Happy Holidays!!
Last week I participated in the Dovetales Holiday Boutique Show. The Event was fabulous!! Held at the new Plymouth Art Center, dozens of talented artisans came out to share thier creations with the public. I featured a Moroccan Spice Blend that has been evolving in my kitchen for years now.
Thanks to everyone who bought one! They make great stocking stuffers for the Gourmet in your family.
The blend is made up of ten exotic spices: Ginger, Cumin, black pepper, cinnimon, coriander, nutmeg, cayenne, paprika, garlic, clove
The uses for Moroccan Spice Blend are endless... from couscous to tagine... from dry rubbing meat to roasting pecans!
Hemming and hawing over the whole gift exchange?? If you are anything like me and everyone I know, this is NOT the year to being going all out on extravagant gifts. Financially we are all counting our pennies and enviromentally do we really need so much stuff??? I am pretty sure the Salvation Army can only handle so much of our unwanted things....
So, how does the smart, savvy, slightly frugal gift giver manage?? Homemade gifts! That's right, like our granmother's used to do...only better! I've been doing this for quite some time now, and take it from me...it's fun, affordable and every one loves it!
Here is my Moroccan Spiced Pecan Recipe to get you going.. plus you will need a really cute apron and classic holiday tunes to set the scene!
Moroccan Spiced Pecans
Makes 1 pound
Ingredients:
1 pound pecan halves
1 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoon butter - melted
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 ½ tablespoons Powell & Company Moroccan Spice Blend
1 teaspoon sea salt
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
In a mixing bowl gently toss pecans with olive oil. Spread pecans out evenly on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, giving them a toss at 2 ½ minutes.
While the nuts are roasting, combine brown sugar, Moroccan spice mix and salt in a large bowl, set aside. Place melted butter in a medium bowl. Add hot pecans to the melted butter and gently mix.
Makes 1 pound
Ingredients:
1 pound pecan halves
1 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoon butter - melted
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 ½ tablespoons Powell & Company Moroccan Spice Blend
1 teaspoon sea salt
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
In a mixing bowl gently toss pecans with olive oil. Spread pecans out evenly on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, giving them a toss at 2 ½ minutes.
While the nuts are roasting, combine brown sugar, Moroccan spice mix and salt in a large bowl, set aside. Place melted butter in a medium bowl. Add hot pecans to the melted butter and gently mix.
Move buttered nuts to the spice mix and toss; be sure to evenly coat the nuts 
Transfer coated nuts back to the baking sheet, spread evenly and roast for an addition 7-8 minutes, tossing once halfway through baking time.
Let pecans cool on the baking sheet completely before storing in an airtight container.
Moroccan Spiced Pecans are great for snacking, topping salads and cocktail hour!
Let pecans cool on the baking sheet completely before storing in an airtight container.
Moroccan Spiced Pecans are great for snacking, topping salads and cocktail hour!
Check out my article in Dovetales Magazine for 6 great recipes and other great ways to create your own personalized gifts.
