Put Your Holiday Nutcrackers to Work With These Recipes

Not all nutcrackers are actually capable of cracking nuts, but, if you have some that are, check out these recipes from chef Tree Dilworth.

Sugared Walnuts

• 1 egg white
• 1/2 teaspoon water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 pound walnuts

Preheat oven to 300 degrees farenheit. Beat egg white with a fork and mix in the water in a large bowl. Toss the nuts into the egg white and water mixture until the nuts are all wet. Meanwhile, combine sugar, salt and cinnamon in a large plastic bag. Put the wet nuts into the bag with the sugar, and shake.

Spread out on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes.

Sugared Pecans

The sugared pecan recipe is similar to the sugared walnuts, except that the salt has been reduced to 1/4 teaspoon, the cinnamon and nutmeg have been omitted, and there is a half teaspoon of vanilla instead.

• 1 egg white
• 1/2 teaspoon water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 pound pecans

Preheat oven to 300 degrees farenheit. Beat egg white with a fork and mix in the water, in a large bowl. Toss the pecans into the egg white and water mixture until they are wet. Meanwhile, combine sugar, salt, and vanilla in a large plastic bag. Put the nuts into the bag with the vanilla and sugar, and shake.

Spread out on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes.

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