Why toast nuts? It brings out full, total flavor. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to do and what a difference it makes in the taste.

Basic instructions are: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread them out in one layer on a baking pan. Stir once or twice with a metal spatula or a long wooden spoon while toasting. Remember that chopped nuts will take less time than whole nuts and halves. And pay attention to the nuts while they’re toasting, don’t leave the kitchen!! Nuts will continue to cook and darken after they are removed from the oven, so watch them and remove just as you start to smell them in the air.

Here are some general guidelines:

Almonds: Whole almonds about 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until light brown. Slivered almonds 2 to 3 minutes.

Pecans: 4 to 5 minutes or until you smell them

Pine Nuts: 7 to 8 minutes, or until lightly golden. Or toast in a heavy cast iron skillet over low heat for 3 to 5 minutes, shaking the pan frequently, until they turn brown.

Macadamia nuts: 8 minutes, or until golden brown

Walnuts: 10 minutes, or until golden

Hazelnuts: (filberts) 20 minutes; rub off skins while nuts are warm