Sherried Walnuts Recipes

SHERRIED WALNUTS AND CASHEWS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 250°F. Line 15x10x1-inch baking pan with foil. In large skillet, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, sherry, corn syrup and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stir in walnuts and cashews; cook and stir 4 to 7 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Spread nuts in foil-lined pan.
• Bake at 250°F. for 15 to 20 minutes or until glazed. Cool completely on foil. Store tightly covered.

SHERRIED ORANGE WALNUTS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
• Place the brown sugar, white sugar, salt, sherry, orange zest, and orange extract into a heavy saucepan, and stir until well combined. Bring to a boil over medium-low heat, stirring constantly; boil for 1 minute. Stir in the butter. Remove from heat, and stir in the walnut halves to coat with syrup.
• Spread the candied walnut halves out onto the prepared baking sheet, and allow to cool thoroughly, at least 1 hour. Break into bite-size chunks to serve.

SHERRIED WALNUTS

Steps:

• Line 2 cookie sheets with waxed paper. Combine first 5 ingredients in heavy large saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Cook without stirring until clip-on candy thermometer registers 240°F., about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add nuts and stir until syrup begins to look cloudy, about 2 minutes. Divide mixture between cookie sheets. Working quickly, separate nuts with fork. Cool. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)

AGED SHERRY-WALNUT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Toss the minced shallots with the salt in a bowl and let the shallots "weep" for a few minutes. This helps them flavor the vinaigrette more quickly. Whisk in the mustard and sherry vinegar. Slowly drizzle in the walnut oil and the olive oil. It's not important to keep this vinaigrette emulsified. If the oil and vinegar separate, just stir vigorously to recombine them before using. Season with the pepper and more salt if needed. This vinaigrette will keep several weeks in the fridge.
• *Once oil has been opened, store it in the fridge to slow down the oxidation that leads to rancidity - especially a problem for nut oils.