Sweet and Spicy Maple Pecans

Do you ever have the spell-check on your computer tell you something you know is not correct?

Addictively delicious. Every time I type out those words, my computer underlines it in red, telling me there's no such word as "addictively".

Come on, that's not right! I happen to know (don't ask me how) that it's impossible to just eat just a few of these crazy-wonderful, Sweet and Spicy Maple Pecans. Impossible. Each time you take a little handful, resolving it will be the last one, you'll find yourself going back for just a one more. And on and on it goes. In my book, that makes them addictively delicious!

But since my computer spell-check hasn't been known to steer me wrong, I decided to look into it - just to see who was right.

I googled "dictionaries" and it only took seconds to find a trusted resource; the Webster/Merriam Online Dictionary.

I thought there might be in some type of conspiracy because Mr. Webster says almost the same thing as my spell-checker - "The word you've entered isn't in the dictionary. Click on a spelling suggestion below or try again using the search bar above."

Hmmmm. Maybe I was in error. But then, as I scanned down the web page another site caught my eye - Wictionary. Have you heard of it? It's a funny name for a dictionary, don't you think. It's actually a free dictionary that uses "wiki" software, which allows people to add, modify, or delete content in collaboration with others. So, in other words, in addition to all of the proper words found in classic dictionaries like Webster or Oxford, Wictionary has the additional benefit of words that are now generally accepted.

I was happy to read that Wictionary does define "addictively" as a word: "addictively (comparative more addictively, superlative most addictively)"

1. In an addictive manner.

So, I guess we're both right - me and my spell-checker! But you know what? It doesn't matter whether you call these fabulous sweet, spicy nuts addictive (more proper) or addictively delicious, you will find them hard to resist, whether you serve them as a snack, on salads, with your breakfast yogurt or as a pre-dinner cocktail nibble.

Know what makes them even more dangerous? It's that they're super simple to throw together, going from simple raw ingredients (pecans, olive oil, maple syrup, chili powder and sea salt), to mahogany-hued, beautifully glazed pecans in less than 20 minutes!

Yes, they're dangerously, addictively delicious but, once you take your first nibble, I'm sure you will love having these Sweet and Spicy Pecans in your  "best-recipes"arsenal!

P.S. Hey, I just got to thinking; maybe I would have avoided all of these word problems if I had just called them irresistibly delicious, or deliciously addictive. No spell-check problems there. So late I get so smart! ...... Oh well, it made for a fun post.

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Sweet and Spicy Maple Pecans

The most deliciously addicting snack, salad topper, cocktail nibble ever! You will find yourself going back for more!

Author: Chris Scheuer

Course: Cocktail Nibble, Salad Topper, Snacks

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 2 cups pecan halves*
• 1 teaspoon[url:1] pumpkin pie spice*
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. Add pecans to prepared pan. Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice, chili powder and sea salt. Drizzle with olive oil and maple syrup. Stir well to combine and coat nuts.
3. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to redistribute nuts. Return to oven for a few more minutes, if needed to achieve deep golden brown color. Stir one more time to spread nuts evenly and allow to cool on pan. Store in an airtight container.

Recipe Notes

*If I'm using these pecans for a salad, sometimes I'll roughly chop or break them to make them a little smaller.
**If you don't know about pumpkin pie spice or don't have any, no worries! Check out this Make Your Own Pumpkin Pie Spice post.