Dinner Tonight: Candied Almonds

7/3/2012

Candied nuts are great for any party. Simply set them out in little dishes here and there, and watch them disappear. Your guests can't stop eating them -- almost without thinking about it -- and then, when the party is over, they can't figure out why they had such a great time. But you'll know the secret: It's the candied nuts.

2 cups whole almonds

1/4 cup honey

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup turbinado sugar (Sugar in the Raw)

Spread almonds in a cookie sheet. Place in cold oven; turn oven to 350° and roast 12-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until well roasted. Keep a close watch: Nuts burn easily. Remove nuts from pan and place a piece of parchment paper on the cookie sheet.

Over medium heat in a medium saucepan, heat honey and butter to boiling. Reduce heat to medium low, simmer two minutes, stirring occasionally. Add almonds; simmer and stir for 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the almonds to the lined cookie sheet. Spread the almonds in a single layer and cool slightly.

Place the warm almonds and the sugar in a medium plastic storage bag. Shake almonds in bag until all are coated.

-- Su Johnson

Have a recipe that is fast and healthy? Send it to food@theblade.com or Dinner Tonight, The Blade, 541 N. Superior St., Toledo, OH 43660.