**Indulge in the Sweetness of Persian Almond Brittle: A Journey Through History, Culture, and Culinary Delights**
In the realm of confectionery artistry, Persian almond brittle stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Persian cuisine. This delectable treat, known as "sohan asali," has captivated taste buds for centuries, weaving a rich tapestry of history, culture, and culinary mastery. Originating in the ancient city of Qom, sohan asali has transcended time and geography, becoming an integral part of Persian celebrations, festivals, and everyday indulgences. Its unique flavor profile, characterized by the perfect balance of sweetness, nuttiness, and a hint of spice, has earned it a place of honor in the hearts of sweet enthusiasts worldwide. As you embark on this culinary journey, discover the secrets behind this exquisite confection, unraveling the intricate layers of its preparation and savoring the diverse flavors that make Persian almond brittle an unforgettable experience. From the classic recipe to its variations infused with saffron, cardamom, and rosewater, each bite promises a symphony of textures and flavors that will leave you spellbound.
PISTACHIO BRITTLE
Around the holidays, most individuals will pull out their beloved family recipe for peanut brittle, except me. I don't care for peanuts; however, I do find myself in love with brittle made with cashews, pecans, macadamia nuts, the list goes on, including pistachios! A candy thermometer is a must for this recipe due to the golden syrup! It's also best to use superfine granulated sugar as it melts better, and for best results make this when it is not humid.
Provided by thedailygourmet
Categories Candy Brittle
Time 40m
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat with cooking spray.
- Combine 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, butter, water, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir until butter has melted, 3 to 5 minutes. Add syrup and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved and melted, about 5 minutes.
- Allow mixture to come to a boil, stirring constantly. Once mixture reaches 310 degrees F (155 degrees C), remove saucepan from heat. Stir in pistachios, baking soda, and cayenne (mixture will foam).
- Stir until mixture is no longer bubbling and caramel is smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and spread out with a lightly greased spatula. Let cool until firm, about 15 minutes. Break into pieces.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 148.4 calories, Carbohydrate 17.2 g, Cholesterol 10.2 mg, Fat 8.7 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 2.3 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 155.5 mg, Sugar 10.6 g
PERSIAN ALMOND BRITTLE
This Persian brittle is suffused with rose water and saffron.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes
Yield Makes 2 dozen pieces
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment; set aside. Dissolve saffron in rose water; set aside. Fill a bowl with ice water; set aside.
- Place sugar, honey, and oil in a heavy medium saucepan over high heat, and stir constantly until sugar is melted.
- Stir in the almonds, and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture has thickened and is golden, about 2 minutes.
- Add the saffron mixture, and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is golden brown. Drop a spoonful of the mixture into the ice water. If it hardens immediately, the mixture is ready. Reduce heat to the lowest setting.
- Quickly drop mixture by tablespoons onto the paper, leaving a 1-inch space between. Sprinkle immediately with the chopped pistachios. Cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container.
RICH PISTACHIO BRITTLE
Here's a fun twist on traditional brittle. Pistachios not only add wonderful taste to the rich, buttery candy, but delicious texture. -Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 40m
Yield about 1-1/2 pounds.
Number Of Ingredients 8
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 161 calories, Fat 9g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 11mg cholesterol, Sodium 215mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.
Tips for Making Almond Brittle:
- Use fresh almonds. Fresh almonds will be more flavorful and have a better texture than stale almonds.
- Toast the almonds before using them. Toasting the almonds will bring out their flavor and make them more crunchy.
- Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan. A heavy-bottomed saucepan will help to evenly distribute the heat and prevent the sugar from burning.
- Use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature of the sugar. This will help to ensure that the sugar reaches the right temperature for making brittle.
- Pour the brittle onto a greased baking sheet. This will help to prevent the brittle from sticking.
- Let the brittle cool completely before breaking it into pieces. This will help to prevent the brittle from breaking into too small of pieces.
Conclusion:
Almond brittle is a delicious and easy-to-make treat that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its crunchy texture and sweet, nutty flavor, almond brittle is the perfect snack or dessert. Whether you are making it for a special occasion or just for a sweet treat, almond brittle is sure to be a hit. So next time you are looking for a delicious and easy-to-make treat, give almond brittle a try.
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