Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Brown Sugar, Fig and Rosemary Walnuts


WARNING:  Highly addictive recipe ahead!

This is one of the tastiest, roasted nut recipes I've ever had. They are certain to bring on the holiday cheer. My daughter made these Brown Sugar, Fig and Rosemary Walnuts to share as part of our pre-dinner nibbles on Thanksgiving Day.  They would be a hit at any holiday dinner party and would make a wonderful hostess gift too.
 

They have the most wonderful flavors melded together in one crunchy, sweet and savory bite.  Both my husband and I had control issues when it came to eating these! Thank goodness, walnuts are good for you :)


Brown Sugar, Fig and Rosemary Walnuts

Recipe adapted from 101 Cookbooks and Heidi Swanson
Printable Recipe

My Notes:  The following is the original recipe from Heidi Swanson.  My suggestions are to cut the brown sugar mixture by about a third and double or triple the finely chopped rosemary.  The nuts required about 2-3 minutes longer in the oven than the recipe states. 

1 cup / 5 oz / 140 g brown sugar or natural cane sugar
2 teaspoons fine grain sea salt
1 teaspoon chopped rosemary leaves
1/4 cup / 1 oz / 30g sesame seeds

2 large egg whites

1 lb / ~4 cups shelled walnut halves
1/3 cup / 1 1/2 oz / 45 g finely chopped dried figs, stems removed.

Preheat oven with racks in the center to 300F / 150C.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, salt, rosemary, and sesame seeds - reserve.

In a large bowl whisk the egg whites just until loosened. Add the whole walnuts and finely chopped figs to the whites and toss for a minute or two until they are all evenly coated. Next, sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the nuts and toss for another minute or two again.

Divide the nuts between the two prepared baking sheets and spread into a single layer, separating them as best as you can.

Bake for about 25 minutes or until the walnuts are toasted golden and the coating is no longer wet. Cool for a few minutes, then slide the parchment/nuts off the hot baking sheets onto a cool surface to cool completely. These will keep for a week or so in an airtight container or zipper bag.

Makes 1 pound of nuts.

Enjoy!

65 comments:

  1. I have never found one of these nut recipes that I don't like. This looks really good.

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  2. I can see why these would be quite addictive!!!

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  3. I'm looking for a few up-dated recipes for my annual Jingle Mingle and this may do the trick. I'm wondering if I could use brown rice syrup or agave to replace the brown sugar? these look delicious! happy week to you Susan.

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    1. I wish I could tell you, Becky! I don't see see why not but I don't know if they would get as crunchy. They are delicious :)

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  4. I KNOW I would have no control around a bowlful of these babies! Wow do they look good. I can't wait to give the recipe a try :)

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  5. These sound delicious! I will try them for Christmas Eve. xo

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  6. I've never bought DRIED figs with stems...will have to see if my groc store has them...can't wait to try this.
    xo bj

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    1. BJ, there's always a little nubbin of a stem on the dried ones too. Our stores sell them where you'd find raisins, etc.

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  7. Sounds like a great snack, love the nice big pieces of walnut:@)

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  8. Oh my-that recipe does sound addictive! I may have to whip up a batch for upcoming holiday parties. I'm printing the recipe now!

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  9. Gosh, these sound decadent and healthy at the same time!

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  10. Well if you say this is the best ever, I've got to give it a try. Sounds fabulous. I've got a half container of dates in the fridge, I'm sure they'd work too? What do you think?

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    1. I know dates are a slightly softer than figs but I think it's worth a try, Lee Ann!

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  11. Oh my they sound and look delicious! Wlanuts and figs are such healthy food so they would be a guilt free treat!

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  12. There will surely be control issues when I make this. And once the dust settles, I will sit in my favorite chair and enjoy every single one of these lovely walnuts, anarchist that I am.

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  13. All I can say is that my sweet and spicy nuts have found a decadent challenger here!! I am thinking to put these on a cheese tray very soon. After the first of the year, we can look for a chapter "nutaholics anonymous"!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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    1. I hope you are up to the challenge, Bonnie :) These are the best I've tried!

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  14. Oh My!!! They look and sound wonderful. I have a feeling they are one of those things I would eat one and just keep on munching!!
    Thanks for stopping by and nice comment. My big tree is a skinny model also, but just did not want the work involved this year.
    Enjoy your evening.

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  15. These nuts look so good it's hard to look at them right before dinner,lol!
    Now if I could just figure out a way to reach in for a handful;-)

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  16. I can see being addicted to those. They look fantastic!

