Pralines

Erica and I made pralines, starting with some very basic, very white ingredients.  Sugar, buttermilk, baking soda.

You have to stir a long time, until the mixture caramelizes and turns brown.  It's best to make pralines with someone, so you can take turns stirring.  If you take too much of a break, the syrup will scorch.




Then you add nuts.  I usually have lots of nuts in my kitchen.

Stir some more, until the mixture starts to cool and thicken.  Then plop your pralines out onto waxed paper.  Do it fast, before they harden.  If you eat one, go run five miles. 

Aunt Bee's Pralines

2 cups sugar

1 level teaspoon baking soda

1 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup pecans

Boil sugar, baking soda and buttermilk in a deep pot until mixture reaches soft ball stage.

Remove from heat and beat by hand, adding vanilla and nuts when mixture starts to get creamy.  Dollop quickly by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.

Enjoy!