VANILLA CANDIED WALNUTS

1 pound pkg shelled walnut halves
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons dark rum
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup Karo light corn syrup
1 vanilla bean
2 tablespoons walnut oil

Wash walnuts under cold running water. In a medium bowl, soak walnuts in enough water to cover; stir in 1 tablespoon salt. Allow to stand for 15 minutes. Drain.

Bring enough water to cover walnuts to a boil; drop in walnuts and reduce heat. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until walnuts appear pale in color. Drain.

Slice a vanilla bean lengthwise, halfway through until you reach the center. Scrape out the center seeds using a sharp knife. Combine 1 cup sugar, 4 tablespoons dark rum, 3/4 cup water, 1/2 cup Karo syrup and the vanilla bean and scrapings in a medium saucepan, stirring well to dissolve sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and add walnuts. Simmer on low heat for a half hour. Remove from heat and allow to stand for 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

After 15 minutes, drain syrup from walnuts (save the vanilla bean for another use.

In a bowl, combine nuts and walnut oil (if this is not available, use light olive oil or peanut oil).

Line a baking sheet with oiled parchment paper or wax paper or a silicone baking sheet. Spread walnuts evenly and bake in preheated oven until walnuts are dry and crisp and the sugar has caramelized. Open the oven door and allow walnuts to cool in oven or remove to a wire rack.

Variations and Substitutions: If you are worried about the alcohol, rum may be omitted - use 1 cup water instead of 3/4 cup water. However, keep in mind that most of the alcohol vaporizes during the cooking, leaving behind only the flavor.

To make a maple flavored version of this treat, use maple syrup instead of Karo syrup; or, if available, use maple sugar instead of white sugar. These darker sugars tend to brown more quickly, so baking/cooking times should be slightly reduced.

Any vegetable based oil may be used if walnut oil is not available. Cinnamon sugar may be sprinkled over the walnuts halfway through the baking period, if desired.

May be stored in a jar in the refrigerator for several weeks.

Submitted by: CM

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(From Santa’s Workshop (Helen))