Candied Things

Candy-ing is something people used to do to preserve things. To be really science-y, it enhances desiccation and creates an unfavorable environment for bacteria. Takes some moisture out and keeps it from going bad. Y'know, like salting or curing. Only with sugar. Glorious sugar.
Follows is a recipe but, to break it down, you are going to simmer sliced citrus in a simple syrup.

What to do with these beautiful fruit-gems? Eat them! Yum. Roll them in sanding sugar for a pretty decoration on cakes. Chop them up and use them in cookies or batters. Cover them in chocolate and, yes, eat them.

Candied Lemons

2 cups sugar
2 cups water

2 lemons (or other citrus), sliced thinly - 1/8-1/4"

Bring sugar and water to a simmer over medium heat. Add in lemon slices. Simmer for 45 minutes to an hour until slices become translucent (see photo below).
Carefully remove lemons from syrup (use tongs or a small sieve), drain and dry on racks with parchment underneath to catch the sticky stuff.
Store in an airtight container for about a month.

Please be careful with boiling sugar syrup. Boiling sugar syrup is Lava. Lava really hurts and leaves nasty blisters down your legs and feet. Just sayin'.

Candied Nuts

Tons of ways to candy nuts, including using egg whites, boiling in sugar syrup or even frying. I like this way because it is simple and doesn't use a lot of ingredients. And I love the flavor when they are toasted in the oven.

2 cups of nuts (walnuts, pecans, whatever)

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon water

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment, spray liberally with non-stick spray.

In a small pot, combine water and sugar. Stir with heatproof spatula or wooden spoon,until sugar is dissolved. Add in nuts, fold together with sugar to coat.

Spread onto cookie sheet in a single layer. 

Bake for 10-15 minutes, until nuts are toasted. 

Cool completely before eating them! It's worth the wait.

Feel free to break up the nuts as they cool, with your spatula or spoon, to keep them from clumping together. The sugar coating will get hard as it cools completely and its harder to break them up once they're cool.

Store in an air-tight container for up to a month.

'dees nuts.

Again, great in baked goods or covered in chocolate or just eat them as they are. 

Cheers <3