Cooking & Baking Essentials
The Technique
Peanuts
Peanuts can be included in salads, appetizers, side dishes & main dish entrees for undeniable crunch. When added to confections, they can carry the flavor notes alone or provide a supporting role particularly when paired with chocolate & nougat. The good news is that a humble jar of peanuts is all that’s needed in order to prepare something wonderful. I prefer to use those that are lightly salted so as to streamline ingredients needed & they make last minute additions to candy recipes much more quick when timing can determine success or not. Spiced Candied Peanuts are ideal to make & serve with cocktails when a last minute gathering has been planned as they can be prepared in less than 10 minutes. Learn how to make this simple snack by following my pointers & look to The Essential Guide To Making Homemade Candy before getting started.
Spiced Candied Peanuts
makes about 1 1/4 cups
Serve a bowl of these irresistible peanuts with cocktails or use them to add bold, crunchy flavor over salads.
1 cup dry roasted, lightly salted peanuts
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tbsp butter
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
A pinch of ground red pepper
Combine the peanuts, the sugar & the butter in a small sauté pan over Medium heat. Allow the ingredients to stand undisturbed for a minute or so while the sugar & the butter melts then begin stirring to coat the peanuts. The sugar will become sandy in texture. Cook until the sugar melts & the peanuts are glazed, about 5 minutes. Turn down the heat if the sugar begins to release smoke & stir vigorously to redistribute the heat so the sugar browns & caramelizes evenly. Combine the cinnamon & the ground red pepper. Sprinkle over the peanuts & stir until blended. Pour the nuts onto a parchment paper-lined sheet pan. Cool completely. Break the peanuts apart before serving.
FROM THE KITCHEN OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{testing notes}
How To Make Candied Peanuts
Sugar can be caramelized quickly by using a dry cooking method which involves just the sugar & the skillet. The key is to be certain the sugar does not burn so turning the heat up & down during the process may be necessary. Conversely, the skillet can be placed on & removed from the stove eye several times for equally successful results.
The Technique
Gather a small skillet & a wooden spoon. Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper & place it close to the cooking area. Read through the recipe instructions before beginning. Here’s what you should know.
No. 1
When a small amount of sugar is to be used, the dry method for caramelizing sugar is relatively fast. Combine the peanuts, the sugar & the butter in a small sauté pan over Medium heat. Allow the ingredients to stand undisturbed for a minute or so while the sugar & the butter melts then you can start stirring to coat the peanuts.
No. 2
As the process continues & as you stir the mixture, it is normal for the sugar to clump however it will eventually remelt & become smooth.
No. 3
Turn down the heat or remove the skillet from the stove eye if the sugar begins to release smoke. Stir vigorously to redistribute the heat so the sugar browns & caramelizes evenly.
No. 4
Combine the cinnamon & the ground red pepper. Sprinkle over the peanuts & stir until blended. The cooking process should take a total time of approximately 5 minutes.
No. 5
Pour the nuts onto a parchment paper-lined sheet pan. Cool completely. Break the peanuts apart before serving.
The Tune
“I Can’t Help Myself” The Four Tops
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Be sweet.
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