YumSugar

12 Days of Edible Gifts: Sweet and Spicy Brittle

YumSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:15:29 -0800

During the holidays, I keep homemade brittle in pretty packages to ensure that unexpected guests don't leave empty handed. This year, I made two different types of brittle: a classic peanut brittle and a more exotic, spicy brittle with pine nuts. However, it's easy to make brittle with any nut, seed, spice, or dried fruit.
Making brittle can be a daunting task, but with a couple of helpful tips, the procedure is uncomplicated. A candy thermometer is essential. There's a limited amount of time between brittle and burned sugar disaster, so have all the nuts and other ingredients ready and waiting. When the amount of steam produced by the boiling water and sugar mixture lessens, you have reached the hard-crack stage. Most importantly, remember to be patient! Get started on this crunchy, sweet, and spicy gift when you read more.

Sweet and Spicy Brittle
From Epicurious

Ingredients

Classic Peanut Brittle
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup salted peanuts
Spicy Pine Nut Brittle
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 250°F. Lightly oil a large sheet of foil on a baking sheet, then warm in oven.
Cook sugar and water in a deep 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring slowly with a fork, until melted and pale golden.
Cook caramel without stirring, swirling pan, until golden. If making the spicy variation, immediately stir in red pepper flakes, salt, and nuts and cook, stirring, until nuts are golden, about 1 minute.
Once brittle reaches hard-crack stage (about 300°F) quickly pour onto foil, tilting baking sheet to spread brittle evenly before it hardens. (If caramel hardens too fast, put in a 400°F oven until warm enough to spread, 1 to 2 minutes.) Cool brittle on baking sheet on a rack until completely hardened, then break into large pieces.
If you want to create brittle pops, cut skewers into thirds. Alternate the sticks on a foiled and oiled cookie sheet. Cook the brittle as directed above, pour on the foil covering 1/3 of the top of each stick. Once cooled, carefully break apart brittle pops.

Makes 1 1/2 cup brittle of each type.

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Would You Rather Get Peppermint Bark or Peanut Brittle?

partysugar — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 01:30:59 -0800

Source

Have You Ever Made Candy at Home?

YumSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:45:32 -0800

After reviewing the new reference book A Field Guide to Candy, I found myself looking back on all the fun candies we've made, from candied orange peel to peanut brittle to peppermint bark. It left me wondering if you ever tried to make your own candy.

Yummy Links: From Grant Achatz to Top 10 Lists

partysugar — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 06:50:28 -0700

An inside look at Grant Achatz's yet-to-be-released memoir. - Eater
Be inspired by a gorgeous Pucci-esque dessert bar- Hostess With the Mostess
Did you know mint is a widely used ingredient in Italian cooking? - Serious Eats
Before the season ends, you must make this strawberry dumpling. - Gourmet
Love it or hate it: Sir Francis Bacon Peanut Brittle? - Eat Me Daily
Serve a grilled vegetable sandwich with egg salad and bacon at your next brunch. - Chow
Has Twitter killed the fast food restaurant industry? - The Feedbag
Be sure to check out this hilarious list of the Top 10 Top 10 Food Lists. - Endless Simmer

Source

Are You Making an Edible Gift This Holiday Season?

partysugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:45:42 -0800

For the past 10 days, YumSugar and I have been going all-out with the edible gifts. We've made everything from classic treats like peppermint bark and peanut brittle to savory delights like spicy cashews and chicken liver pate. We've got two more days left in the series, and I want to know, have we inspired you? Will you be making and giving edible gifts this year?

Yummy Links!

YumSugar — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 11:58:14 -0800

Watch Curb Your Enthusiasm's Susie Essman and Vogue food critic Jeffery Steingarten have an interesting lunch together in 'We Can Always Order More' - Serious Eats
Delicious looking cioppino (fish stew) - Simply Recipes
Just in time for New Year's Eve, The Cheap Drunk's Guide to Inexpensive Bubbly - Eat Drink One Woman

Intricate Watermelon Carving Artwork - haha.nu
Bacon Brittle, not Peanut Brittle. Bacon. - Chow
If you didn't get enough cookies for Christmas, try these Cranberry-Cherry Icebox Ribbons - Slashfood