1 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pound pecan halves
½ cup butter
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Beat egg whites until soft peaks begin to form. Add sugar, salt and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form and turn glossy. Fold in nuts and coat well with the egg white mixture. Melt butter in a 9x13 inch baking pan by placing pan in the oven. Evenly spread coated nuts over melted butter in pan. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring and turning nuts about every 8 minutes, or until butter no longer remains in pan. Place hot nuts on foil and allow to cool. May be stored in an airtight container for several weeks!