G.V.C. Pecans.

Happy Friday y'all!

Mom and I are off this morning for a mini road trip. This should be fun. Let's talk childhood stuff. Okay... :). I grew up in South Houston in the neighborhood that my parents were also born and raised in, and I attended school where they attended school. It was all gravy. 

Now, our neighborhood wasn't the most lavish neighborhood...but that is what I loved about it. I loved the billowing pecan trees lining the streets in the heat of the summer, shading me from getting a sun burn as I ran barefoot down the street to play at a friends house. Those pecan trees were my life. I would wake up on Saturday morning, walk out my front door, and pick the pecans off the ground with the pecan picker. I always thought that thing looked like a pogo stick. Kid brain, for sure. Then, I would sit at the kitchen table with my parents and crack those pecans until my knuckles were sore. 

Have you ever tasted a fresh pecan? It's like biting into an itty bitty, nutty crunch of heaven. I still long for those days to be able to pick those pecans directly from my front yard. Luckily, I still have family members that live in my old neighborhood and bring me fresh pecans occasionally. The other day I had lunch with my cousin Megs and she surprised me with a bag of freshly cracked pecans. I was stoked. With the first bite of the pecan, all of my childhood memories came rushing back to me. Pure bliss.

I mean, seriously?

For all you super bowl fans...listen up! We are working on prime time snackage. 

I'm talking maple syrup, spices, and sea salt. 

Sweet, spicy, salty, super-bowl-y. 

Remember...these are magic Garden Villas pecans. 

They have special powers. 

Oh, and they are damn delicious! 

Spiced Maple and Sea Salt Pecans (GF/V/P):

Ingredients:

4 c. fresh, raw pecans

1/2 c. pure maple syrup

1/2 t. ground cinnamon

2 t. coarse sea salt

1/8 t. cayenne pepper

freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Place all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and toss until the pecans are coated evenly. 

3. Spread the pecans out onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until browned, stirring occasionally. 

4. Let the pecans cool completely on the baking sheet before removing.

Makes 4 cups.

MANGIA!!!