Polenta and Candied Walnuts

Candied Walnuts

Ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 cup raw walnut

1/8 tsp coarse salt

Directions:

Preheat over to 350 degrees.  Use middle rack in the over.  Lay walnuts out on a baking sheet in a single layer.  Bake for 5 minutes.  Be careful not to burn. Remove from over and let cool in a pan on a rack.

Pour sugar into a medium saucepan with a thick bottom.  Have walnuts nearby, ready to quickly add to the pan at the right time.  Cook sugar on a medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon as soon as the sugar begins to melt.  Keep stirring until all the sugar has melted and the color is a medium amber.  As soon as sugar is melted and the color is a medium amber, add the walnuts to the pan, quickly stirring and coating each piece with the sugar mixture.

As soon as the walnuts are coated with the sugar mixture, spread them out on a rimmed baking sheet.  Use two forks to separate the walnuts from each other, working very quickly.  SPrinkle the nuts with the salt.  Let cool completely.

Polenta

Ingredients:

Candied Walnuts
Dried Cranberries
Tbsp Honey
Polenta (I bought the prepackaged polenta from Trader Joe's)

Directions:

Follow the instructions on the package for the polenta.  Once that is cooked place a serving size into a bowl.  Sprinkle the candied walnuts and the dried cranberries on top.  Last drizzle a tbsp of honey over the top. Enjoy!