Best Toasted Pecans Recipes

GRILLED ASPARAGUS AND ROASTED MUSHROOM SALAD WITH TOASTED PECANS, BLUE CHEESE AND RED CHILE MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over high heat. Add mushrooms and cook until golden brown. Add thyme and season with salt and pepper. Toss asparagus with a few tablespoons of the vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper. Arrange 1/4 of the mushrooms in the center of each plate. Arrange asparagus around the mushrooms. Sprinkle pecans and blue cheese around the edge of the plate. Drizzle with more of the dressing.
• Whisk together mustard, ancho powder, salt and vinegar, slowly whisk in oil until emulsified. Season with more salt, to taste.

TOASTED PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
• Pour the butter into a medium bowl, and mix in the pecans. Stir until the pecans are well coated.
• Arrange coated pecans in a single layer on one or two medium baking sheets. Sprinkle with salt.
• Bake in the preheated oven approximately 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, cool and store in covered containers.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH TOASTED PECANS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, toast the pecans over medium heat until fragrant and lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Meanwhile, remove any wilted outer leaves from the brussels sprouts and cut off the stems. Soak the sprouts in cold water and drain well.
• Using the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat until bubbly. Add the brussels sprouts and seasoned salt. Stir and cook, tossing frequently, until barely tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Add the brown sugar, pepper and reserved pecans to the skillet. Toss the brussels sprouts to coat and cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar is melted and the brussels sprouts are coated in the melted sugar and pecans, about 2 more minutes. Transfer to a warm serving dish and serve immediately.

MIXED GREENS WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES AND TOASTED PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Toast the pecans in a shallow pan until they begin to get fragrant, about 5 to 7 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Combine the lettuce, mesclun, and onion in a salad bowl. Just before serving, pour on the dressing and toss well. Check to see if you need to add more dressing; you don't want to make the greens too wet. Serve on individual salad plates with the pecans and the cranberries sprinkled on each portion.
• Place all the ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously.

CARROT CAKE PANCAKES WITH MAPLE-CREAM CHEESE DRIZZLE AND TOASTED PECANS

Steps:

• For the pancakes: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spices, baking soda and sea salt in a large bowl. Whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter and vanilla in a large bowl. Add the carrots and orange zest, if using, and mix until smooth. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Fold in the ginger and pecans, if using, and mix until just combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 hours.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Coat the skillet with cooking spray or brush with melted butter. Spoon 1/4 cup mounds of the batter onto the skillet, spreading with a spatula. Cook until the tops are covered with bubbles and the edges look cooked, about 2 minutes. Carefully flip the pancakes over and cook until the bottoms are lightly browned, about 1 minute. Repeat with the remaining batter. Keep the cooked pancakes warm in the oven on a baking sheet, if desired.
• For the maple-cream cheese drizzle: Combine the cream cheese, maple syrup and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment until combined, about 2 minutes.
• To serve: Stack the pancakes on a plate and drizzle with the maple-cream cheese drizzle. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts or pecans, if using.

MIXED GREENS SALAD, PEARS, APPLE AND TOASTED PECANS

Steps:

• In large bowl mix leaf salad greens and romaine lettuce. Leaving peeling on for color, cut apple and pears in bite-size pieces and add to greens.
• Add crumbled blue cheese and toasted pecans. Drizzle only enough vinaigrette dressing to moisten well. Toss well. Serve immediately.

SPICY TOASTED PECANS

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F.
• Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan over moderate heat, then stir in Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, pepper, and salt. Remove pan from heat and add pecans, tossing to coat well. Spread in 1 layer in a shallow baking pan and bake until fragrant and a shade darker, 8 to 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

ARUGULA SALAD WITH POMEGRANATE AND TOASTED PECANS

Steps:

• In medium nonreactive bowl, whisk together vinegars, salt, and pepper. Gradually drizzle in olive oil, whisking until emulsified. Toss arugula with just enough vinaigrette to coat. Sprinkle with pecans and pomegranate seeds and serve.

