Free – food and drink recipes

Author: Clint Jhonson

Pralines are sweetened nuts that originated in France. Initially, almonds were used for nuts. As pecans were abundant in New Orleans area people started using pecans instead. Originally the whole almonds individually were coated by caramelized sugar. Later the chefs of New Orleans coated caramelized sugar on pecans. Outside United States praline is a term used for powdered or paste form of caramelized nuts. In Europe, the sugarcoated nuts are powdered and used as fillings in chocolates. The famous Belgian chocolates have such kind of filling inside. In United States it is popularly known as pecan praline where individual pecan nuts are coated with caramelized sugar. Cream is often added to the mixture to make it even tastier.

Pecans are famous for its nutritional value. They are regarded as antioxidants and help in keeping down cholesterol and for keeping the heart healthy. It is better to have a bagful of pralines rather than chocolate chip cookies or potato chips.

The pralines can be easily prepared at home without much difficulty. To prepare pecan praline we need brown sugar, evaporated milk, butter, vanilla, pecans, and one-fourth cup of water. In a heavy bottomed saucepan mix milk, sugar, and water. Put it on heat stirring constantly. Bring it to boil. Keep it on heat till it reaches the consistency of a softball. Remove from the heat and stir in butter, vanilla, and pecans. Once the mixture is even start immediately dropping small balls of it on wax paper. Leave them to cool and the pralines are ready.

Another variation in preparing pralines can be chocolate pecan praline. For this you would need granulated sugar, maple syrup, light cream, unsweetened chocolate broken into pieces, salt, butter, pecans, and vanilla extract. Using a heavy bottomed saucepan combine sugar, cream, and salt and cook it on medium heat stirring constantly. Put in chocolate, butter and pecan still stirring, till it takes the consistency of a soft ball. Remove the pan from the heat and pour the mixture into another bowl and let it cool for five minutes. Beat the mixture till it thickens slightly. On a buttered plate or wax paper drop small mounds of the mixture with a tablespoon. If the mixture thickens put in spoonful of hot water to thin it down to the right consistency.

Caramelized pralines can be used as a topping on ice creams. Once you prepare the pecan praline crush them slightly and sprinkle them on the ice cream before serving. While the ice cream melts in the mouth you will get to crunch on pecan pralines. Pecan pralines can be used in desserts too. You can make a creamy dessert with condensed milk, evaporated milk, and fresh cream. Beat the evaporated milk till it turns fluffy. Beat in condensed milk. Fold in the cream and half freeze it. Remove and fold in the slightly crushed pralines into the mixture. Put it back into the freezer till it sets completely. Your creamy pecan praline dessert is ready to serve.

The pralines are also available in stores where individual pecans are used for caramelized pecan pralines. They are tinned and sealed to keep the freshness intact for a long time. They are absolutely delicious and crunchy.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Delicious Pecan Pralines for People Having Sweet Tooth