Candy Pecans for Harvest Chicken Salad Demo?

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores various methods for candying pecans specifically for a Harvest Chicken Salad demo. Participants share their experiences and recipes, discussing the use of different ingredients and cooking techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, inquires about using Sweet Caramel Sprinkle to candy pecans and asks for suggestions on methods, including the microwave and stoneware.
  • Another participant shares a recipe for Peppered Glazed Pecans, suggesting the use of Sweet Caramel Sprinkle in place of brown sugar.
  • One participant mentions successfully candying cashews with Sweet Caramel Sprinkle in an 8" sauté pan, recommending doing it ahead of time for a demo.
  • Another participant expresses enjoyment of the Sweet Caramel Cashews, recalling their taste.
  • One participant notes uncertainty about obtaining corn syrup before the demo and considers improvising.
  • Another participant shares a personal recipe for candied pecans that does not require corn syrup, detailing the process and ingredients used.
  • One participant advises against using maple syrup, citing a negative experience with it.
  • Another participant suggests that toasting pecans or using them raw could be simpler alternatives to candying.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the necessity of corn syrup and the best methods for preparing candied pecans, with no clear consensus emerging on a single approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and recipes, reflecting a variety of approaches to preparing pecans for a specific dish.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for ideas on how to prepare pecans for demos or those interested in alternative methods for candying nuts.

lanelly7
Messages
14
I'm planning on doing the Harvest Chicken Salad tomorrow for a demo and was wondering if anyone had an easy way to candy the pecans using the Sweet Caramel Sprinkle? Can I do it in the microwave? On stoneware? In the Executive Saute Pan? Can I just use the sprinkles or would I need other ingredients? Thanks so much!
 
Try these and let us know. I haven't done it but thought about it:Peppered Glazed Pecans
----------------------
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar (Use the sprinkles in place of the sugar.)
2 teaspoons butter
2 teaspoons light corn syrup
1/4-1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper (Maybe take the pepper out?)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup pecan halvesDirections:
1. Combine brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, black pepper and salt in (8-in.) Sauté Pan. Stir over medium heat until butter is melted. Add pecans and cook, stirring constantly using Bamboo Spatula, 5-7 minutes or until pecans are fragrant and well coated with glaze, separating any that are sticking together. Spread pecans in a single layer on Parchment Paper. Cool completely.Yield: 16 servings
 
Take a look at the recipe for Chicken, Avocado and Grapefruit Salad. This is a way to candy cashews using the Sweet Caramel Sprinkle. I have done it for a show in the 8" saute pan. Because of the cooling time on the parchment, I did it ahead and saved some for people to taste while I "acted out" how I did it. They were delicious and so was the salad. Good luck!Sweet Caramel Cashews
2 tbsp Sweet Caramel Sprinkle
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp light corn syrup
⅛ tsp salt
1 cup cashews
Additional Sweet Caramel Sprinkle
Combine 2 tbsp caramel sprinkle, butter, corn syrup and salt in (8-in.) Sauté Pan. Stir over medium heat until
butter is melted. Add cashews and cook, stirring constantly, 5-7 minutes or until cashews are evenly browned and
syrup turns a caramel color. Spread cashews in a single layer on Parchment Paper; sprinkle with additional caramel
sprinkle. Cool completely.
Yield: 4 servings
Nutrients per serving: Calories 270, Total Fat 20 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Carbohydrate 20 g,
Protein 5 g, Sodium 115 mg, Fiber 1 g
©The
 
Those Sweet Caramel Cashews are really good, too. I forgot about those!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Thanks everyone. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get my hands on corn syrup before the party, but maybe I can improvise...
 
You don't need corn syrup for candied pecans.Here is my recipe I use every single year with rave reviews. I just made them today actually on my rectangular stoneware pan. Candied Pecans
1 lb. pecan halves
1/2c sugar
1t cinnamon
1/2t salt
1 egg white
1T waterPreheat oven 225.
Combine sugar, cinnamon and salt in a bag. Beat the egg white and water until foamy. Toss pecans in the egg white. Once coated, add pecans to the bag and shake.
Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.If you forget to stir, no biggie! I almost always forget once or twice.
 
Whatever you do, do NOT use maple syrup! My host got that for me and it was a disaster!
 
The easiest way to do them is not to candy them. That is what I would do. Toasted would be as nice and much easier. Or just plain raw and a quick chop with the food chopper would be good too. No one would care or chances are be even aware if you did not point it out. Keep your show simple....
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Candy Pecans and how are they used in Harvest Chicken Salad?

Candy Pecans are pecans that have been coated in a sweet glaze, often made with sugar, butter, and spices. In Harvest Chicken Salad, they add a delightful crunch and a sweet flavor that complements the savory ingredients like chicken, apples, and celery.

Can I make Candy Pecans ahead of time for my demo?

Yes, you can prepare Candy Pecans ahead of time. They can be made a few days in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. This allows you to save time during your demo and focus on other aspects of the salad preparation.

What ingredients are needed to make Candy Pecans?

The basic ingredients for Candy Pecans include pecan halves, granulated sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Some recipes may also incorporate spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for added flavor.

How can I adjust the sweetness of the Candy Pecans?

You can adjust the sweetness of Candy Pecans by varying the amount of sugar used in the recipe. For a less sweet version, reduce the sugar or substitute it with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. Keep in mind that this may alter the texture slightly.

Are there any alternatives to Candy Pecans for those with nut allergies?

Yes, if you have guests with nut allergies, you can substitute Candy Pecans with candied sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. These alternatives provide a similar crunch and can be sweetened in a similar manner to mimic the flavor profile of Candy Pecans.

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