(An old pic of my brother, my cousin & I. Don't Cesar & I look like twins?)
Cesar and I have had quite a relationship over the years. It started out as siblings who are 6 years apart should, with lots of play fighting and real fighting and what not. When I was in high school and he in college we'd fight even more. Momma G trying to stop the fighting/rolling around by hitting us with a broom as not to break a nail. You know... A sensible relationship between brothers. It really wasn't until I reached college till a real close relationship started and we started really talking to each other. The bond was formed and the seedling for what has come to be a fantastic relationship between brothers.
(Muñoz brothers cause trouble & breakin' hearts!)
So what does this have to do with some lady with nuts? and more importantly what's this have to do with cooking? I"M GETTING THERE SHEESH!
When Cesar met my sister-in-law about 15 years ago or so I had no idea that I would soon be welcomed into another ethnic family where food is the center of everything. After 10 years of dating (yes 10 years..I know...) he finally popped the question and here we are some 5 years or so later. My brother's mother in law, Pilar, can throw down with some Philippino food. She makes these great empanadas, this crazy chicken salad and one a year some poor pig gets spit roasted and devoured by the likes of both our families. That's really just the beginning of it all too. One of my favorite things she makes is a little snack of fried peanuts and garlic. I have no idae if there is a name for it but I just call them Pilar's nuts! And boy are they tasty! (Don't you get any ideas!)
SO without further adieu I give you the hot... the sizzlin' Ms Testy Cles! (aka Pilar's Nuts)
2 lbs shelled & skinned peanuts
1 head of garlic peeled and thinly sliced
sea/kosher salt & pepper to taste
Enough oil to cover your nuts in the pan. I used about 2 cups of Canola but peanut oil works well too!
This recipe is super easy cause all you have to do is heat the oil till hot ass the nuts & garlic and watch it do it it's thing! (Just the tip -You know the oil is hot by sticking the butt end of a wooden spoon in the oil and if tiny bubbles start to swirl out if it you know it's ready!)
First toss the garlic in first for about 30 seconds then add nuts. lower heat a bit so nothing burns or bubbles over
Fry nuts and garlic together till garlic turn light brown around 5 to 8 mins.
Using a spider or slotted spoon remove nuts from oil and drain on a paper towel lined plate.
Toss in a bowl with a dash of sea/kosher salt and let cool.
Serve your nuts freely...but beware these are always very popular. Especially those little crispy bits of fried garlic. It's goes very fast so you may want to store some away for yourself or make an extra batch!
(I keep giggling like a school girl with so many references to nuts! - Don't you get any ideas!)
Thanks to Momma P for the inspiration and to my Big Bro for marrying into a family that can cook!
Till next time duckies, may your dreams be salty/sweet and your reality even sweeter!
Deliciously Living,
Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet!™
©2011 Michael Muñoz
