Spiced Pecans

Makes 3 cups; enough for snacking for 8 to 10 people

1 teaspoon sweet paprika

1 teaspoon ground cayenne

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground mace or nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon sugar

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon honey

3 cups shelled raw pecan halves (about 3/4 pound)

1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

2. Combine the spices, salt, and sugar in a small bowl and shisk to blend. Set aside 1 teaspoon of the blended mixture.

3. Melt the butter slowly over low heat in a small saucepan. After the foam subsides, turn off the heat and skim the white milk solids from the butter. Whisk the spice mixture into the butter in a slow stream. Whisk the honey into the spiced butter in a slow stream.

4. Put the pecans in a medium mixing bowl and pour the warm spiced syrup mixture over them. Toss the mixture with a spatula or wooden spoon.

5. Spread the pecans evenly on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake on the top rack for 45 minutes. The syrup should look dry (it will still be slightly sticky) and the pecans will have darkened to the color of mahogany. Remove the sheet from the oven and sprinkle the reserved 1 teaspoon spice mixture over the pecans.

6. Serve the nuts as soon as they have cooled, or store them. Stored in an airtight container, roasted pecans will keep 2 weeks