Makes 2 cups

2 cups pecan halves
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon (or to taste) freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Toss pecans in melted butter to coat evenly (or melt butter in a skillet, and toss pecans in melted butter that way). Spread nuts in a single layer on a cookie sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat evenly.

HINT: To make these less buttery (on your fingers) toss the hot roasted nuts, as soon as you remove them from the oven, in a brown paper bag - along with the seasonings. Then serve in a warm dish.