ENDIVE SPEARS WITH STILTON CHEESE, TOASTED PECANS, AND SAUTEED PEARS

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, over medium heat, add the butter and sugar. Add the diced pears and cook until well caramelized, approximately 8 minutes.
• In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the garlic, red wine vinegar, salt, fresh ground pepper and olive oil. Add the mixture to the Stilton. Assemble the spears 1 by 1, starting with the cheese then the sauteed pear and topping them off with a toasted pecan. These can be garnished with a sprig of watercress or other herb, if desired. Arrange the spears on a plate by first making a small mound of cream cheese and then sticking each spear into the cream cheese in a floral, 3-dimensional pattern.

GREEN BEANS WITH TOASTED PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place pecans on a rimmed baking sheet; toast until fragrant, 6 to 7 minutes.
• Meanwhile, set a steamer basket in a large saucepan. Fill with enough water to come just below basket; bring to a simmer. Place green beans in basket; cover, and steam until crisp-tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Transfer green beans to a serving platter; drizzle with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with pecans.

SPICY TOASTED PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan and add the remaining ingredients one at a time.
• Add pecans last.
• Spread out pecans on foil lined cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes per batch.
• Cool. These are good warm, but better later.

CREPES WITH CARAMEL SAUCE AND TOASTED PECANS

Steps:

• For crepes:
• Combine first 6 ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Let stand 1 hour at room temperature. Blend again before using.
• Brush 8- to 9-inch-diameter nonstick skillet lightly with melted butter. Heat over medium-high heat. Pour scant 1/4 cupful batter into skillet, tilting to allow batter to coat bottom of skillet. Cook until crepe is golden on bottom, about 1 minute. Turn crepe over and cook until brown on bottom, about 45 seconds. Transfer to paper towel. Repeat with remaining batter, making about 24 crepes and stacking crepes between paper towels. Cool.
• For sauce:
• Combine cajeta, milk, and butter in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until sauce is reduced to 2 3/4 cups, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in Cognac.
• Place 1 crepe on work surface. Spread with 1 tablespoon sauce. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chopped pecans. Fold crepe in half over filling, then in half again, forming triangle. Repeat with remaining crepes, sauce, and pecans. Arrange crepes in two 13x9x2-inch glass baking dishes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and chill crepes and remaining sauce separately. Rewarm sauce just until pourable before continuing.)
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour remaining sauce over crepes. Bake until heated through, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with any remaining pecans and serve.

TOASTED BUTTER-GLAZED PECANS

Steps:

• Melt butter in microwave oven.
• Add salt and toss with pecans.
• Place on a cookie sheet for 15 to 20 minutes and bake at 300°F degrees.

GREEN BEANS, TOASTED PECANS, AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large bowl whisk together mustard, vinegar, shallot, and 1/2 tablespoon oil to make dressing. In a small heavy skillet heat remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté pecans with salt to taste, stirring frequently, until a shade darker, about 1 minute. Transfer nuts to paper towels to drain and cool. Coarsely chop nuts.
• Have ready a bowl of ice and cold water. In a large saucepan of boiling salted water blanch beans until just tender, about 3 minutes, and drain in a colander. Transfer beans to ice water, stirring until just cool. Drain beans well and add to dressing. Crumble blue cheese over beans and gently toss with half of nuts and salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve beans at room temperature topped with remaining nuts.

BLINIS WITH TAPIOCA CAVIAR, CANDIED FRUITS, TOASTED PECANS, AND CRèME FRAîCHE

Steps:

