Smoked Almond Brittle Food

SMOKED ALMOND BRITTLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a large-rimmed baking sheet with a nonstick silicone mat and lightly butter.
• In a heavy-bottom saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat; boil until it registers 230 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 10 minutes. Transfer the almonds to the oven on another large-rimmed baking sheet until warmed through, but not toasted.
• When the syrup reaches 239 degrees F, stir the almonds into the syrup with 1 teaspoon salt. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the syrup is 300 degrees F and a rich caramel color; immediately stir in the butter, vanilla, and baking soda.
• Pour the brittle mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, folding the border back towards the middle to distribute the heat evenly. Cool completely at room temperature and break into pieces.

CROCCANTE: ALMOND BRITTLE

Steps:

• In a saucepan, add the sugar and cook on high heat. Continue to stir until the sugar begins to sweat and liquify. Add a bit of water to help, if necessary. Continue to cook until the sugar turns into a deep rich brown color.
• Add the almonds and mix well. Cook for a few minutes, making sure the almonds are fully coated. Remove the almonds from the heat and quickly pour and spread the hot almond-sugar mixture onto a buttered cookie sheet to the desired thickness.
• Let cool for 30 minutes before breaking it into smaller pieces.

ALMOND BRITTLE

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a large, heavy saucepan over moderate heat.
• Stir in the sugar and corn syrup until dissolved.
• Cook to the hard-ball stage (250F, 121C) and add the almonds and salt.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, to the hard-crack stage (300F, 150C).
• Remove from the heat and stir in the butter, vanilla, and baking soda.
• Pour the mixture onto a well buttered slab or baking sheet and spread it out with a spatula, making it as thin as possible while it is still hot.
• Cool to room temperature and break into pieces.
• Store in an airtight container.

ALMOND BRITTLE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
• Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat; add almonds, sugar, and syrup. Cook and stir the almonds until the mixture turns caramel in color, about 6 minutes.
• Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in a thin layer. Cool until the mixture hardens and break into pieces to serve.

SALTED ALMOND BRITTLE

Steps:

• Lightly butter a lipped baking tray and spread the almonds over it in a thin, even layer. Put the sugar, butter, salt and 4 tbsp water into a smooth-bottomed frying pan and heat gently, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat and boil for about 5 mins, or until it starts to turn light golden brown. Stir every now and again as some patches will start to caramelise faster than others. Carefully tip the caramel over the nuts and leave to cool completely.
• Once cold, shatter the caramel. An easy way to get clean sharp pieces is to put the point of a sharp knife vertically onto the caramel and bash the handle with a rolling pin, like a hammer and chisel. Serve on top of the Chocolate amaretti puddings. Keep for up to 2 days in an airtight container, interleaved with non-stick paper, in a cool, dry place (not the fridge).

CHOCOLATE DIPPED SMOKED ALMOND BACON BRITTLE

Steps:

• Cut bacon into bite-size pieces. Place pieces in large saute pan and cook over medium heat until crispy, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside. Coarsely chop smoked almonds and set aside. Line baking sheet with silicone liner or waxed paper.
• In large saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup and water. Cook mixture on medium-high heat about 4 minutes or until sugar turns thick and syrupy. Slowly add softened butter and continue stirring until mixture emulsifies. Keep cooking and stirring until mixture is golden brown, about 4 minutes longer.
• Remove pan from heat. If mixture is not smooth, whisk until it is. Stir in baking soda, salt, peppercorns, crispy bacon bits and almonds. Quickly but carefully pour brittle onto prepared baking sheet. When cool and hard, break brittle into bite-size pieces.
• Melt chocolate in microwave in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between intervals, until mixture is entirely melted but not hot. Cool chocolate to room temperature, then either dip pieces of brittle in the chocolate or drizzle the chocolate on top. Chill brittle until chocolate is set. Store in a tightly sealed container for up to 1 week.

SMOKED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Pour cooking oil over almonds in bowl.
• Toss to coat well.
• Spread on ungreased baking sheet.
• Bake in 275 degree oven for 45 minutes.
• Remove from oven.
• Pour nuts into medium bowl.
• Sprinkle with liquid smoke.
• Toss to coat well.
• Mix flour and salt in cup.
• Sprinkle over almonds.
• Toss to coat well.
• Spread on same baking sheet.
• Bake for 20 minutes.
• Cool.

SMOKED ALMOND TOFFEE BRITTLE

Steps:

• Line two rimmed baking sheets with a nonstick baking mat. Spray baking mat and baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
• Melt butter in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add sugar, corn syrup, salt, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon water; stir to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture becomes amber in color, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour onto one of the prepared baking sheets and let set.
• Meanwhile, chop half of the almonds; set aside. Melt chocolate in a large, heat-proof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water. Remove from heat.
• Remove toffee from baking sheet and chop. Add to bowl with melted chocolate along with chopped almonds; stir to combine. Evenly spread mixture onto second prepared baking sheet. Chop remaining almonds and any bits of salt remaining in can; sprinkle over brittle. Transfer to refrigerator and chill until set, about 1 hour and up to overnight.