My recipe for tonight's tasty treat is for Candied Pecans. (Of course you can substitute other nuts, but if you're looking for a dairy free option, using margarine instead of butter does NOT work. Pop me an e-mail and I'll give you a different recipe--amy@khum.com)

CANDIED PECANS

Ingredients:

1/4 C (1/2 stick) butter

2 C Pecan halves

1 C Brown Sugar

large pinch Salt

dash Cayenne Pepper

Tsp Cinnamon

Melt half a stick of butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add 2 cups of Pecans & toss with butter until they begin to toast (you will smell the nuts quickly). Then add a large pinch of salt (if using salted butter omit this extra salt) and 1 cup of brown sugar and heat until it forms a bubbly caramel. At this point you can add spices: I like to use a dash of cayenne pepper and some cinnamon. Stir thoroughly to coat & turn out onto parchment paper or a silicon mat. The nuts will be EXTREMELY hot, so resist the temptation to eat one until they cool.

These make a great gift and are excellent in a special salad.