Spiced Candied Walnuts

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• peanuts or canola oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 4 cups walnut halves
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted

Recipe

• 1 in a deep saucepan, pour oil to a depth of at least 3 inches and heat to 350 degrees f.
• 2 while the oil is heating, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• 3 measure the salt, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and black pepper into a small bowl and mix well.
• 4 holding the nuts in a sieve, dip them briefly into the boiling water, about 1 minute for large halves.
• 5 (blanching removes some of the tannins and makes walnuts taste sweet).
• 6 transfer to a large bowl with a little water clinging to them.
• 7 while the nuts are still hot and wet, add the sugar and toss well to evenly coat.
• 8 the sugar will melt on contact with the hot nuts.
• 9 keep stirring and tossing until all the sugar has melted.
• 10 if bits of unmelted sugar remain on the nuts, they will not fry properly.
• 11 stir the nuts again before frying.
• 12 using a large slotted spoon, transfer a few nuts to the hot oil, allowing the foam to subside before adding another spoonful.
• 13 (otherwise, the oil could foam over and burn you).
• 14 fry in small batches until the nuts are medium brown, about 1 minute.
• 15 be careful not to overcook.
• 16 scatter on an unlined baking sheet to cool slightly.
• 17 while the nuts are still warm, transfer them to a bowl and sprinkle evenly with about half of the spice mix.
• 18 toss well to distribute the spices and then taste a nut.
• 19 add more spice mix, to taste, and toss well after each addition.
• 20 when cool, pack in an airtight jar.
• 21 they will keep at room temperature for at least 2 weeks.