Spicy Pecan Praline Caramel Food

SPICED HOLIDAY PRALINES

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine sugar, cane syrup, pecans and 1/2 cup water. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 235 degrees on a candy thermometer.
• Remove saucepan from heat and immediately stir in butter, vanilla extract and spices. Allow mixture to cool for 10 minutes.
• Carefully using a hand-held mixer, or a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip until mixture changes to a lighter color and becomes creamy and just starts to stiffen as it cools (it should still be warm). The pecans will break up a bit.
• Use a tablespoon-size cookie dough scoop to drop mixture onto two parchment-paper-lined baking sheets (12 pralines on each sheet). Use a spatula to flatten each praline. Let cool completely and store in a tin, creating separate layers with wax paper.

CANDIED PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the Confectioners' sugar, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, and water.
• Add the pecans to the sugar mixture and stir until the nuts are evenly coated.
• Transfer the pecans to the prepared baking sheet and arrange in a single layer. Do your best to make sure the nuts are evenly spread out (if they are clumped together, they won't cook evenly). Scrape out every last bit of glaze from the bowl and drizzle over the nuts. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the pecans are caramelized and the caramel on the baking sheet is a rich brown color but not burnt. (The nuts around the edges will darken first; watch closely so they don't burn.)
• Immediately slide the parchment off of the hot baking sheet and allow the pecans to cool completely on the countertop (this stops the cooking process and prevents the nuts from burning). Once cool, remove the pecans from the parchment, breaking apart any clusters if necessary, and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
• Note: If the nuts are sticky after cooling, that means they are a bit undercooked. Pop them back in the oven for a few minutes and let cool again.

STOVETOP CARAMELIZED PECANS

Steps:

• In a nonstick skillet over medium high heat, melt together brown sugar and water until rapidly bubbling. Add pecans, stirring thoroughly to coat. Cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes, until fragrant and most of the liquid has evaporated. (But not so long at the sugars burn.)
• Spread pecans into a single layer onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, and use a fork to separate them. Let stand at room temperature for about an hour, until fully cooled, set, and dry. (Pecans will be only very slightly tacky to the touch.)
• Break apart any pecan clusters and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

PECAN PRALINES

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except the pecans in a heavy saucepan. Over medium heat stir mixture until it comes to a boil. Turn heat down to medium-low and continue to stir. Spoon mixture up on sides of pan to melt any sugar that hasn't melted.
• Cook until mixture reaches 238 to 241 degrees F on a candy thermometer or soft ball stage. Stir in the pecans. Remove from heat. Stir until the mixture begins to thicken and becomes creamy and cloudy. Drop onto parchment paper, buttered pan or buttered marble slab, using a spoon or ice cream scoop. Let cool.
• A viewer, who may not be a professional cook, provided this recipe. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe and therefore, we cannot make representation as to the results.

PECAN-PRALINE CHEESECAKE WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 375°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Wrap the outside of a 10-inch round springform pan with foil.
• In a medium bowl, toss the pecans with 1/2 teaspoon of the butter, 1/2 tablespoon of the granulated sugar, the brown sugar, the cream and salt. Spread the nuts on the prepared baking sheet and arrange them, right side up in a single layer. Bake for about 18 minutes, until the sugar is caramelized and the pecans are toasted. Let cool.
• Transfer all but 12 of the pecans to a food processor. Add the graham crackers and pulse until finely ground. Add the remaining stick of melted butter and 1/3 cup of granulated sugar and pulse until the crumbs are moistened. Press the crumbs over the bottom of the pan and two-thirds of the way up the side of the prepared springform pan.
• Make the filling: In a clean food processor, pulse the cream cheese with the sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, and pulse until incorporated. Scrape down the side of the bowl. Pulse in the vanilla and sour cream. Scrape the batter into the pan and bake in the center of the oven for about 1 hour, until the top of the cheesecake is lightly golden in spots and the center is slightly jiggly. Transfer the cake to a rack and let cool completely. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate overnight.
• Unwrap the cheesecake and discard the foil. Remove the ring and transfer the cake to a plate. Arrange the 12 reserved pecans on top. Using a warm, slightly moistened knife, cut the cake into wedges, wiping and rewetting the blade between slices. Transfer the slices to plates and pour some of the Caramel Sauce on top. Serve with the remaining Caramel Sauce.

