This is a recipe that my brother, Dean Lystad, makes at Christmas. He has made it for years and it originally came from his wife's family. It has become a huge family favorite. While visiting last weekend I got a sample of his latest batch and decided to try making it myself. I need to warn everyone that it is highly addictive. I brought in a few bags to give to the people I work closest with and they referred to it as "crack." One recipe made 6 - 7 oz bags. Most of the brittle never made it home. So in the spirit of Breaking Bad... let's cook!
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| In the baking aisle. |
Ingredients
3 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup water
1 - 1 lb bag of peanuts
2 Tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon baking soda
Equipment
8 quart pot
Heat proof spatula
Jelly Roll pan (cookie sheet with sides)
Candy Thermometer
Oven mit
1) Prepare jelly roll pan by greasing bottom and sides.
2) Cook sugar, syrup, and water to 250-260 degrees stirring constantly. This is "hard ball" on the candy thermometer.
3) Add peanuts and continue to cook and stir until mixture turns golden brown or 300 degrees.
4) Remove from heat and thoroughly stir in butter and salt.
5) When the butter is completely melted, and this is the important part, add the baking soda and stir it in thoroughly but for no more than 20 seconds. It will get frothy and white-ish. (As in Walter.)
6) Pour on greased jelly roll pan. Do your best to get it distributed evenly, but DO NOT level it out or move it around. If you do, the bubbles will pop.
7) Let cool completely.
8) Twist pan to loosen. Break into smaller pieces by putting something under it, like a dowel, and pressing down on both sides.
9) Sampling is required for quality control, so enjoy!
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| Me and Heisenberg (aka Dean) |
