I’ve been making a variation of these nuts for the last 15 years. The original version, in my cookbook Homemade with Love, was inspired by Mikey’s love of savory, sweet, salty snacks, and included cocoa powder and paprika to create that perfect balance of sweet and savory. Isabella had a teacher in elementary school who looked forward to a gift package of those candied pecans every year to eat on the plane ride back to France to see her family for the holidays. Experience has taught me French people never compliment anything unless they truly love it.
This version is a more straightforward candied nut with the addition of a splash of soy sauce that acts as a flavor enhancer without any perceptible taste of soy sauce. I sprinkle these nuts throughout my Christmas cookie tins but you can also package them in small cellophane bags or mason jars. An addictive snack on their own, they’re also great for adding to salads or cheese boards. You could even chop them up and stir into a batch of chocolate chip cookie dough or brownies.
When I originally shared this recipe back in 2013, I paired it with the song Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses. People either love or hate that song, and I’m firmly in the “I love it!” camp.
While doing a search to see if a video had ever been made (the things we do at 5am…), I came across this clip about the origins of the song, written by Chris Butler. It’s a quirky, less than 4-minute watch, and a good reminder to keep doing what you love because sometimes the things we write off as nothing end up rewarding us in unimaginable ways.
My first two cooking classes were a great success, and both sold out, as is the case for the upcoming challah baking class on Sunday. The last class of the year will be on Wednesday, December 14th, and we’ll be making latkes! This class also kicks off a new monthly weeknight series, Community Cooking Class. The class is open to all levels and free, with the option to purchase tickets at two levels if you’d like (part of the proceeds go towards my monthly food donation to Family of Woodstock).
While class is free, advance registration is required. You can do that by clicking here. These classes will be the second Wednesday of every month at 8pm (mark your calendars!), and my way of giving back to the vast community that's supported me the last 14 years. The class is limited to 100 people since that’s the max my Zoom account allows. Feel free to share this info far and wide–I’m looking forward to seeing long time people and hopefully some new faces, too.
I’m off to start my workday, and already feeling sleepy at only 7:43am since I spent a late night wrapping homemade pistachio nougat. At least it’s Wednesday and the week is halfway done, so there’s that. Hope your day is filled with moments of peace. Be well, and remember to be kind. –xo, j.
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