Thursday, December 20, 2012

Recipe for Pralines

More than eleven years ago, long before Paul and I had kids, we took a trip to New Orleans for our five year wedding anniversary.  We had a wonderful trip, and one of the fun things we did while there was go to a cooking class. 

The chef was a very large man, who made gumbo, jambalaya, and Creole pralines.  Everything was wonderful.  I remember during the class a lady raising her hand and asking, "Are you using whole milk in that?  Could I use skim?" and he replied with great mirth, "DO I LOOK LIKE I USE SKIM MILK?!? If you want it to taste good, you use whole!" and the whole class laughed. 

I saved the recipes that we made in the class all these years, even though I have never recreated them at home.  But after my recent success with the candy thermometer in making English toffee, I decided I was ready to attempt the pralines.  I poured myself a glass of white wine and rolled up my sleeves.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup milk
6 tbsp butter
1 1/2 cups pecans
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine all ingredients and bring to a "softball stage" of 238-240 degrees, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat. 

Stir until mixture thickens, becomes creamy and cloudy, and pecans stay suspended in mixture (I think this took me longer than expected - maybe 8 minutes or so).  Spoon out on buttered wax paper. 

Makes 1-50 pralines, depending on size.



I was pleased these turned out.  I took them the next day when I volunteered with Barn Cat Buddies to help make raffle baskets for their upcoming fundraiser.  They were quite a hit!  Maybe next I'll try my hand at the jambalaya.  I make jambalaya frequently, but have never tried the version from the cooking class. 

32 comments:

Nancy said...

They look amazing -- and I agree with the chef -- sometimes you just gotta use the good stuff!

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Way to go, Baby Girl for the Pralines, volunteering to help other kitties, making the large man's "full fat" (LOL!!!)version and for pouring a glass of wine before rolling up your sleeves!!!...:)JP

Eat To Live said...

Those look great!! I can just imagine how good they taste.

I have made jambalaya before and it turned out so good. I think I only made it once and am not sure why.

Unknown said...

Wow! These look awesome! They will be a big hit at the raffle!

andy said...

Wow those look great !!!!!!!!have a wonderful day Lisa !!!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

those look reeallly good. Love that Chef's attitude :-) He's right!

Kerri Farley said...

Another one that looks Yummy!! You are one Home-makin' Mama!! Kudos to you!

Jeanne said...

Oooohhhhh! This is my favorite candy! Thanks for sharing this recipe. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family!

Anonymous said...

THESE LOOK DELICIOUS. MY HUSBAND LOVES JAMBALAYA TOO!

Karen Lakis said...

Yum!!! Love love love pralines - I'm thinking I might need to try this one.

LOVE MELISSA:) said...

Those look amazing! They look easy to do too!

Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam & Dylan Too said...

They sound really good!

Judy said...

Those look soooo yummy! Totally agree, I use whole milk in all my baking.

Tanya Breese said...

pinned it, love pralines, yum yum!

Anonymous said...

D and I went to New Orleans for our first vacation. I gained 5 pounds. Nuff said.

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

They look beautiful! You are a really adventurous cook!

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

This is so nice to take a trip...then have something to bring home and enjoy cooking

Debbie said...

haha...i agree with large chef man!!

my mom always asks if she can use margarine instead of butter. i always reply, "sure, if you want it to taste like crap"!!

Ginny Hartzler said...

I bet the boys just love this!!! I still have recipes from a cooking class I took. Unfortunately it was not in New Orleans, what a great memory!

Are We There Yet! said...

I am not making any Christmas goodies this year because the Hubs is trying to cut down. His Mom makes enough for everyone so he at least gets some treats.

Those look better each time I visit this page.

Our Neck of the Woods said...

Haha, such a funny story! Fat usually does taste better :)

The pralines look yummy! It always makes me nervous to boil sugar on the stove, though.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh now I am hungry they sure look good. Can I come drop by just for a few minutes I promise to only steal one or two and hug from those cute boys of yours. Merry Christmas Lisa. Hug B

Chatty Crone said...

That little glass of wine helps the candy making process!

Jori said...

I can't wait to make these. Thank you for posting!

Chicken Wrangler said...

That looks so yummy!!!

Sally said...

I know have to be delish with the recipe from New Orleans. A friend once sent me some from there, and I have to admit, I ate way too many.

Thanks for this recipe, Lisa. I'm writing it down. :)

xoxo

Ellie said...

Don't you find that most of these chefs use lots of butter, sugar, milk and salt in their cooking? But it usually does make it taste better.
These look great and I bet they tasted really great too. :)

Tweedles -- that's me said...

That is what I want for Christmas.
love
tweedles

Michelle said...

I remember these from my trip to NOLA, years ago. They are so delicious. Yours turned out great!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Ah---the memories!!!! Since I lived in New Orleans for 4 years, I think I know who you were talking about. It was probably Chef Paul Prudhomme you talked to about the praline recipe. He is/was a very popular chef in New Orleans. You can look up info about him online to see if that is the one...

I love pralines --and I also love jambalaya...

Merry Christmas.
Hugs,
Betsy

GardenOfDaisies said...

Lisa, these look delicious. If I make them, I'll be sure to use whole milk! :-) wishing you a very happy Christmas!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Thank you so much for the recipe.
I definitely want to try to make these, they sound delicious!