Microwave-toasted Nuts

Total Time: 6 mins Preparation Time: 1 min Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shelled raw whole nuts (such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, or pine nuts)
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil (optional) or 1 teaspoon melted butter (optional)

Recipe

• 1 in a microwave safe dish (i used a pyrex pie plate), place the nuts evenly in a single layer (coat them in the fat, if using).
• 2 microwave on high heat for 2 minutes, stir, and continue to cook and stir at one minute intervals, until nuts are fragrant and light golden brown in color. be careful not to let them scorch. use potholders.
• 3 (note: total cook time is about 5 minutes for whole nuts-- smaller amounts or sliced nuts or sesame seeds could be done in as little as 2 minutes, larger amounts of nuts will take longer and not cook as evenly, therefore 1/2 cup of nuts is optimal for even cooking. the optional addition of the fat will speed cooking time somewhat).
• 4 important safety tips: be sure to use potholders as the dish will become hot. do not add water to the hot dish, as it may crack. microwave heating times vary, so use caution.
• 5 let cool at room temperature.
• 6 use in recipes or for snacking. makes a nice holiday or hostess gift in a jar with a fabric lid, tied with pretty ribbon or raffia.