Passover Pistachio Brittle Recipes

PISTACHIO BRITTLE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or a piece of foil lightly greased with canola oil spray.
• Combine the sugar, corn syrup and water in a medium saucepot fitted with a candy thermometer. Bring to a boil without stirring; cook until the mixture reaches 305 degrees F (the hard-crack stage), 12 to 15 minutes -- the sugar will become deeply caramelized.
• Remove the pot from the heat and carefully add the butter, baking soda, vanilla paste and fennel; the sugar will bubble up and incorporate all the ingredients on its own. With a heatproof rubber spatula, stir in the pistachios and then immediately spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. While the brittle is still hot, zest the orange evenly over the top and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
• Let the brittle cool completely before breaking into small pieces. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, place the brittle in a zip-close bag, remove any excess air, and freeze for up to 1 month.

PISTACHIO NUT BRITTLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. (180 C).
• Spread the nuts on a baking tray and toast them in the oven until light golden, 6 to 8 minutes, turning the nuts after 4 minutes so they toast evenly. Remove them from the oven and let them cool to room temperature.
• Put the sugar in a medium saucepan. Add the corn syrup and water turn stove to medium heat, stir once to mix, bring to a boil. Continue boiling, undisturbed, until a layer of bubbles forms on top, 3 to 4 minutes. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and continue to boil undisturbed for 5 minutes longer. I place a wooden spoon on top of the foil to keep down.
• Remove the foil, add the butter, gently stir with a wooden spoon a few times. When the butter has melted and is combined with the sugar mixture -- and forms a soft boil add your candy thermometer continue cooking over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer inserted into the mixture registers 300 degrees (150 C), about 12 - 15 minutes. Meanwhile, coat a 12-by-17-inch (30-by-43-cm) sheet pan with vegetable oil or spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
• As soon as the sugar mixture reaches the desired temperature, immediately but carefully stir in the combined salt and baking soda, vanilla and Pistachios.
• Using a long metal spatula, spread the nut mixture as thinly and evenly as possible over the prepared pan. Leave the brittle to cool to room temperature. The brittle will harden very quickly.
• When the brittle is completely cooled and hardened, run a clean, dry towel over the brittle's surface to absorb some of the oil. Carefully cut or tap the brittle with a mallet to break it into irregular pieces. Store in one or more airtight containers at cool room temperature.

RICH PISTACHIO BRITTLE

Steps:

• Butter a 15x10x1-in. pan, set aside. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, water, corn syrup and salt. Cook over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 240° (soft-ball stage). Carefully add butter and pistachios; cook and stir until mixture reaches 284° (soft-crack stage)., Remove from the heat; stir in baking soda and vanilla. Immediately pour into prepared pan. Spread to 1/4-in. thickness. Cool before breaking into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

HOMEMADE TOFFEE-CHOCOLATE MATZAH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper Place matzah in an even layer on baking sheet and set aside.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add brown sugar and immediately reduce temperature to low. Cook, stirring, adjusting heat as necessary, until sugar has completely dissolved and begins to bubble. Drizzle toffee over matzah and spread to cover using a spatula.
• Transfer toffee-covered matzah to oven and bake until toffee has a rich, shiny sheen, 10 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Tent matzah with aluminum foil and let stand 20 to 30 minutes.
• Remove foil tent and spread melted chocolate over matzah to cover; sprinkle with sea salt. Transfer matzah to refrigerator and let chill at least 2 hours.
• Break chilled matzah into pieces. Matzah will keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days at room temperature.