As I have gotten to know MAV over the past few years , I have discovered that she and my daughter Mia are somewhat kindred spirits. They both consistently make me smile, and they both can’t eat just one cookie.
I am constantly looking for ways to indulge Mia’s sweet tooth in a nourishing and healthy way and can’t wait to try MAV’s cookies when I have a full kitchen again. In the meantime, I wanted to share a simple snack that has become a mainstay around our house: maple-glazed walnuts. Walnuts are packed full of protein, fiber and the omega 3 fatty acids that are so essential to developing brains. Caramelized in maple syrup and sprinkled with salt, they make for a perfect sweet/salty snack. I love them with fruit and cheese, on salads and on top of yogurt; my kids just eat them straight out of the jar
It takes me less than 5 minutes to throw these together as I almost always have the ingredients on hand. I buy my walnuts in bulk and store them in the freezer. Grade B maple syrup is usually slightly less expensive than Grade A, and I find that I prefer the more robust flavor, especially for cooking. I use Kosher coarse salt to season them, but any flake salt would do.
Mia’s Maple-Glazed Walnuts
2 cups raw walnuts
1/3 cup maple syrup
Kosher or other flake salt
Place a dry skillet (I use my 10 inch cast iron) over medium heat. Add the walnuts and maple syrup, stirring to thoroughly coat. Continue stirring until the syrup begins to caramelize and the walnuts become glossy, approximately 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and spread them out on a piece of parchment or wax paper. Immediately sprinkle with salt while they are still sticky. Store in an air-tight jar.
Happy snacking!