We love how intimate this entry is and how Toasted Country Hearth Squares suddenly look so appealing!

But now these two wonderful people NEED YOUR VOTES! They want you to reach out and show your love for their food and wine pairing.

So enough talk…let’s see some cooking!!!

The 2010 semi finalists in The Great Taste Challenge are competing for your votes. You can vote for up to three videos per day…every day! And we’re seeing an amazing race right now. So watch them all and vote for your favorites…because…why should American Idol get all that fun???

LOL

Cheers from your all friends at Santa Margherita!

Don’t simply read this…let it wash over you.

Let yourself “taste” this pairing before you ever step foot into the kitchen for that corkscrew and apron!

1 lb. pecan halves
¼ cup light corn syrup
¼ cup pure maple syrup
3 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. ground cumin
2 tsp. sweet paprika
2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees.

Spread the pecans in a large roasting pan and bake until lightly roasted, about 8 minutes.

Combine the corn and maple syrups. Pour over the nuts and toss to coat well. Bake, stirring occasionally until the nuts have absorbed most of the syrup (about 10 minutes).

Mix the sugar, cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt and cayenne. Pour the nuts into a bowl. Toss with spoon, gradually adding the sugar mixture, until the nuts are coasted with the sugar.

Cool slightly and break apart any nuts that are sticking together. Pour onto a baking sheet and cool completely. Store in an air tight container.

Suggested wine pairing: Santa Margherita Prosecco.
The spice in the pecans is a great way to start a meal, waking up the palate. The sweeter notes in Santa Margherita Prosecco neutralize the spice and cleanse the palate.

AND DO NOT FORGET!!!

While The Great Taste Challenge 2010 is now in its final weeks, we are now awarding prizes FOR EVERY ENTRY! That’s right…everyone who submits a wine and food recipe video to our contest will become a winner.

Here’s just some of what you WILL WIN BY ENTERING: