste should be lively and sweet, with a hint of salt. Stir constantly while adding the sugar, and break off any caramelized bits that cling to the spoon, stirring them back into the nuts when you are done. The whole process will take 3-4 minutes, and the salt and sugar will melt and adhere to the nuts. Serve the nuts hot or cool, either as hors d'oeuvre or as a pleasantly sweet diversion during a meal, piled high in a bowl with the prettiest pieces on top. Cooled nuts may be bottled airtight and stored in a cool place for up to 2 weeks.