Honey Walnuts

  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

2-1/2cup California walnut halves or large pieces
3/4cup sugar
1/3cup honey
-- Canola oil for deep frying

Instructions

  1. To make the honey walnuts, put the walnuts in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil, and drain.  Cover again with water, bring to a boil, and drain.  Add the sugar and honey to the saucepan with the drained walnuts, stir to combine, then add just enough water to cover the walnuts (about 1 cup).  Bring to a boil again, and reduce heat to simmer until the liquid has reduced to a syrup-like consistency; it will also become darker, but don’t let it burn.   This can take approximately 30 minutes.  Drain the walnuts well, then spread on a plate.  As they begin to cool, separate the walnuts so they do not stick together.
  2. In a heavy pan or deep fryer, heat about 2 inches of canola oil to 375ºF.  Carefully immerse the walnuts into the oil, and fry for 1 1/2 minutes or until the nuts turn a light toasted color.  Do this in three or four batches, if necessary, so the nuts are not crowded in the oil.  As the nuts are done, spread them on a plate to cool (not on cloth or paper towels, as they might stick).