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I think a little birdie heard me. Last week I was talking about how I loved getting packages in mail with my name on them. Well, it was just a few days later when my husband went to the door and came back with a shoe-box size package .. for me! The return address was California. Hmmmm ... I shook it, turned it over several times and tried to guess what it was, but in the end, I didn't have a clue. When I very carefully hastily (like a wild animal! - photographer/husband's edit) opened the box, I found a lovely surprise .............. a humunga bunga bag of the prettiest, biggest, plumpest walnuts (organic English walnuts to be precise) I've ever had the pleasure of meeting!
A virtual friend of The Café named Brit happens to have a walnut farm in California called Filmore Farms. She thoughtfully packaged and sent the beautiful walnuts via the U.S. Postal Service, and I happily received them .............. and it wasn't long before walnut creations began swirling and twirling in this girl's head.
- 4 teaspoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 cup walnuts
- ¾ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
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Preheat oven to 325˚F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil. If using foil, spray with cooking spray or lightly grease with oil.
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Combine butter, olive oil, brown sugar, honey, apple pie spice, and sea salt in a medium-size sauté pan. Cook over medium heat until bubbly and well combined, stirring occasionally.
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Add walnuts and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring continuously with a heat-proof spatula or wooden spoon till golden and sugar mixture binds to the walnuts. Turn onto prepared pan, and working quickly, separate nuts with wooden spoon or spatula. Be careful the nuts will be very hot!
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Place pan in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until nuts are a deep, golden brown. Stir nuts occasionally during baking time, then spread out again to a single layer. Remove from oven. Cool completely, then store in an airtight container.
Vicki Bensinger says
Oh Chris these look mouthwatering. What a great recipe and so creative especially for this time of year. I look forward to trying these. I'm sure they won't last long in my house.
Susan Lester says
Chris - I got so excited when I saw your post because I live very close to Fillmore - but, alas, the orchard is in Northern CA, not Southern! Our Fillmore grows citrus galore - nuts are further north.
Walnuts are my favorite nut and I know that if I had a bowl of these that I wouldn't stop eating them until it was empty and I was licking my fingers.
Cathy says
Oh my....I bet they are addicting!
Mari @ Once Upon a Plate says
Chris, You (and Brit) brought back a flood of memories for me... my (late) aunt and uncle used to have walnut orchards . . . along with apricot and Italian plums, in California not far from our house, a long time ago ~ lot's of happy times spent in playing on their ranch and in those orchards! All of those acres were turned into a huge housing tract several years ago ... But I remember Candied Walnuts that my grandfather and my mom made from those walnuts ~ simple, but so good! These walnuts look superb, and I LOVE your take on them. They are a must do for the holiday season.
Thanks for sharing! xoxo
P.S. You and your husband are a perfect combination; you produce such gorgeous food and he captures them in such a beautiful way ~ I always leave your blog with a big smile on my face. 😀
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
These walnuts look so good, I think I'd have to hide them from myself! 😉
Shashi Charles says
Golly - these look so tempting!
The Mom Chef says
Oh my gosh. That gift from Brit is a gift that keeps on giving because look at what you've done for us! So, I thank Brit and I thank you. The nuts look dangerous though. They're the kind of thing I'd have to portion out for myself or I'd eat the whole batch. 🙂
Sam Hoffer @ My Carolina Kitchen says
What a nice friend. Love the candied walnuts. Bet no one can eat just one 🙂
Sam
Lenia says
What a great idea!They seem delicious!
Madonna/aka/Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon says
Excellent recipe. I could eat the whole bowl all by myself.
Kitchen Riffs says
I love walnuts! These look wonderful - super flavoring. Really an inspired recipe - thanks so much.
La Table De Nana says
Our own fantastic cookbook..every time:)
Did you tear open the box?LOL:)
You didn't even have to say that..because I remember you telling us:)
You should see my soda crackers:)
Anonymous says
Soda crakers how do you prepare those dear.
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Chris these look utterly irresistible. I may just have to whip up a few batches to go in Christmas hampers this year.
Sandra Lee says
I love that you added cardamom and you are one lucky lady!
- spoonstories- says
Oups that is so intresting! I like it a lot!!
Brit Fillmore says
Oh my, Chris. The recipe looks delicious--one that I'm sure the farm crew is going to rate VERY high on the "Like" list! Thank for for sharing it with all of us that are such fans of your out here!
Angie Schneider says
So crunchy and irresistible!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
I will snack on these for sure!
Pam says
What a great idea! These look and sound amazing.
Elisabeth Foodandthrift says
I can think of so many different ways to use these awesome, yummy candied walnuts. Gift giving would be my #1 choice...on salads, as a delicious snack, on top of cakes, or chopped up for additional decorations...the list goes on-an-on, and most people like walnuts for sure...thanks for sharing! xo
Lynn@Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
My immediate thought was... oooh, I like the sound of that! Lucky girl-enjoy:@)
Foodycat says
They look gorgeous! What a lovely treat.
Gloria Baker says
these waltnuts look really delicious!!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
How creative, Chris! These walnuts are full of flavor for sure...and I love them!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Oh Chris - these are wonderful ... I could eat a big fat handful before coffee! That was a lovely gift and you did a wonderful job creating a delicious recipe~