Salt And Pepper Caramels Food

SALT & PEPPER CARAMEL CUPS

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup and butter; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 4 minutes longer without stirring., Remove from heat; gradually stir in milk. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until a candy thermometer reads 238° (soft-ball stage). Remove from heat; stir in pecans and vanilla. Transfer to a large bowl; cool completely, about 1-1/2 hours (mixture will thicken upon cooling)., For cups, in a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Using a narrow pastry brush, evenly coat the inside of thirty 2-in. foil liners with chocolate. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes. Repeat twice to coat three times, reheating melted chocolate as necessary., Remove chocolate cups from liners; fill each with about 2 tablespoons caramel. Drizzle tops with melted chocolate; sprinkle with salt and peppercorns.

ROASTED PEARS WITH SALT AND PEPPER CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• For the pears: Peel the pears if desired. Cut the pears in half and scoop out the cores. Cut each half in half again.
• Arrange the pear pieces cut-side down in a large saute pan. Dot the butter all around the pears and place the pan over medium heat. Cook, occasionally swirling the pan but not stirring, until the pears are lightly browned and the butter begins to sizzle, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Sprinkle the cinnamon and fennel seeds over the pears, then gently stir and baste the pears with the butter and spices. Continue to cook just until the pears are tender, then add the vanilla and gently stir to incorporate. Keep the pears warm until ready to serve.
• For the caramel sauce: Stir together the granulated sugar, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Place the pan over medium heat, swirling the mixture occasionally (do not stir). If you notice crystals forming around the edge of the pan, wipe the inside of the pot with a pastry brush moistened with water.
• Cook the sugar mixture at a simmer until it has turned deep brown and registers between 330 and 350 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the butter, salt and pepper until completely incorporated. Carefully add the heavy cream. Reserve warm, or refrigerate until ready to serve. (Keeps up to 4 weeks, refrigerated in an airtight container.)
• For the whipped creme fraiche: In a clean bowl, beat together the heavy cream, creme fraiche, confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract with an electric mixer or by hand until stiff peaks form. Reserve chilled until ready to serve.
• Arrange the pears on a platter. Drizzle with 1/2 cup of the caramel sauce, then top with a couple dollops of the whipped creme fraiche. Serve with additional caramel sauce and whipped creme fraiche on the side.

SALT AND PEPPER CRACKERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or baking mats.
• Cream the butter and sugar together in an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until blended, for approximately 30 seconds. Sift the flour and cornstarch together in a bowl, and then add to the mixer and mix until the ingredients all come together. Finally, sprinkle over the black pepper and mix again. Tip the dough out onto a board and form it into 2 discs. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate 20 minutes.
• Place a piece of parchment paper on the counter, approximately 12-by-15-inch in size, and dust with flour. When the dough has rested, unwrap the first ball, put on top of the parchment paper, flour the surface of the dough and rolling pin and roll out to a 9-inch diameter circle, 1/16-inch thick.
• Trim the circle into an 8-by-8-inch square, discarding the scraps. Then cut down in 2-inch strips and across in 2-inch strips, making sixteen 2-by-2-inch squares. Using a small offset spatula, place the squares on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle a pinch of flaked sea salt over each cracker. Repeat the process with the second dough ball.
• Bake for 18 minutes. Do not allow the crackers to brown; check your oven sooner if it runs hot. Set aside to cool for 20 to 25 minutes before packaging up.

CARAMELS

Steps:

• Combine the maple syrup, brown sugar, cream, condensed milk, corn syrup and salt in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the mixture reaches 245 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Take from the heat and stir in the butter. Pour into a 6-inch square baking pan lined with parchment and allow to cool and set about 3 hours.
• Take the caramel from the pan and, using a very sharp knife gently sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, cut the caramels into squares and wrap in wax paper or candy wrappers (see Cook's Note). Store in a cool dry place.

BUTTER CARAMELS

Steps:

• Place sugar in a clean dry saucepan. Pour the water around the wall of the pan to avoid any splashing of sugar crystals onto the sides of the pan. Bring to a boil and continue cooking on high until amber colored. Turn heat off and with a wooden spoon, stir in the butter and then the cream. Pour into an 8 by 8-inch pan that has been lined with foil and well-buttered and let the caramel cool and set until firm. Once firm, cut into squares. Wrap in decorative clear plastic. Store at room temperature.