Salted Caramel Nut Bars

 

A couple of weeks ago, I provided you with a delicious recipe for Artichoke Portobello Soup that came from the wonderful Kneader’s Bakery and Cafe Cookbook. Here’s another one that is simple to make, perfect for the holidays, and fabulously delicious! It’s the last recipe from this cookbook that you’ll get from me, you’re just going to have to buy it yourself, and let me say it is well worth it.

I realize that there are nut people and non-nut people. Clearly these nut bars are for nut people, however, feel free to just use one type of nut, rather than mixed, if there’s one in particular that you prefer. I’ve adapted this recipe to make it even easier than it already is. They suggested mixing the dry ingredients together using a pastry blender to cut in the butter, but who has the time? I threw everything into a food processor, pulsed about seven times, and it came out perfectly.Salted Caramel Nut Bars

Adapted from the Kneader’s Bakery and Cafe Cookbook

1½ c. all-purpose flour
¾ c. packed brown sugar
¼ t. salt
½ c. +2 T. unsalted butter, softened, divided
2 c. salted mixed nuts without peanuts
1 c. butterscotch chips
½ c. light corn syrup

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Place flour, brown sugar, and salt into the work bowl of a food processor. Pulse to combine. Add ½ cup butter that has been cut into cubes. Pulse eight times to thoroughly blend. Turn out into a 9”x 13” baking pan with straight sides. Press evenly into the bottom of the pan. (I used a tart tamper for this.) Sprinkle nuts evenly over the crust.

In a 1-quart saucepan over low heat, mix the butterscotch chips, corn syrup, and remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, stirring occasionally, until the chips are melted. Drizzle butterscotch mixture evenly over the nuts, being careful to cover the edges of the crust. Bake for five minutes. Cut into 12 pieces while still warm.

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Nutty Chicken Salad

Back in the day my mother used to play bridge a couple of times a week. I don’t play bridge, but I can totally get on board with playing cards with women a couple of times a week. Different women rotated hosting the gatherings every week. There was always a signature cocktail, delicious food, dessert (naturally), and lots of conviviality. Sometimes there were prizes. What’s not to like about that? Does anyone play bridge anymore? If not, why not? Invite me! I don’t play bridge, as I mentioned, but if there is ever a Crazy Eights party, count me in!  My mother always tried to be unique and innovative with her meals. She used to tell me that she was so sick of chicken salad because that’s all anybody ever seemed to make — hot chicken salad, cold chicken salad, chicken salad on lettuce leaves, chicken salad in a pineapple boat, you name it, she ate it. As a consequence, she grew to have quite a disdain for chicken salad. Me? I love it!

I was experimenting last week and as I was making the chicken salad my eyes rested upon a large canister of mixed nuts that I had recently purchased. I wondered how the combination of cashews, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, and pistachios would be in chicken salad. Let me tell you, it was magnificent! I loved the variety of tastes and the crunchiness, paired with the creaminess of the chicken. Winner!

Nutty Chicken Salad

2 c. cooked, cubed chicken
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 T. finely chopped Melissa’s shallot
½ c. salted mixed nuts, rough chopped
½ c. Duke’s mayonnaise
1/8 t. garlic powder
1/8 t. smoked paprika
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Place all ingredients into a medium mixing bowl. Fold together until combined. Chill 2-4 hours (preferably overnight) before serving.

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