Crunchy Spiced Pecans

 

These are dangerously good and have received favorable feedback from many distinguished guests. You can use any unroasted nut, but pecans are great. 
Tips:
Costco has 2lb-bags of pecans at a great price.
Precut parchment pieces are wonderful compared to rolls.
Crush any clumps of the spices. 

1 large egg white

1 tablespoon water

1 teaspoon salt

1 pound unsalted nuts (see note)

½ cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground coriander

Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position.  Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and coat with cooking spray. Whisk egg white, water, and salt in large bowl. Add nuts and toss to coat. Drain in colander thoroughly, 4 to 5 minutes.

Mix sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and coriander in large bowl. Add drained nuts and toss to coat. Spread nuts evenly on prepared baking sheet and bake until dry and crisp, 40 to 45 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through baking time. Cool completely. Break nuts apart and serve. (Nuts can be stored in airtight container for 3 weeks.)

Turf Club Cocktail

This is a wonderfully balanced cocktail. It's a Martinez with dry vermouth sub for rosso vermouth with a dash of absinth. I highly recommend trying this one if you have the ingredients on hand. It's worth the purchase if you are missing only one. Music accompaniment: Have You Seen It In The Snow by Magnetic Fields.

2 ounces gin / I'm using Beefeater

3/4 ounces dry vermouth

1/4 ounce maraschino liqueur

10 drops (2 dashes) absinthe / I'm using Absinth ordinaire

10 drops (2 dashes) orange bitters / I'm using Angostura

Garnish: lemon twist

Mix all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass. 

Garnish with lemon twist.