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Holiday Spiced Pecans (Da Vinci's Nuts)

Photo Credit
Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock
The Editors
Category
Candy
Meatless
Course
Appetizers
Occasions
Christmas
Thanksgiving
Preparation Method
Roast
Credit
Patty Sanders
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Ho, ho, ho, holiday nuts! Bringing you a roasted Holiday Spiced Pecans recipe that our nutritionist Patty calls “Da Vinci’s Nuts.” There are no refined sugars in this unique spiced nuts recipe—and it’s very healthy as well as deliciously addictive! The scent is amazing, too.

Editor’s note: This was such a big hit with our guests! It makes a great holiday gift for relatives and friends, too. If you don’t have garam masala on hand, you can certainly use some of the ingredients that this Indian space is made of (cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, black pepper and coriander). The dust of powered rue at the end of roasting is completely optional; only use small amounts. Rue was known to be Leonardo da Vinci‘s favorite herb for helping awaken creativity. Note: Rue is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Watch Patty Sanders, Almanac contributor and nutritionist from Purdue University Extension, show us how to make these yummy roasted spiced nuts!

Ingredients
12 ounces pecans
1 teaspoon butter
1 Tablespoon garam masala ( Indian Spice made with cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, black pepper and coriander)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup maple syrup
Dust of powdered Rue (optional)
Instructions

In a warm skillet, melt butter. Add pecans, garam masala, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and salt. Add maple syrup.

"Roast" the pecans in the same skillet for 10 to 15 minutes on medium heat while stirring them with a wooden spoon until the syrup adheres to the nuts.

OPTIONAL: Add a dusting of rue if available/desired.

Remove nuts to cool down on a cookie sheet and separate them before they harden.

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Comments

Mary (not verified)

1 year 7 months ago

The recipe seems incomplete. What is done with the pecans after mixing in the skillet and adding seasonings? No instructions on roasting them, drying them, what is done with them after they are in the skillet?

Hi Mary,

Once you add the spices, roast the pecans in the skillet for 10 to 15 minutes on medium heat while stirring them with a wooden spoon until the syrup adheres to the nuts. I usually leave them to cool down on a cookie sheet and separate them before they hardened. Happy New Year!

Tom Chase (not verified)

1 year 7 months ago

Upon reading about RUE, it can be grown locally, a search will have links. It's also a great butterfly attracting plant and will grown almost every where. BUT it's also known to be toxic. Should do research before using it.
Common Name(s): Garden Rue Herb of Grace
Phonetic Spelling Ruta graveolens ROO-tah grah-vay-OH-lens

I'd eliminate it from this recipe.

Thank you for your comment Tom. You are right that rue can be toxic specially to pregnant women. I only do minimal dusting of rue and it's optional. You may want to explore Ethiopian cuisine where you will find rue flavors more noticeable. Happy New Year.

Pamela G. (not verified)

1 year 11 months ago

How many servings or even cups of nuts should this yield. This would be nice to know if planning to create multiple gifts or prepare for large or multiple functions. Many thanks.

Hi Pamela,

I apologize for the delay in getting back to you. This recipe yields approximately 3 cups. You may want to make 1/4 cup portions in containers or cellophane bags once the nuts have cooled off.

Julie (not verified)

2 years 7 months ago

Can you use almonds or cashews or any other kind of nut?

Susan (not verified)

2 years 7 months ago

The recipe for DaVinci's nuts did not include the salt or cayenne pepper she spoke of in the video, nor did she add any rue to her recipe when she made it. What are the amounts for these items?

Thank you Susan, we appreciate your feedback!
Yes, we will add these ingredients to the recipe!
The salt and pepper is season to taste.
We will update the additional information soon!
Thank you kindly,
Patty Sanders

The dust of powered rue at the end of roasting is completely optional; only use small amounts. Rue was known to be Leonardo da Vinci‘s favorite herb for helping awaken creativity.