In The Oven

• To caramelize your pistachios in the oven, start by mixing equal parts of sugar and water together in a saucepan and bringing them to a boil on the stovetop until all the sugar has dissolved. For every 10 ounces of nuts you want to caramelize, you'll need 2 fluid ounces each of sugar and water. Once the sugar mixture is ready, tip your nuts into it and stir them until they're coated. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the nuts onto a baking sheet, leaving any extra sugar syrup behind. Bake them in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 12 minutes.

On The Stove

• You can also caramelize pistachios entirely on the stove. For every 7 ounces of nuts you want to caramelize, you'll need 5 ounces of powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons of water or a liqueur. Mix all your ingredients together in a saucepan and cook them over a medium heat, stirring all the time. When the nuts are completely coated and the sugar has turned deep brown, take them off the heat and spread them out on a piece of baking parchment to cool.

Spice It Up

• Kick things up a notch by making a sweet and spicy version of these caramelized pistachios. Follow either caramelization method, but add a generous pinch of the Indian mixed spice garam masala and salt, and a small amount of cayenne pepper. You can adjust the pepper depending on how hot you want your nuts. These sweet and spicy pistachios make an interesting addition to both sweet and savory dishes.

Potential Problems

• The main problem when caramelizing pistachios is burning them. If you're preparing your nuts in the oven, stir them often and ensure you don't turn the temperature up too high. If caramelizing your pistachios on the stove, stir them constantly so they don't stick to the bottom of the pan, and take them off the heat when the sugar turns brown. Don't worry if your nuts stick together, as you should be able to separate them once they've cooled.