Appetizers

Apple and Brie Crostini

The Brie at Costco is always wonderful this recipe from their Magazine was a winner. What’s not to like with almond butter, brie, apple, honey, spiced pecans–wow! I used the spiced pecans that I make every Christmas. This would be a wonderful appetizer for Valentine’s Day or a gathering of friends and family.

Apple and Brie Crostini

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 baguette, thinly sliced on the bias (Fork-Lore: I used Croccantini Original Sea Salt Artisan Crackers)
  • ½ cup Kirkland Signature Almond Butter
  • 3 oz. brie cheese
  • 1 large Honeycrisp apple
  • Fresh cracked pepper
  • ½ cup candied pecans, chopped (for garnish)
  • ¼ cup honey
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Heat oven to 375 F. Arrange baguette slices on a rimmed 9 x 13-inch baking sheet. Thinly spread almond butter on one side of each baguette slice, about 2 tsp.
  2. Slice the brie and the Honeycrisp apple thinly so one flavor doesn’t overpower the other, about ¼-inch-thick slices. Place brie on top of almond butter spread. Set apple aside.
  3. Bake 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
  4. Top crostini with apple and pepper. Sprinkle pecans on top for garnish and drizzle with honey. Serve immediately. Makes 4 to 6 servings, about 12 crostini.

Recipe from Costco Magazine

Family Favorites · Gluten Free · New Traditions · Vegan · Vegetarian

Spiced Pecans…favorite of the Holidays

Spiced Pecans are a family and gift tradition started a few years ago. I do not remember where the recipe came from, but it is an all-time favorite. It makes a great gift for friends and family and a nice change from the traditional sweets of the holidays. Spiced Pecans can be made early in December and given throughout the holidays. I typically triple the recipe and make several batches.  Enjoy!

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SPICED PECANS

2 cups pecans

SPICE MIX:
2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

GLAZE:
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon canola oil

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toast pecans on a baking sheet for 6 minutes.
  • Stir together the spice mix in a small bowl.
  • In a saucepan, combine the glaze ingredients. Bring glaze to boil over medium heat, whisking constantly. Stir in toasted nuts and continue to stir until all the nuts are shiny and the liquid is gone (1-2 minutes).
  • Place glazed nuts in a bowl, sprinkle on the spice mix, and toss well to coat. Spread the coated nuts on a cookie sheet and return them to the oven for another 4 minutes.
  • Remove and cool.

Yield: 2 cups