Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas Pecans


For years now, it's been a Christmas tradition to make these yummy pecans.  I've modified the recipe over the years to this version.  I always make them in 4 lb batches - but you can modify the recipe if you don't want to make that many.  They make great gifts.  No matter how many you make, you'll wish you had made more.  This year I made 20 lbs!

Ingredients:
  • 4 lbs Pecan halves
  • 4 cups sugar
  • 4 egg whites
  • 4 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon
Preheat your oven to 250 degrees.


It is important to start with quality pecan halves


I always use a natural sugar.  The less processed the better.  The larger grains of sugar do not work as well as the finer ones.


I use a large bowl to prepare the pecans for roasting


I use large aluminum disposable pans - makes cleanup a cinch 


Start by putting 4 lbs of pecan halves in your bowl.  Make sure to cull out an bad pecans or shell fragments


Put 4 cups of sugar, 2 tablespoons each of salt and cinnamon in a small bowl.  I always use either kosher salt or sea salt for added flavor


Mix the sugar, salt and cinnamon together


Beat 4 egg whites and 4 tablespoons of water until frothy


Pour the egg white mixture over the pecans and toss them well to coat all the pecans so that they are all wet


Pour the sugar mixture over the pecans and toss well to evenly coat all the nuts


Pour the pecan/sugar mixture into the baking pan.  You can continue to toss the nuts to better coat them.


Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake


Set your timer for 30 minutes and turn the pecans every 30 minutes


After the first 1/2 hour, the pecans will appear very wet


As you continue to turn them, over time, they will not appear as wet


Be prepared to have a sugar coated spatula before you are done.  The nuts are usually done win 2 1/2 to 3 hours, depending on the humidity and variations in ovens.


Let the nuts cool in the pan.  When cool place in storage containers or gift bags/containers for gifts.

Warning these nuts are HIGHLY addictive!  Enjoy!

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Antonia Pendant


Deborah Roberti designs beading patterns.  Her website offers some free and some bead patterns available for purchase.  I highly recommend her bead patterns, not only are they extremely affordable and easy to follow, but they are very versatile as well.  This category highlights some of the possible variations of her Antonia Pendant pattern.  This pattern is available for purchase on her website for $4.00.

Materials for Pendant examples shown below:

  • 5 Feet of 6 lb. FireLine
  • 22 size 11/0 seed beads
  • 7 size 3mm FirePolished beads
  • 5 size 4mm Glass Pearls
  • 8 size 4mm FirePolished beads
  • 1 size 9mm Fluted FirePolished bead
  • a size 4mm closed jump ring
  • a 16 or 18 inch chain, or satin, silk or leather cord, with clasp


To see the beads used in each of the designs below, click on the desired image.







Thursday, June 27, 2013

Claret Stackers

Free Stackers Bracelet Pattern

by Deb Roberti


Deborah Roberti's Stackers Bracelets pattern is available for FREE on her website. This pattern was created to use the new Czech Neon beads and Swarovski Neon Pearls, but can be made with any colored beads. The Stackers below were created to highlight the Czech Pearl Lights color Claret.  Czech Pearl Lights are semi-transparent - allowing light to pass through them, giving them a warm glow.  Click on any image to see the beads used in each version.







Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Picasso Umber Stackers

Free Stackers Bracelet Pattern

by Deb Roberti


Deborah Roberti's Stackers Bracelets pattern is available for FREE on her website. This pattern was created to use the new Czech Neon beads and Swarovski Neon Pearls, but can be made with any colored beads. These were created to highlight the Czech color Umber.  Click on any image to see the beads used in each version








Sunday, June 23, 2013

Sea Foam Stackers

Free Stackers Bracelet Pattern
by Deb Roberti

Deborah Roberti's Stackers Bracelets pattern is available for FREE on her website.  This pattern was created to use the new Czech Neon beads and Swarovski Neon Pearls, but can be made with any colored beads. These were created to compliment Miyuki's 11RR4217 Duracoat Galvanized Sea Foam color seed bead.  Click on any image to see the beads used in each version










Saturday, June 22, 2013

Stackers by Deb Roberti


Free Stackers Bracelet Pattern
by Deb Roberti

Deborah Roberti's Stackers Bracelets pattern is available for FREE on her website.  This pattern uses the new Czech Neon beads and Swarovski Neon Pearls, but can be made with any colored beads. Click on any image to see the beads used in each version