Sugared Pecans

from: marthastewart.com

Ingredients
1 large butternut squash, halved and seeded
coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
8 sprigs fresh thyme
1 whole head garlic, unpeeled
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 to 3 cups warm homemade chicken stock or low-sodium canned

Directions
Preheat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with a silpat baking mat; set aside.
Season squash with salt and pepper and tuck 4 sprigs of thyme into each cavity. Place squash, cut side down, and garlic on the baking sheet. Drizzle garlic with olive oil, and season with salt. Roast until fork-tender about 40 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand until cool enough to handle.

Discard thyme, and scoop the flesh of the squash into a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Peel 4 cloves of garlic, and add to the food processor. Reserve the remaining garlic for another use. Add about 1 cup stock and process until smooth. With machine running, add remaining stock until the soup reaches desired consistency. Transfer to a medium saucepan and heat through. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Serve immediately.

from:

Ingredients
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons tarragon vinegar
1 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
½ teaspoon salt

Directions
Whisk all ingredients together or shake them up in a jar.

from:

Ingredients
½ cup pecans, chopped
2 tablespoons salad oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon Cayenne pepper

Directions
Toss pecans in oil, then add brown sugar and cayenne pepper. Toss together. Toast in a shallow pan at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Cool and then break up.