HOT AND SPICY PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• In a medium bowl, mix butter, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper, salt, and garlic powder. Stir in the pecans, and gently toss with chili powder to coat.
• Spread coated pecans on a medium baking sheet, and cook 30 minutes in the preheated oven, stirring approximately every 10 minutes.

PECAN-PRALINE CHEESECAKE WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• PREPARE THE CRUST::
• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper & wrap the outside of a 10-inch round springform pan with foil.
• In a medium bowl, toss the pecans with 1/2 teaspoon of the butter, 1/2 tablespoon of the granulated sugar, the brown sugar, the cream and salt.
• Spread the nuts on the prepared baking sheet and arrange them, right side up in a single layer.
• Bake for about 18 minutes, until the sugar is caramelized and the pecans are toasted; let cool.
• Transfer all but 12 of the pecans to a food processor.
• Add the graham crackers and pulse until finely ground.
• Add the remaining stick of melted butter and 1/3 cup of granulated sugar and pulse until the crumbs are moistened.
• Press the crumbs over the bottom of the pan and two-thirds of the way up the side of the prepared springform pan.
• PREPARE THE FILLING:.
• In a clean food processor, pulse the cream cheese with the sugar until smooth.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, and pulse until incorporated.
• Scrape down the side of the bowl.
• Pulse in the vanilla and sour cream.
• Scrape the batter into the pan and bake in the center of the oven for about 1 hour, until the top of the cheesecake is lightly golden in spots and the center is slightly jiggly.
• Transfer the cake to a rack and let cool completely.
• Wrap in plastic and refrigerate overnight.
• Unwrap the cheesecake and discard the foil.
• Remove the ring and transfer the cake to a plate.
• Arrange the 12 reserved pecans on top.
• Using a warm, slightly moistened knife, cut the cake into wedges, wiping and rewetting the blade between slices.
• Transfer the slices to plates and pour some of the Caramel Sauce on top.
• Serve with the remaining Caramel Sauce.
• *The cheesecake can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
• PREPARE THE CARAMEL SAUCE:.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the butter with all three sugars and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
• Cook over moderately high heat for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Add the cream and boil for 2 minutes longer.
• Transfer the caramel sauce to a pitcher.
• Stir in the vanilla and salt and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours.
• **The caramel can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
• Whisk to combine before serving.

TATSOI AND WARM SCALLOP SALAD WITH SPICY PECAN PRALINE

Steps:

• Make praline:
• In a bowl stir together pecans, salt, and cayenne. In a dry small heavy skillet or saucepan cook sugar over moderate heat, stirring with a fork, until melted and cook, without stirring, swirling skillet or pan, until a golden caramel. Add pecan mixture and stir to coat nuts with caramel. Spoon praline onto a sheet of foil and cool. Transfer praline to a cutting board and chop fine. Praline can be made 3 days ahead and kept in an airtight container.
• Remove tough muscle from side of each scallop if necessary and halve any large scallops. On a sheet of wax paper combine flour, salt, cumin, and cayenne and dip flat sides of each scallop into mixture to coat, knocking off excess. In a skillet heat butter and olive oil over moderately high heat until foam subsides and sauté scallops, flat sides down, until golden and just cooked through, about 2 minutes on each flat side. Remove skillet from heat and cool scallops slightly.
• In a large bowl whisk together lemon juice , extra-virgin olive oil, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste until emulsified. Peel and pit avocado and cut into 1/2-inch-thick wedges. Cut wedges in half crosswise and add to dressing. Add scallops with any liquid remaining in skillet, tatsoi or spinach, and praline and gently toss to coat.