Sugar Glazed Walnuts and Introduction to "Microwave Apparatus"



"Persian Walnuts"
Almeda Lambert (1898)

One thing Nigel and I have learned is that the most exquisite of culinary items are also sometimes the most simple.  While we were having tea with Madame Umber Landbouwer, she had a bowl of sugar glazed walnuts which she had cooked just prior to our visit.  When asked for the recipe, she introduced Nigel and I to a new and wonderous gadget, called the Miniature Non-ionizing Micro Wavelength Radiation Calefaction Apparatus (or "Microwave Apparatus", for short). 

This gadget is essentially a small metal box that uses "microwave radiation" to heat molecules in the food items placed within the heating chamber.  We were warned that there are some items that should not be put into this device, though we are not sure what the consequences would be of doing so, as Madame Landbouwer would not allow Nigel to experiment with it.  Nigel, being interested in understanding and sometimes owning mechanical advances of all natures, is determined to construct one for our homestead.

There are recipes for making sugar glazed nuts in a baking oven or on the stove top, but below is how to make them in the wonderful Microwave Apparatus.  Enjoy!


Madame Landbouwer's Sugar Glazed Walnuts
2 cups walnut halves

3/4 cup white sugar

1/4 cup water



In a one-quart glass bowl or measuring cup, combine walnut halves, sugar and water.  Cook in Microwave Apparatus for approximately 8 minutes at the highest setting or until the sugar has carmelized, stirring several times during the cooking time.  (The time depends on the strength of the Microwave Apparatus being used.)  **Madame Landbouwer prefers to cook for two minutes, stir, cook for two more minutes, stir again, and then cook at one minute increments, stirring between each minute until they are as she desires.**



Pour the walnuts mixture onto a greased baking sheet.  Separate the walnut mixture into pieces and let cool completely.  Store in an airtight container.

Other nuts may also be used with this recipe.