caramelized pecans

You've probably seen me mention that I can't make salads.  I just can't.  For as long as I can remember, I've been completely inept at salad making...until now, that is.

I decided that this was the year to change things, so I've been experimenting in the salad realm.  These pictures are of the salad I made for our Easter dinner.  It featured spinach, blue cheese, bacon, blueberries...yum!  One of my favorite additions to this salad were the caramelized pecans.

We like putting nuts on salad, and it's even more special when they have a sweetness to them.  The best part...they are easy to make.  All you do is stir brown sugar, butter, and pecans in a skillet for about 3 minutes until caramelized.  That's it!

Then, you just set the pecans out to cool on waxed paper before adding them to your salad.  Total time from start to finish: 5 minutes.  Total ingredients: 3.  Total dishes to wash: 1.  I love it!

These pecans have a very subtle sweetness to them.  If you want something a bit more overpowering, you could always reduce the amount of pecans that you use (or increase the butter and brown sugar).  Next time I make them, I plan on using pecan halves and roasting them in the oven for a few minutes before caramelizing them.  I have a feeling that these will be a regular feature in our salads.

 

Caramelized Pecans

1 T. butter

1/2 cup pecans

1 T. brown sugar

Melt butter in skillet over low heat; add pecans and brown sugar.  Cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes or until caramelized.  Cool on wax paper before serving.