Crystalline Walnut Halves

• 8 perfect walnut halves
• ½ cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons

Put the sugar, water, and com syrup in a small, heavy saucepan with a silver-colored interior (so you can watch the mixture darkening as it caramelizes). Set over medium-high heat, stir several times to dissolve the sugar, then bring the mixture to a boil without stirring.

When the thickly boiling mixture turns brown at the edges, swirl the pan gently to even it. Just before it becomes