Spicy Candied Peanuts

I'm just going to get straight to the point because I have a lot of ground to cover and I want to hold your interest.  These are delicious!!! I mean seriously delicious. I've already eaten just about half the bowl in the time it has taken me to post this far. You know those rich, buttery toffee peanuts that you can find sitting around at baby showers or superbowl parties? They're delicious. I could eat a whole can of them myself. I never think to buy them but whenever I am in a place that is serving them I am always feel happy. So...I decided to make some of my own and add my own little twist to them. Now, these add quite a kick to them but if you are one who does not think nice of spice, PLEASE DON'T GO YET. I've included some variations at the end for you folks. This is pretty much a something-for-everyone recipe.

Spicy Candied Peanuts

2 cups salted peanuts

1 cup sugar

2 tsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

1/2 cup water

juice and zested rind from one lime

So here is how this works. When you mix the sugar and the water together over the heat the sugar will dissolve and a syrup will form. As the syrup continues to heat up the water will eventually dissolve and all that will be left will be the sugar. Then the sugar will melt and become caramel, which will stick to your peanuts.

So here is what you do.  Bring everything except for the peanuts to a boil over medium-high heat. When it reaches a boil start stirring. At this point when you start stirring the boiling bubbles will settle down. You want to keep stirring until the bubbles keep on bubbling up even while you are stirring. This takes 5-10 minutes. When you've gotten to this point add the peanuts. KEEP STIRRING. . As the water keeps evaporating, the mixture will become thicker and harder to stir but you've got to keep stirring anyways because it can burn easily. You will know when all the water has evaporated because you will have what looks like dry, course sand. Still keep on stirring. Keep on stirring until the "sand" starts to melt and turns into caramel. This happens pretty quickly. Stir for 3-5 minutes after you see it melt. Spread out on a baking sheet or a sheet of wax paper and let cool.

Now this is really cool. When you are done you are going to have a big sticky mess all over your pans and stirring spoon. Just fill the pan up with water and bring to a boil. The sticky sugar will dissolve and you can continue on cleaning your pan like normal. Let your spoon soak in the boiling water for a minute or two to allow the sugar on the spoon to dissolve.

Variations 

• Add 1 tsp. cinnamon.
• Crank it up to 2 1/2 tsp. chili powder and 3/4 tsp. cayenne pepper if you want more spice.
• Cut the amount in half if you want less.
• Forget the chili and cayenne and instead use 2 tsp. of cinnamon.
• 1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 1 Tbs. fresh chopped herbs from your garden
• Leave out any sort of spice altogether.
• Instead of lime use lemon.
• Or orange. 
• You get the idea...just use whatever combination sounds good to you. If you try something I haven't thought of be sure to post it so others can try it as well.