candied pecans

i never liked nuts of any kind growing up...my whole family is this way, and i never even considered eating them. i actually think i used to tell people i was allergic to nuts when i was young, just to make sure i never had to eat them. well, i have changed. i still would NEVER have nuts in any brownie, cake, or dessert...but, i obsess over them plain, in salads, trail mix, etc. people can change!!! i am still a little picky about which nuts i like though, and the top two would have to be almonds and pecans. the pecan obsession is recent. maybe because i am married to a southern boy who lived in alabama and loves pecans, but it has rubbed off on me now too. i could eat a costco bag of pecans for my dinner! the best part is, now i have started to candy them at home, and then they are really irresistible. {i first candied them for this shower i threw, and have been making them ever since!} they are so good in salads, over oatmeal/ yogurt/ ice cream, or my favorite, just by themselves. :) 

candied pecans

ingredients:
3 cups pecans
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons butter
2-3 tsp vanilla
¼ tsp cinnamon {optional}

directions: over medium heat, melt butter & sugar together in a large pan. watch carefully and stir.. as soon as the sugar starts to melt, add the pecans in. continue to stir for about 30 seconds... pour in the vanilla a teaspoon at a time, stirring between each. sprinkle in cinnamon. lower heat and continue to stir for 2 more minutes. take pan off of heat and let pecans cool, stirring them a little bit so they don't stick.

enjoy!