• For tapioca:
• Bring 3 quarts water to boil in large saucepan. Add tapioca and boil until tapioca is clear, stirring occasionally, about 16 minutes. Drain; rinse under cold water until cool. Transfer tapioca to medium bowl.
• Pour cream into heavy small saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Bring to simmer. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and salt in medium bowl 1 minute. Gradually whisk hot cream mixture into yolks. Return mixture to saucepan and stir over medium heat until mixture is thick enough to coat back of spoon, about 5 minutes; do not boil. Transfer custard to medium metal bowl. Set over bowl of ice water and stir until custard is cool. Stir 3/4 cup custard into tapioca. Do ahead Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill tapioca and remaining custard separately. Stir all remaining custard into tapioca to loosen before continuing.
• For blinis:
• Cook potatoes and parsnips in separate medium saucepans of boiling salted water until very tender, about 15 minutes. Drain vegetables well, then transfer to sieve set over medium bowl. Force potatoes and parsnips through sieve into bowl. Stir in milk. Whisk in flour in 3 additions. Add eggs 1 at a time, whisking to blend after each addition. Whisk sugar and salt into batter. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold egg whites into batter.
• Line rimmed baking sheet with foil. Heat griddle over medium heat. Brush with oil. In batches, drop batter by rounded tablespoonfuls onto griddle, spreading to form 21/2- to 3-inch rounds. Cook until brown, about 21/2 minutes per side. Transfer to sheet. Do ahead Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, cover tightly with foil, and chill. Rewarm uncovered in 350°F oven, about 7 minutes.
• Divide tapioca among 8 small bowls. Place 1 bowl on each of 8 plates. Divide warm blinis among plates. Arrange dried cherry halves, candied apricot slices, and toasted pecans on plates. Place dollop of crme frache and honey and small mound of ground cinnamon on plates.

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.

PALEO TOASTED MAPLE PECANS

Steps:

• Heat a skillet over medium heat; add pecans and lower heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring constantly, until pecans are lightly crisp and turn a darker brown, about 5 minutes. Remove skillet from stove and slightly cool pecans.
• Mix butter into warm pecans and toss to coat. Turn heat to medium; add maple syrup and stir pecans with a heat-proof or wooden spoon until syrup begins to bubble, 1 to 2 minutes. Turn heat down to low and continue stirring pecans until syrup begins to caramelize onto the pecans, about 5 minutes more. Remove skillet from heat, sprinkle salt over pecans, and stir.

BANANA WAFFLES WITH TOASTED PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° and preheat waffle iron.
• Place pecans in a pie plate or on a baking sheet and spread out so that they are not touching. Bake for 10 minutes or until lightly toasted and golden. Remove from oven and let cool. Coarsely chop and set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 225°.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, mix milk, melted butter and egg yolks. Slowly stir the liquid into the dry ingredients until JUST moistened - lumps are okay. Fold the 1/2" banana pieces into the batter.
• In a clean bowl with a hand mixer, beat or whisk the egg whites at medium speed until frothy. Increase the speed to high and beat or whisk until firm peaks form and hold their shape. Sprinkle both sugars in bowl and beat or whisk until the whites are stiff and glossy. Fold the whites into the batter until no streaks remain.
• Oil, spray or butter the waffle iron. Ladle batter onto each section of the grid rather than placing it in the middle. The grids should be full but not overflowing, or the batter will seep out the sides of the iron when the top is closed. Bake until the waffle is golden, about 6 minutes, depending on the iron. Carefully lift the lid; if the waffles resist at all, they need a bit more cooking time. Transfer the waffle to an oven rack to keep warm. Continue to cook the remaining batter in 3 batches. There should be no need to re-grease the iron between waffles.
• Place waffles on plates and serve with the toasted pecans, banana slices and warmed maple syrup.

CARROT CUMIN SOUP WITH TOASTED PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Make soup:
• In a saucepan cook onion in butter over moderate heat, stirring, until softened. Add carrots, cumin, and salt and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add water and simmer mixture, covered, 25 minutes, or until carrots are very tender.
• Prepare pecans while carrot soup is simmering:
• On a baking sheet toast pecans in middle of oven 8 minutes, or until fragrant and 1 shade darker. Toss pecans with butter a nd salt to taste.
• In a blender purée soup until smooth.
• Divide soup between 2 soup bowls and top with pecans.

BUTTERY SWEET TOASTED PECANS

Steps:

• Melt butter in frying pan over medium heat.
• Stir pecans in butter for 1 minute.
• Sprinkle Cajun seasoning and sugar over nuts and cook, stirring constantly, until sugar has melted and nuts are glazed, about 2 minutes.
• Pour pecans onto a plate and cool slightly.
• Taste and season with salt, if needed.