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  17. I'm familiar with the pecan version with the exception of rosemary and sesame seeds. They sound heavenly!

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  18. This is a beautiful addition to any holiday "nibble" table. In fact, it is a really good holiday entertaining dish all-around.

    Hope you are enjoying the holiday season.

    Velva

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  19. These look delicious! I know I would eat way too many.

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  20. I wish I had bought figs today!
    I am about to go to bed..and feel like making these instead:-)
    They sound wonderful..different and look great.Thank you..x

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  21. Just rereading:-) I have dates too..just made date squares..what do you think?Oy I need the rosemary too..I just put lights on my kitchen rosemary:-)

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    1. Dates are slightly softer than figs, but should work! I love date squares :)

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  22. I can see why these are so addictive- those flavors sound marvelous together! I love to give nuts as gifts- I know these would be appreciated if I were able to part with them. :)

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  23. this does look addictive want to take me a handful now :-)

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  24. Let's just admit it right now - nuts are one of my holiday addictions. Santa used to leave bowls of nuts in the shells and we loved cracking and eating them. I always had them around for my kids. These look sinfully addictive - not even a shell to have to crack. I can eat something like this all through the day - breakfast lunch and dinner (and bedtime snack!)

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    1. My mother always had nuts during the holidays too :) They are part of the season for me :)

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  25. This recipe looks to combine many of the flavours I love - I'd be afraid that one handful would never suffice!

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  26. Hi, this look really addictive and delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Pictures look excellent.

    Have a great week ahead.

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  27. Susan, these candied walnuts look indeed highly addictive! They look FANTASTIC!

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  28. Definitely addictive! These look awesome! I love glazed nuts and the use of figs just takes these over the top in yumminess!

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  29. These are happening on my Christmas table. no doubt about it!

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  30. Fascinating combination! I probably would not have tried this recipe if you hadn't raved about it, although my family does like figs. Now it's a must....what a fabulous, tempting photo!

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  31. How interesting! I generally make seasoned pecans and sugared pecans, but have never done a thing with walnuts. These really do sound delicious.

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  32. They sound delicious, Susan! I would leave out the rosemary, we are not fans of that flavor, but I bet they would still be wonderful!

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  33. Susan, These look fabulous and I can see that they'd be addictive. Yum! Great idea for a hostess gift..Thanks.

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  34. Oh great! This reminds me a bit of dukkah, that Egyptian nut and sesame seeds and spices mix, except more delicious with the brown sugar.

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  35. I know that if I start eating these I won't be able to stop until the bowl is empty!

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  36. I'm having a cocktail party soon and planned on putting out nuts. These will be out on the table for sure.

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  37. Susan, you may have twisted my arm. I had planned on using another recipe to make some nuts for gifts, but I might try this one instead. We have been using some sweet and spicy pecans from Trader Joe's on our salads, and Joe can't control himself ;o)

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  38. Oh my, these sound delicious...anything with rosemary catches my eye. What a nice presentation, too.

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  39. This is so original; I love it! I have to find dome figs.
    Rita

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  40. they look awfully tempting, I'm on a diet, help!Have a nice day, a warm hug...

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  41. These look good, very good! Perfect for the coming festive season! Bookmarked! Thanks for sharing!

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  42. These nuts are beautiful! I think a nuggets of these in a bag would make for great stocking stuffers.

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  43. Susan~ Forget about these nuts lasting a week, they would never make it to our holiday table! What a delicious combination of flavors! I definitely have to try this recipe!

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  44. There is no way I can pass up trying this unusual recipe. We love roasted and glazed nuts and this is certainly a new twist on tradition. Happy holiday best wishes to you and your family, Susan.

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  45. This is a must try! They sound pretty sinful to me and I can't wait to try making the recipe!

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  46. I never had with fig...and from your description...I must give a try...I think I can handle the addiction :)
    Have a great week Susan!

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  47. I've definitely got to give these a shot! I made some 5 spice almonds before Thanksgiving and was not a big fan of them :( These sound way better!

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  48. Oh my goodness!!! I think I could eat nearly an entire batch of these beauties all by myself!!! With restraint though, I could make them as presents. Irresistible!

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  49. This sounds delicious definitely going to try them.

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  50. Wow these sound so good. I love the addition of figs. I'd probably have to sub something else for the rosemary since my husbands not a fan but then again, if I'm serving them to a large group it wouldn't matter. I can't wait to try these.

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  51. I could eat my weight in these.

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  52. I know that I wouldn't be able to stop eating these...I am going to make them and see how many are left for the guests!

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  53. This is so different, I've gotta try it.

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