Snack Pairings: Honey Pecans

I keep a variety of mixed fruit and nuts in my cupboard because I usually make homemade granola and jar-size snack mixes. But, there are occasions when I just need a small portion of toasted nuts for a quick snack or recipe. So, I decided to make toasted pecans with honey, a hint of lemon, and no added cane sugar.

I am actually using these for an upcoming dish, and I only wanted to make enough for my recipe. Otherwise, I would be on honey pecan overload, although it wouldn’t be the worse obsession to have.

Thankfully, I have a gigantic freezer and freeze some of the unused peanuts and mixed nuts in small bundles for making smoothies, butter, mills, and many other epicurean masterpieces. This is also very helpful if you are on-the-go; a little sweet dab of raw organic honey is easy enough to satisfy the palate, awaken those gastronomic glands, if you will, and will certainly have you thirsty for more.

Caution: honestly, you’ll literally be thirsty as well, so do have a bottle of water nearby whilst sampling the goods. Let’s not forget the crisp tasty crunch of your favourite buttery nuts, be it almonds, cashews, or pecans, which can take the place of (insert your favourite junk-food here or) a less than protein infused treat.

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This quick recipe is so simple and delicious. If you don’t like honey, you can use agave, etc. I also make seasonal snack mixes, especially during Christmas holidays. We make a spicy pumpkin seed, and fruit and mixed nut version, amongst others.

*Tip: Sometimes I toss them in little bags (beautifully decorated, of course), and send them off to my guests when they leave a dinner gathering. If you really love them, then it also helps to know their favourite indulgence(s). Are they more of a savoury or sweet snack lover. They will love you even more! You can thank me later.

What’s one of your favourite and easy homemade snacks?

Prep: 5 min. Cook 10 min.

Bake: 180 C/350 F/ Gas mark 4

Ingredients: 

200g (2 cups) pecans (halves)

1 tablespoon quality butter (softened)

1 teaspoon coarse sea salt

1tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

3 tablespoons raw organic honey

1 tablespoon water

Method: 

1. In a small bowl, mix water, butter, honey, and lemon juice together, slowly stirring in pecans with a spoon. 
2. After pecans are coated, Spread coated pecans out evenly on a large square of greaseproof paper or on a non-stick baking tray. You can pour the rest of the honey mixture on top of pecans. 
3. Preheat oven to 180 C. Bake pecans, stirring occasionally, 7-10 minutes, you should be able to smell the pecan toasting.  
4. Remove from oven, and sprinkle coarse sea salt on top. 
5. After the pecans are completely cooled, store in a clear jar with lid, a closed zip-top bag, or in a covered container at room temperature. They can also be refrigerated.