Snack Recipes - Fancy Nuts

Cracked Black Pepper Sugar Almonds

Source: The Spicy Food Lover's Bible

2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup raw almonds

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil and lightly butter the foil.

Combine the pepper and garlic salt in a bowl, and stir to mix.

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and, when melted, add the sugar and stir in 2 teaspoons water. Simmer the mixture until the sugar melts. Add the nuts and continue to cook until the sugar bubbles, becomes thick and syrupy and coats the nuts, about 5 minutes.

Sprinkle the pepper mixture over the top of the nuts and quickly toss to coat. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Put the pan in the oven and roast until the nuts are golden brown, about 10 minutes.

Remove the foil with the nuts and place on a wire rack to cool. When the nuts are cool enough to handle, break them apart and serve. Store in an airtight container.

Makes 1 cup, or about 8 appetizer servings.