sel et sucre

Tag: candied

  • Honey Cinnamon Almonds

    honey cinnamon almonds 2

    I’m a big fan of candied nuts – which probably isn’t too surprising coming from someone who loves any combination of salty and sweet. They make a great snack and a great additional to these Cool Gifts if you’re planning to give them to someone. I love the ease of this particular preparation where there’s no separating out and beating egg whites, just a simple whisking together of honey with spices. The resulting nuts are a bit stickier than many candied nuts, but I found I didn’t mind at all and still found them addictively tasty. I used almonds here since they’re one of my favorite nuts (and one of the healthiest too!). Cinnamon provides the spicing, and I also added a little ancho chile powder for some heat and smokiness – you can omit this if you’re not a fan of spice or use smoked salt to get the smokiness without the heat.

    (more…)

    Related Posts:

  • Candied Kumquats

    candied kumquats

    Kumquats, if you’ve never had them, are a citrus fruit about the size and shape of grapes. Unlike other citruses, you can eat the peel of a kumquat, and in fact, the peel is pleasantly sweet while the flesh itself is quite tart. These flavors make kumquats great for eating straight, but they’re even better when candied. The basic formula for candying citrus is easy – water, sugar, and fruit. But I’ve changed things up a little here for this recipe. Brown sugar and bourbon add extra sweetness and depth while a dried chile lends a little kick. The result is complex and delicious. These candied kumquats can be used for both savory and sweet applications; they’d be just as at home on top of a salad or in a lamb stew as on top of a cake or mixed into ice cream. My absolutely favorite use, though, is as a replacement for the traditional orange slice and maraschino cherry in an old-fashioned. Top a spoonful of these (making sure to get some of their syrup) with ice, bourbon, and bitters, and you’re really in for a treat.

    (more…)

    Related Posts:

  • Maple Bacon Marshmallows

    maple bacon marshmallows

    The moment I laid eyes on the recipe for these marshmallows, I was determined to make them for s’mores as in the linked recipe (look for my version of the s’mores later in the week). Despite my excitement about this particular combination of flavors, this ended up being a particularly divisive recipe, with reactions varying from enthusiastic pleas for a taste to an incredulous “there’s meat in those?” Bacon in marshmallows may indeed seem strange but when it’s candied bacon alongside maple syrup, it actually makes a lot of sense, especially if you (like me) love salty-sweet combinations. If you had the same reaction as me, you already know you want to make this recipe. If you’re on the edge though, not sure if you’re up to something this strange, I’d like to encourage you to take the plunge. Of course, you could also make this recipe and omit the candied bacon; the base marshmallow is surprisingly easy to throw together with very impressive results. Having never had homemade marshmallows prior to this, I was very pleasantly surprised at the great fluffy yet sticky texture and sweet but not cloying flavor, reminiscent of but far superior to the store bought variety.

    (more…)

    Related Posts:

  • Berbere Candied Walnuts

    candied walnuts

    Let me warn you; these candied walnuts are addictive. After they’ve cooled, you will eat one to taste test and then inevitably decide you need to taste test about ten or twenty more, just to be sure. You will set them out for guests and then find yourself hovering next to the bowl to snack on them yourself. You will want to find ways to include them in everything you eat, from yogurt to salads to cookies. And you will feel an undeniable urge to make another batch once the first has run out.

    Berbere adds a hint of spiciness to the caramelized coating on these nuts, but you can also use garam masala or a mixture of cinnamon and cayenne pepper if you don’t have the Ethiopian spice mix on hand. On that note, feel free to use almonds, peanuts, pecans, or hazelnuts instead of walnuts here. You have lots of options for customizing this basic recipe, and it’s really hard to go wrong. These candied nuts are perfect for giving away as a gift, bringing to parties for a snack. or, you know, hoarding at home.

    (more…)

    Related Posts: