Crackerjacks

Ingredients

 * 1) 1/2  	 cup   sugar
 * 2) 1 	tablespoon kosher salt
 * 3) 1 	tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
 * 4) 1/4 	teaspoon cinnamon
 * 5) 1 1/2 	whole star anise, broken into points
 * 6) 6 	whole cloves
 * 7) 2 	teaspoons szechwan pepper
 * 8) 2 	cups mixed nuts, toasted

Directions
1. Blend the sugar, salt, pepper and cinnamon in a bowl.

2. Finely grind the star anise, cloves and Szechwan peppercorns in a spice grinder.

3. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to eliminate the husks, the combine with the sugar mixture.

4. Heat a large heavy skillet, preferably cast iron, over high heat until hot enough to evaporate a bead of water on contact.

5. Add the nuts and toss until they are hot to the touch, about a minute.

6. Reduce the heat if needed to prevent scorching.

7. Sprinkle the nuts with half the seasoning mixture and shak the pan until the sugar melts and turns a dark caramlized brown, about a minute.

8. Add the remaining mixture and continue shaking the pan until the sugar melts again and coats the nuts.

9. (Do not use a spatula or a spoon for this process because the sugar wil caramelize onto it instead of the nuts.) Immediately turn the nuts onto a foil-lined baking sheet.

10. Use yoru fingers to separate the nuts when cool enough to handle, then let them cool completely.

11. Store in a tightly sealed, clean, dry glass jar.