We Like Nuts Spicy or Sweet

SUE'S FAVORITE SPICED PECANS

Quick to make and a great gift! Be sure to give these plenty of tossing and drying room.

Preheat oven to 325 F.

Combine the following spices in a small bowl & set aside ~~

1/2 teaspoon:  ground cumin, chili powder, curry powder, & garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon:  cayenne pepper, ground ginger, ground cinnamon

Heat 2 T olive oil in a skillet over low heat. Add spices and stir well. Simmer 3-4 minutes to mellow the flavors.

Place 2 cups shelled pecan halves in mixing bowl, add spice mixture, and toss well. Spread nuts in a single layer on baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, shaking the pan a couple times.

Remove from oven and toss nuts with a rubber spatula to mix accumulated spices and oil. Sprinkle with coarse salt and more garlic salt if desired. Allow to rest for 2 hours. Store in airtight jars.

Linda's Grandma Prudy's Butter Pecan Cookies

• 1 cup salted butter, softened
•  2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
•  1 egg yolk
•  2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
•  1/2 teaspoon salt (I use kosher salt)
•  50-60 pecan halves

1. In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream butter and brown sugar. Beat it for at least 2-3 minutes, stopping to scrape the sides and bottom.
2. Add the egg yolk and beat well.
3. Add the flour & salt. Mix until it forms a ball, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl. When all the flour is incorporated, stop beating. (Over beating makes for a tough dough.)
4. Cover the bowl and chill for about an hour. (If you are doubling the recipe, be sure to chill for more like 2-3 hours. They will bake flat if the dough is not cold. You can freeze the dough too, if you want.)
5. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. 
6. Form the dough into 1 inch balls. Place on the cookie sheet with one inch of space in between each cookie.
7. Flatten each ball once with a fork. If the fork is sticking, dip it in flour, then press on the cookie.
8. Press a pecan on top, perpendicular to the fork marks.
9. Bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes or until they are no longer shiny on the top or edges.* I don't let mine get brown, or if they do, it is a very small amount on the bottom edges.