SWEET AND SPICY PECANS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350. Set a rack in the middle level
• 2. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add pecans and saute, stirring til lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Stir in brown sugar and cook, stirring, til lightly caramelized. Stir in cumin, chile powder and paprika. add vinegar and cook, stirring til all liquid has evaporated. Season to taste with salt
• 3. Spread pecans in single layer on baking sheet and bake til crisp, 3 to 5 minutes. Let cool, then store in airtight container at room t4empeature til ready to serve. Makes 3 cups. From Ne4w Tastes from Texas by Stephan Pykes
• 4. These nuts are Texas sweet. If you don't have a big sweet tooth, use a level 1/3 cup brown sugar. They'll still have a sweet tart edge. to make chile powder,use either a mixture or a single type of dried chiles, such as anchos, chipotles, and guajiilos. Preheat oven to 300. Slit the chiles open and remove seeds. Put split chiles in single layer on baking sheet and roast til thoroughly dry and stiff, 3 to 5 minutes. Crumble the chiles into a bowl. Put pieces in spice grinder and grind them to a powder. Store in airtight container in cool dry place for up to 1 month or in freezer for up to 3 months.