Carmelized peanuts
I do so hope you enjoyed your Christmas and New Years. Mine was turbulent at best. My baby was very sick and in turn gave it to my husband and me. Luckily the other two children were spared. So it was a good thing I got started in the kichen early. During Christmas time I do a lot of baking and cooking and candy making to give as gifts to friends and family. I usually over think everything and try to make way more than time or my small kitchen will allow. And I usually pick recipes I haven't tried before but sounds simple enough. I picked seven recipes to make and out of all of them only one didn't turn out. I was quite proud of myself. This sugary nut concoction turned out great though and, although I was worried about it about the middle of the way through, it was quite easy to make and required very few ingredients.
With only sugar, raw peanuts, and perserverance you can be munching on these while watching tv, or take them with you to your local highschool football game. Or, perhaps if you felt so generous, you could even share them if you dare. But once your friends get a taste of these babies you will be asked to make them again and again. It will be just between you and me how simple they are.
Pour everyone in the pool. See that candy thermometer, forget it, you don't need it. And one thing I forgot to add was the cinnamon or chili powder if you want to.
Then stir it all around to coat all the nuts. And keep stirring frequently for about the next 5 to 8 min. This is when I said, "oh crap". Cause I wasn't sure what I had done wrong. I didn't know if I got the amounts wrong, or if I put the ingredients in in the wrong order. But after re-reading the recipe I realized it was normal and everything was going according to plan. The water evaporates and the sugar gets sandy and starts to coat the nuts.
If you keep folding the nuts over on themselves you will see there is a syrup that starts to form at the bottom of the pan. It is important to keep the nuts stirred frequently so that neither the sugar nor the nuts get scorched. After a little while you will be rewarded with beautiful golden nuts.
They will be crunchy and deep brown. At this time you can add the cinnamon or chili powder whichever you wish.
Then pour them out onto a tray to cool. Break up any clumps and try to resist popping one in your mouth. They are still quite hot and the sugar can burn your mouth. But it should be quite alright to try them in a few minutes. They would be great to munch on while watching TV or maybe take some to the local highschool football game to keep you nurished during the cold evening. If you wish, you may gift some to friends or relatives. But beware! They may start asking you to make them more often, and that can be dangerous to your waistline! You can store them in an airtight container where they will keep up to about 1 week. IF they last that long!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Caramelized Peanuts
4 cups raw peanuts (or almonds)
2 cups sugar
2/3 cup water
a good pinch of coarse sea salt
1 Tbls ground cinnamon or chili powder (optional)
Place first 3 ingredients in heavy duty pan on medium heat. Stir frequently until the mixture seizes up and turns sandy. Keep stirring and scraping up the syrup forming at the bottom of the pan and fold over the top of the nuts. The nuts will start to turn brown and golden. Keep stirring and remove from heat if it starts to smoke. When it has reached the desired color remove from heat and pour out into a pan to cool. Break up any clumps and serve when cool. Will keep in an airtight container for up to 1 week.