is the word 'diary' better than the word 'blog'? probably not.
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Swiftness, yes. But do not say you were not warned.
Swiftness, yes. But do not say you were not warned.
First of all, there's a funny new diary you can read, about work, to which a number of people contribute. You'll enjoy it if you've ever had to work in a cubicle or attend a meeting. If you've never had to do either of those things, WHO ARE YOU? Click here for workworkwork.
Last night my students came over for dinner and discussion. I ordered pizza, and made desserts, and they came with the ideas for their final papers so they could get each other's feedback and criticism. It was pretty fun, and they seem to have found it more fun and useful than I thought they would. I made them peppered peanut brittle and chocolate-chocolate cookies and coconut macaroons, and they exclaimed in joy about all the flavors and told me I was the best professor ever. I suspect they weren't giving much thought to my teaching abilities. When they left I said they should take cookies with them if they wanted, and when I returned to the living room after seeing them to the door I noticed that they had taken ALL THE COOKIES. Not one cookie was left for teacher. Oh well. Teacher is going to Amherst and baking two cakes tomorrow so she'll get her sugar, yes she will.
When teacher says she'll get her sugar, it's sad that she always means refined cane sugar. Or confectioners, or light or dark brown sugar. Still of the cane variety.
And now, for those of you who wrote, taste buds all a-quiver with anticipation, here is the recipe for PEPPERED PEANUT BRITTLE. You do need a candy thermometer to make this unless you really know your candy-making. Please heed my warnings about different candy thermometers in yesterday's entry. It is possible to make this recipe successfully with one of the crappy doo-dads. But it is also very possible to make this recipe incorrectly with one of the crappy doo-dads. You've been warned. Still. Please have no fear. it's only junk food.
Cooking spray
1.5 C sugar
1/3 cup light-colored corn syrup
3 T water
1.5 t vanilla extract
1 t lemon or lime juice
.5 t salt
1.5 C roasted peanuts (actually 2 C might be better)
1 t baking soda
1 t butter (t, not T)
.5 t crushed red pepper
.25 t cracked black pepper
1/8 t ground red pepper (cayenne)
1. Coat a large jelly roll pan (aka cookie sheet with sides) with cooking spray.
2, Combine sugar and next 5 ingredients (through salt) in a large saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook 10 minutes or until sugar dissolves and candy thermometer registers 325 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring occasionally. IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO WAIT UNTIL THE SUGAR DISSOLVES, OR TO WAIT UNTIL THE THERMOMETER REGISTERS 300 degrees.
3. Remove the mixture from heat; stir in peanuts and remaining ingredients all at once (HAVE ALL THE INGREDIENTS READY FOR POURING BEFORE YOU BEGIN THIS STAGE BECAUSE THE HARDENING OCCURS WITH A PURPOSEFUL SWIFTNESS AGAINST WHICH YOU WILL BE POWERLESS. Do not say you were not prepared.) The baking soda will cause the mixture to bubble and become opaque. You may even be alarmed by its color. It will be OK.
4. QUICKLY pour the mixture into your prepared jelly-roll pan, spreading it to the edges. Let it stand one hour. Break it into pieces. Put it in your mouth.
It tastes like regular peanut brittle, but is followed by a hot aftertaste. People love it.
Makes about 1.25 pounds of candy.
11:23 a.m. - December 08, 2005
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