Wow, it's been forever since I've posted anything here. I don't know why I haven't. Due to the whole world pandemic thing and working from home, I have been baking quite a bit...and working of course. Ahem.
Well, I have decided that I'm going to get back into sharing my recipes with you all. Or as they say in Texas, y'aaaalll. So, as my first offering in a long time, I'm going to teach y'aaaaaaalllll how to make peanut brittle.
I know, I know, your Mother or Grandmother told you it was too difficult or took too much time to make peanut brittle, but this way is super easy and fast. Nearly fail-proof. I promise. There's no pesky candy thermometers, barely any stirring, and the results are sure to impress. Would I stir...steer you wrong?
Fail-Proof Peanut Brittle
1 cup sugar1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 heaping cup of cocktail peanuts (I used delicious Hubs Peanuts!)
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
Prepare a baking sheet by lining with a silicone mat or butter heavily. Do not use waxed or parchment paper. Your brittle will not come off the paper, and like Alton Brown would say, "That's just not good eats!"
In a microwave safe glass bowl, mix the sugar and corn syrup together with a silicone utensil if possible. You'll be stirring melted sugar and it doesn't stick to silicone as much. If not, use a wooden spoon. A metal utensil would cool the mixture off too quickly and then you'd have more on your spoon than in your bowl.Pop this into the microwave (1,000 watt is what I have, so yours may differ) and set for 4 minutes on highest setting. Again, your microwave may be stronger or weaker, so use this recipe as a guideline. You can always cook a little more, but you can't take away burnt. Don't be tempted to stop it and stir. Let this long cooking time run to the end.
Using an oven mitt. Always be careful because boiling sugar will burn, badly, and deeply. Remove the bowl from the microwave and immediately stir in the peanuts. Work fast! You don't want it to cool off, but please be careful not to burn yourself. Put the bowl back into the microwave and set for 3-1/2 minutes.
Again, using an oven mitt, remove the bowl from the microwave and
immediately stir in the butter and the vanilla. There will be plenty of
bubbling and sizzling. Remember, hot, Hot, HOT! Place this back into
your microwave and set for 1-1/2 minutes. Don't be tempted to stop it
and stir.
This is where you can adjust the flavor of your brittle. Once the 1-1/2
minutes have passed, take a look at your brittle. Better yet, take a
whiff. It's hot though, so be careful! You can add 15-30 seconds more
at intervals and your brittle will darken.Some people like a lighter, milder brittle. Where I on the other hand like mine pretty dark and nutty flavored. Don't get me wrong, I have burnt some batches, but they weren't too bad. The batch I made here I microwaved an additional 30 seconds and it's light for me. I probably would have gone an extra 15 seconds.
Finally, with an oven mitt, remove the bowl when you've cooked the syrup
to your taste, and quickly stir in the baking soda. This is where the
magic happens!! The syrup will foam so keep stirring.Quickly, quickly pour the foaming mixture onto your prepared baking sheet. You can spread out with your silicone or wooden utensil, but I find it easier if you just tip the baking sheet and let the mixture spread that way. Let cool completely, break into manageable pieces, and enjoy!
I remember my Grandma Howard always put baking soda in her brittle. That is what adds the air into the syrup and you get an almost "honeycomb candy" texture. You can omit the baking soda if you so desire, but I'm not sure why you would really want to!
There
are other items you can add to your brittle prior to stirring in the
baking soda. You can add in finely chopped jalapenos or even
habaneros. It's fantastic*! You may want to experiment adding a little cayenne pepper or even ground cinnamon, or both!You can also make this with different types of nuts. I've made this with cashews without changing the cooking times. You may want to try almonds or even hazel nuts. I'd be careful with tiny seeds like sesame or sunflower. Just experiment and adjust times, or even add the seeds in before the baking soda to prevent burning. Go wild and have fun!
Well, I hope you are glad to see me back, because I'm glad to be back! When it's just me, Dale, and the puppies, my mind does a bit of racing, but in this day and age of computers, Internet, video chat, etc., it doesn't seem so bad.
Be safe, be kind, and be loving. Until next time!
*NOTE: I must warn you, although it's very tasty and a bit addictive, don't eat too much at one sitting. Without getting too gross or graphic, trust me on this one! Capsaicin (the element that makes peppers hot) can be a laxative. I need say no more.
