Christmas Memories # 4

By the way, did you bake any cookies yet?   Something else my mom did one year (when funds were low) was bake cookies and candies for everyone.  She put them in colorful tins with a bow on top.  A nice gift all done and with very little invested.  You can take a shoebox or small box,  wrap with aluminum foil  first, especially on the inside, then wrap with your favorite Christmas paper.  You can purchase at Michael's or other craft stores small plastic bags with ties.  These make attractive presentations.  Refer to Christmas Memories # 3 for cookie recipe.                                                                             
 
Do you have a pecan tree or access to one?  If so, you can roast the pecans and give them for gifts.  They are delicious!  Any type of baked item is usually very much appreciated.  Some people never get home cooked items unless they receive them in gifts.   Raw pecans in the shell or shelled make great gifts.  This is only if you have pecan trees.  Sometimes people will give away pecans if they have an abundance.  They are just too expensive to buy for gifts.   And of course, serve them at your next party or get together.

I am listing a couple of recipes for roasted pecans.  Hope you enjoy!

Roasted Pecans

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pecan halves
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut in small pieces
• salt, to taste

Preparation:

Spread the pecans on a baking pan and place pan on center rack of oven. Roast at 250°, stirring occasionally, until they begin to brown and become aromatic, about 60 minutes. Stir in butter until pecans are coated and all butter is melted. Return to the oven and rtoast for about 10 minutes longer.
Salt to taste while pecans are still hot. Serve warm or cooled. Store roasted pecans in a tightly sealed container. 

Sugar Coated Pecans

Ingredients

• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 1/4 cups pecan halves
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 225 degrees F (105 degrees C). Lightly grease a rimmed baking pan.
2. Combine the egg white and water in a mixing bowl; beat until fluffy. Fold in the pecans to coat evenly. Combine the sugar, salt, and ground cinnamon in a shaker or cup with a lid. Dust the pecans evenly with the sugar mixture. Spread the nuts over the prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven until toasted and fragrant, stirring every 15 minutes, about 1 hour. Cool on pan, and store in an airtight container.