Sweet and Spicy Pecans (Weekend Potluck #172)

My mother loves a fresh Spinach Salad piled high with strawberries, mandarin oranges, blueberries, and blue cheese and asks me to bring this salad to every family event. But honestly… the thing that makes this salad so amazing is the Sweet and Spicy Pecans that you put on top.

The balance between these sweet but spicy pecans and the coolness of blue cheese with a kick of balsamic dressing will make your tastebuds dance, but you can also eat them by the handful.

Sweet and Spicy Pecans

These sweet and spicy pecans make the perfect topping for any salad but taste amazing on a bed of spinach topped with strawberries, mandarin oranges, blueberries and blue cheese. Yum!

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar divided
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 cups pecan halves
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
3. Mix 1/4 cup sugar into warm water until dissolved. Stir in pecans and set aside to soak for 20 minutes.
4. Mix together remaining sugar and other spices.
5. Drain pecans and sprinkle with spice mixture. Mix until evenly coated and then pour pecans onto prepared baking sheet, patting them into a single layer and separating the pecans if possible.
6. Place in oven and set a timer to stir after five minutes. Pat pecans back into a single layer and cook for another five minutes. Stir again. Return to oven for an additional five minutes and then remove. Pecans will still be wet but allow to cool on the baking sheet and the sugar will harden. Serve.

Weekend Potluck #172

The recipe last week with the most clicks was ~

BLT PASTA SALAD by Everyday Mom’s Meals

Recipes that caught our attention ~

RANCH BLT CHICKEN TACOS by Scrumptilicious 4 You

PEANUT BUTTER SHEET CAKE by Cooking with Carlee

Your hostesses ~

• The Country Cook~ Brandie
• Sunflower Supper Club ~ Kim & Julie
• The Better Baker ~ Marsha
• Frugal Family Favorites ~ Tabitha
• Sweet Little Bluebird~ Mary

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