Pralines Amaretto Recipes

AMARETTO PUMPKIN PIE WITH ALMOND PRALINE

Steps:

• Make the dough: Pulse the flour, cookies and salt in a food processor until the cookies are finely ground. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse meal with pea-size bits of butter. Drizzle in 1/4 cup ice water and pulse until the dough begins to come together. Turn out into a 9-inch glass pie plate (not deep dish) and press into the bottom and up the sides about 1/4 inch above the rim. Pierce all over with a fork and chill until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the crust with foil, then fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake until the edges are golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the foil and weights and continue baking until the crust is golden all over, 10 to 15 more minutes. Cool completely on a rack.
• Make the filling: Whisk the pumpkin, cream, sugar, eggs, liqueur, nutmeg, vanilla and salt in a bowl. Pour into the crust and bake until the edges are set but the center still quivers, 50 to 60 minutes. Cool completely on a rack.
• Meanwhile, make the praline: Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper and brush with vegetable oil. Stir the sugar and 1 tablespoon water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, swirling the pan but not stirring, until amber, 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in the almonds and salt. Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it as thinly as possible with a rubber spatula. Cool completely.
• Coarsely chop or break the praline and sprinkle over the pie right before serving.

PRALINES AMARETTO

Steps:

• Cook sugars, milk and corn syrup to soft ball stage 234° F on a candy thermometer.
• Stir in vanilla and nuts.
• Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper.
• Allow pralines to harden.

PEACH PECAN & AMARETTO PRESERVES

Steps:

• In a heavy, non-reactive saucepot combine raisins and water and let raisins soak until they plump.
• Cut peaches into halves or quarters and combine them with the plumped raisins and water.
• Add zest and heat mixture to simmering until very tender, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in orange and lemon juices and return to a boil.
• Add sugar and cook over medium heat, stirring very frequently with a flat bottom wooden spoon, until thick, about 30 minutes.
• Test Mixture: Put a spoonful on a chilled saucer and let it cool; when saucer is held on edge, the surface of the jam should wrinkle.
• Add the pecans and cook, stirring, about 5 minutes longer.
• Remove from heat and stir in the Amaretto.
• Ladle into hot, clean canning jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space.
• Seal with new two-piece lids according to manufacturer's directions and process for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath.
• Cool, label, and store.
• Best if allowed to mellow in the jars for two weeks before serving.
• Makes great holiday gifts.

DRUNKEN PECANS

Steps:

• 1. Whisk together maple or Karo syrup and 1 cup of your brown sugar and cinnamon in a large sauce pan. Add the bourbon or Amaretto and the vanilla or almond extract. The alcohol will cook out and just leave the flavor.
• 2. Bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly. Add the pecans or whatever kind of nuts you prefer.
• 3. Keep stirring over med heat until the pecans are coated in the sugar mixture.
• 4. Continue to cook, stirring frequently until the liquid becomes thick and starts to solidify on your spoon. It needs to reach a high enough temperature for the sugar mixture to harden when cooled. (at least 240 degrees on candy thermometer)
• 5. Remove from heat and add the remaining cup of brown sugar to the pan, quickly toss until all the nuts are coated with the sugar. Pour out on a sprayed, foil lined cookie sheet to cool and break apart any big pieces that are clumped together.
• 6. Once they are cool they will be hard and crunchy. Technically they will keep for a few weeks in a sealed container, but they're usually gone in a few hours.