Ada Perez Pralines Food

WALNUT PRALINES

Steps:

• Combine sugars and milk in saucepan over medium heat. Stirring, with a wood spoon, do not scorch milk.
• Spray baking non-stick spray on cookie sheet or aluminium foil laid on top of thick towels.
• Once mixture boils, stir in butter, walnuts, spices and honey. Continue to heat, without stirring, until between 235 to 240 degrees F. (113 to 116 degrees C) Recommended you purchase a digital thermometer-great investment!
• Once temperature has been reached, remove from heat and let cool 5 minutes.
• Beat until thickened until liquid poured from wooden spoon starts to pour slowly.
• Immediately drop by one spoonfull onto sprayed cookie sheet or foil.
• Let cool and freeze in small bags of 3 to 4 per bag. THESE ARE SOO GOOD YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EAT JUST ONE!

BUTTERMILK PRALINES

Steps:

• Use your favorite pot that is large enough to prevent boilovers as the candy does need a lot of room to bubble up.
• Pour the buttermilk, sugar, and baking soda in the pot.
• Stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved.
• Place the pot on low to medium burner and let the candy boil to a soft ball stage, stirring constantly all the while.
• The mixture will turn a brownish color but don't worry; it's supposed to.
• Once the soft ball stage is reached,then add two cups pecan halves, a teaspoon of vanilla and butter.
• Beat the mixture until it becomes glossy and starts to get very thick.
• Quickly spoon it onto greased wax paper making little patties.
• If you like and have time before the candy hardens, you can turn the pecan halves right side up which makes the patties look prettier.
• Let the candy completely cool before removing it from the paper.
• Should the mixture harden before you've had time to get it all onto the paper, return it to the heat for a few seconds, or until it is again of the right consistency.

NEW ORLEANS-STYLE PRALINES

Steps:

• Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Have 2 small spoons ready for scooping. Bring the cream, sugar, corn syrup and orange zest to a gentle simmer in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally with a whisk or wooden spoon (do not let the cream mixture boil over). Simmer, stirring, until the mixture is thickened and light brown in color and a candy thermometer registers 240 degrees F (soft-ball stage), 20 to 30 minutes (start by stirring occasionally, then switch to stirring constantly when the mixture starts to stick to the bottom of the pan). Stir in the pecans and salt; the temperature will drop at least 5 degrees F to 10 degrees F.
• Continue to simmer, stirring, until the mixture begins to pull away from the sides of the pan (the thermometer should register 246 degrees F to 247 degrees F). To test for doneness, drop a quarter-size amount onto a prepared baking sheet: The mixture should hold a rounded shape and look dull; if it runs out flat, continue cooking.
• Use the small spoons to spoon about quarter-size mounds of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets. Let sit until cool, set and dry, 30 minutes to 1 hour. If the pralines are still too soft to pick up after a few hours, let them sit in a cool, dry place, uncovered, for 1 or 2 days. Once dry, store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

PECAN PRALINES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Combine the pecans, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cream, butter, corn syrup and vanilla in a large Dutch oven fitted with a candy thermometer. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Cook until the candy thermometer registers 236 degrees F, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and continue stirring for 1 minute; the mixture will begin to thicken. Working quickly, carefully pour the praline mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread thin before it starts to set. Allow to cool and harden for at least 10 minutes.
• Break into serving-size pieces. Store in an airtight container.

PRALINES

Steps:

• In a deep, 2-quart heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar and milk and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugars melt. Cook, stirring frequently, to keep mixture from bubbling over, until a candy thermometer reads 228 degrees. Add the pecans and butter and stir until butter melts. Continue cooking until thermometer reaches 232 degrees. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Allow to cool, stirring occasionally, until the mixture loses some of its gloss.
• Spoon the praline mixture onto parchment paper, forming 24 thin patties, each about 2 inches in diameter. Let cool at least a half hour. Wrap individually in wax-paper squares.

ADA PEREZ PRALINES

Steps:

• Combine sugars,salt and milk.
• Cook until soft ball stage on a candy thermometer.
• Add pecans.
• Remove from fire and add vanilla and butter.
• Beat until stiff;drop on wax paper let sit until set and then enjoy.

PRALINES

Steps:

• Place a large piece of parchment paper on a flat surface, preferably granite or wood.
• Put all the ingredients in a large pot and attach a candy thermometer to the side. You need to be sure the thermometer goes deep into the mixture. Turn the heat to medium high.
• Fill a bowl that's larger than the pot halfway with ice water and set it aside.
• Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon. When everything has melted together, start checking the temperature. When the thermometer reaches exactly 236 degrees F, remove the pot from the heat and stick it in the bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process. Stir for 45 seconds while the pot is in the ice bath to evenly cool the entire mixture.
• With a large spoon, start dropping puddles of the mixture onto the parchment. Make sure you're getting some pecans in every spoonful. If you feel like it, sprinkle just a bit of salt on top. Let them cool all the way. If you're in a humid environment, they might stay sticky, but put them in front of a fan and they should get dry.
• Store them carefully in a tin, and don't stack them very high-three layers max, separated by wax paper.
• Find this recipe and more in Duff Bakes: Think and Bake Like a Pro at Home ($27.50, William Morrow).

MEXICAN PRALINES

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, mix together the brown sugar, 1/2 cup white sugar, evaporated milk and the Karo syrup.
• Bring to a rolling boil, slowly stir in remaining 1/2 cup of white sugar while keeping the mixture boiling; cook to soft ball stage.
• Add the butter and pecans, remove from heat and beat with a spoon until mixture holds its shape.
• Pour onto waxed paper in 2 to 3 inch rounds, allow to cool completely, wrap individual pralines in plastic wrap and store in a cool dry place until eaten.

CACIO E PEREZ

Steps:

• In medium skillet add olive oil and cracked black pepper, toast for 3 minutes or until fragrant.
• Add pasta water and let liquid simmer and come together. Turn off heat and add al dente spaghetti and parmigiano Reggiano and stir rapidly until cheese melts and sauce coats the pasta.
• Garnish with more black pepper.