An Adorable Nutty Treat — Un adorable délice aux noix

P. and I love to eat nuts. Les pécanes, les noix de cajou, les noisettes, les pistaches, les cacahouètes, les pignons de pin, les noix du Brésil, les graines de sésame, les graines de tournesol, les amandes. Ouf, I need to take a breath! We must have tried them all. You might not believe me of I told you — or showed you — the piles of containers that I have in my cupboard, full of all the possible and imaginable nuts that exist on the market. Living in the Armenian side of town helps, this is a fact. Numerous delicatessen stores are just there, stocked up in these wonderful supplies. I actually store nuts en tous genres like a squirrel. I first discovered that I could buy them under the bulk form in stores in the US, at places like WholeFoods and other organic stores. And let me tell you how happy that made me. These stores are a true wonderland for nuts and grains lovers.

Nuts are good in salads, cakes, bread, snacks and in these super easy and fast-to-make caramelized sweet nutty treats. Cheesy to say but I will say it all the same: P. and I are nuts about them!

To make these nutty treats, you literally only need five minutes preparation, fifteen minutes cooking time. Why would you resist ? We did not and were very happy to nibble on them on board of the plane that took us to Chicago for the weekend. Airport food in the US, l’horreur, at least on my side of the country!

Caramelized Mixed Nuts Treats

(For about 8 to 10, depending on size, 2.5 to 3″ in diameter)

You need :

  • 14 oz mixed silvered almonds and walnut halves
  • 4 Tbsp liquid honey (your favorite flavor)
  • Confectioner’s sugar
  • Spices like cinnamon or even cayenne pepper (optional)


Steps:

  • Preheat your oven at 350 F.
  • In a bowl, mix the nuts with the honey.
  • Take a Silpat (placed on a baking sheet) and place small amounts of nuts in the shape of a circle (use a ring mold to help you if necessary). Press gently with the back of a spoon on them so that they stick together.
  • Sprinkle with the the confectioner’s sugar and spices of your choice (if using).
  • Put them in the oven for about 10 to 15 mns, or until the nuts have reached a nice golden color.
  • Remove and let completely cool down before removing from the silpat.


(Note : When you take the nuts out of the oven, the caramel is still warm and liquid. The nuts will stay together once the caramel hardens).

Le coin français

Délices au mélange de noix caramélisées
(Pour 8 à 10, selon la taille, entre 6 et 7,5 cm de diamètre)

Ingrédients :

  • 200 g de mélange d’amandes effilées et de cerneaux de noix
  • 4 càs de miel liquide (celui que vous préfèrez)
  • Sucre glace
  • Épices comme de la cannelle ou même du poivre de cayenne (facultatif)

Étapes :

  • Préchauffez votre four à 180 C.
  • Dans un bol, mélangez les noix avec le miel liquide.
  • Prenez un tapis en silicone (placé sur une plaque de cuisson) et faites de petits tas avec les noix que vous aplatissez en forme de rond avec le dos d’une cuiller (utilisez un petit cercle si nécessaire)
  • Saupoudrez de sucre glace et d’une épice de votre choix (si vous en utilisez).
  • Mettez au four pendant 10 à 15 mns, ou jusqu’à ce que les noix aient une belle couleur dorée.
  • Sortez-les du four et laissez complètement refroidir avant de les décoller du tapis.


(Remarque : quand vous sortez les noix du four, le caramel est toujours chaud et liquide. Les noix restent ensemble une fois que le caramel durcit.)

Posted in Dessert, Gluten Free

17 comments

  1. I miss being able to buy in bulk. I think that is why I go crazy and buy a lot when I go back to the States. These caramelized nuts sound wonderful! I love nuts too. Merry Christmas, Bea!

  2. Oh Bea,
    I have a good laugh when you said you store nuts like squirrels 😀 And so true, food on american airlines is UFO to me (unidentified fishy objects)
    Thanks for sharing your joy and this lovely recipe with us. Merry Christmas!

  3. I am with you on the nuts, Béa! I still believe they are the very best treat at the holidays. For me, they are even above chocolate!

    A very Merry Christmas to you and P!

  4. Une recette que je compte très très vite réaliser cette semaine pour pouvoir offrir à ma maman et ma soeur, venues passer le réveillon de Noël les bras chargés de petites douceurs de ce genre…
    Merci pour cette idée brillante Béa !
    Amicalement blog et un très joyeux Noël à toi et toute ta famille !
    Ingrid

  5. J’adore! J’ai fait des amandes au caramel aussi, c’est si bon!
    Bonnes fetes de fin d’annee chez vous!

  6. Oh my! Any combination of caramel and nuts is a winner, but I like the addition of cinnamon or cayenne to add a little kick to these sweet treats!