Monday, November 16, 2009

Throwdown: Pecans - Nigella vs Paula

Last month I got the chance to see Bobby Flay in person at the Incredible Food Show here in Lexington, KY. Bobby was so charming and full of jokes and laughter. I noticed very quickly that he enjoyed teasing the audience. You can tell that he enjoys good fun and laughter and I think this is why his Food Network show Throwdown suits him so well.

For those of you who do not know, Throwdown is a great show where Bobby is on a "secret mission" to challenge absolute masters in different kinds of cooking. In each show, the cook thinks the Food Network is shooting their dish for a special show. What they don't know is that Bobby is going to show up and surprise them with a cook-off. Surprisingly, Bobby doesn't always win. A lot of times the decision comes down to whether or not the judges prefer the "traditional dish", usually made by the cook OR "Bobby's spiced up version". You never really know in whose favor the judges will decide.

I love the idea of having a throwdown in my own kitchen and deciding which dish we like better. In preparation for the holidays, I have decided to start with pecans first. Candied or spiced pecans make a quick and easy holiday appetizer and everyone usually loves them. In the spirit of the Food Network show, I have picked a traditional recipe and a non-traditional recipe. Both recipes were easy and took the same amount of time and effort.

PAULA DEEN'S GEORGIA SPICED PECANS
VS
NIGELLA LAWSON'S MAPLE PEPPER PECANS

Paula's version is the more traditional version, made with sugar, cinnamon, evaporated milk, and vanilla. These are your traditional version of holiday pecans that you might get at the mall, in a holiday package, or from a friend. They taste almost like a praline.
Nigella's version is the more non-traditional recipe, made with butter, maple syrup, salt, and cayenne pepper. I loved the idea of using maple syrup and adding cayenne pepper. My husband and I love spicy foods and were really looking forward to trying these. My picture of Nigella's pecans didn't turn out to well, but you could see little specks of cayenne pepper running over the pecans - YUM!
THE WINNER: PAULA'S GEORGIA SPICED PECANS

Notes/Results: I was actually surprised by the vote for Paula's pecans. Dare I say that I prefer Nigella's recipes to Paula's any day of the week. Nigella's recipe also had two ingredients that I love: maple syrup and cayenne. Prior to making both pecans, I was convinced I would like Nigella's better. Nigella's pecans were a little more savory with just a hint of heat. I ate a couple and then set them aside. Paula's pecans were sweet and cinnamony and tasted just like those yummy pecans you get during the holidays in the mall. They were delicious and I couldn't stop eating them. I was addicted! I took them to a bunco game and they went over very well.

GEORGIA SPICED PECANS - adapted from The Lady and Sons, Too by Paula Deen
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup evaporated milk
2 cups pecan halves
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine the sugar, cinnamon, and milk in a medium-size saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook to the soft-ball stage (234-238 degrees on a candy thermometer). Add the pecans and vanilla and stir well. Using a slotted spoon, drop single pecans on a sheet of waxed paper; allow to cool.

Nigella's recipe can be found here, on the food network.

I think there will be more throwdowns in my future!

20 comments:

  1. Yes, I think I would like Nigella's better also. But you never know until you taste...

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  2. I love the food network, but we don't have cable. This is one of the shows I really like watching on it. And Paula Deen is another favorite. Those nuts look really yummy. That's something I've never tried making before.
    ~Jenny~

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  3. I love the idea of doing a throwdown. My husband would love Paula's pecans!

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  4. I am not really surprised that Paula won. Why? Well she usually uses more fat and sugar, and that always tastes good ... even though it makes us have fat thighs lol. They do look delish!

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  5. I totally need to watch the food network more often. That sounds like fun! I must say I prefer the sweet over the savory most days too!

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  6. I am soooooo jealous, I have had a major crush on Bobby forever!

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  7. Great idea for a throwdown! Do more!

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  8. I love Bobby! And his showdowns. I have a whole bunch of recipes to make off the shows. How fun to have your own throwdown! The pecans both sound real yummy!

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  9. fun fun throwdown! i'll have to try these!

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  10. Well I am a big Nigella fan so she has my vote any time. That's some photo of Flay you have there. I like it :-)

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  11. A throwdown--how fun! Although both recipes sound good, the way you described Paula's makes me want some right now. ;-)

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  12. Gotta love Paula! A cup of sugar!! Definitely a Christmas treat.

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  13. I think I'd like the spicy ones and my husband would prefer the sweeter ones. But who knows until we try them, right?! BTW, I made the Chicken Schnitzel w/ Bacon and White Wine last night and it was fantastic. And easy enough for a weeknight. Got home at 5:30 and we were eating by 6:30...and that included roasted broccoli and Brabant Potatoes (my husband did help with some of it). Thanks for featuring the recipe!

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  14. Oh how I LOVE pecans! From looking, Paula's recipe sounds better to me, but they both sound great. I think I will whip up a batch for a fun salad.

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  15. I love the idea of a throwdown! And as good as Nigella's sound, I think I would have voted for Paula's too. They are definitely more traditional.

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  16. mmmm! I've made Nigellas and really liked them...but I know I'd love Paula's, too! I'll just pop them alternately into my mouth. If that's okay ;)

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  17. What a fun post, I am going to try Paulas, they sound terrific!

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  18. I love Throwdown! Both versions sound delicious, but I can see why you couldn't stop eating Paula's!

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  19. I love throwdowns on the FN. I had one in my kitchen this summer with blueberry muffins. It seems like the traditional stuff always wins out over the non-conventional stuff. Maybe our tastebuds are just pre-conditioned to like it? Both of these sound incredibly good though!

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  20. I love pecans! What a fun post. I'm bookmarking this for later in the season. Thanks!

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