Salt And Pepper Caramels Recipes

Steps:

• Line bottom and sides of a 9-inch square pan with parchment paper; set aside.
• Split the vanilla bean in half with a small paring knife, and scrape out the seeds; discard the pod. Add the seeds to the cream in a 1 1/2 quart saucepan; scald the cream and keep the saucepan near the stove so that if the cream cools too much when needed, you can reheat it briefly. In a deep, heavy-bottomed 4-quart saucepan over low heat, blend the corn syrup and the sugar, stirring occasionally until the mixture becomes more fluid and most of the sugar appears dissolved.
• Stop stirring, raise heat to medium-high, and gently boil until a candy thermometer registers 305 degrees F (hard crack stage), about 9 to 12 minutes.
• Add the butter and salt to the sugar mixture, stirring constantly. Pour in the warm vanilla-flavored cream in a slow but steady stream without letting the boiling stop (be careful-mixture foams up and is steamy). Lower heat to medium and continue to boil gently until the thermometer registers about 248 degrees F, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, about 14 to 15 minutes.
• Let the candy stand about 3 minutes to allow bubbling to subside, then pour into the prepared pan without scraping the saucepan; allow to cool at least 5 hours.
• Invert onto a clean cutting board and cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips; then cut across the strips to form 1/2-inch squares. To apply a patch of gold leaf to each square, use a small artist's brush. With the brush, lift a tiny patch about the size of an oatmeal flake of gold leaf and deposit it on top of the caramels for decoration.
• Cut caramels tend to stick together and not hold their shape unless individually wrapped, so for easiest storage wrap the block of caramels in aluminum foil and cut off portions as needed. Store cut caramels in layers, separated by aluminum foil in an airtight metal or plastic container in a cool place for up to 3 weeks.

Steps:

• For the pears: Peel the pears if desired. Cut the pears in half and scoop out the cores. Cut each half in half again.
• Arrange the pear pieces cut-side down in a large saute pan. Dot the butter all around the pears and place the pan over medium heat. Cook, occasionally swirling the pan but not stirring, until the pears are lightly browned and the butter begins to sizzle, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Sprinkle the cinnamon and fennel seeds over the pears, then gently stir and baste the pears with the butter and spices. Continue to cook just until the pears are tender, then add the vanilla and gently stir to incorporate. Keep the pears warm until ready to serve.
• For the caramel sauce: Stir together the granulated sugar, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Place the pan over medium heat, swirling the mixture occasionally (do not stir). If you notice crystals forming around the edge of the pan, wipe the inside of the pot with a pastry brush moistened with water.
• Cook the sugar mixture at a simmer until it has turned deep brown and registers between 330 and 350 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the butter, salt and pepper until completely incorporated. Carefully add the heavy cream. Reserve warm, or refrigerate until ready to serve. (Keeps up to 4 weeks, refrigerated in an airtight container.)
• For the whipped creme fraiche: In a clean bowl, beat together the heavy cream, creme fraiche, confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract with an electric mixer or by hand until stiff peaks form. Reserve chilled until ready to serve.
• Arrange the pears on a platter. Drizzle with 1/2 cup of the caramel sauce, then top with a couple dollops of the whipped creme fraiche. Serve with additional caramel sauce and whipped creme fraiche on the side.

Steps:

• Spread dulce de leche on small butter crackers. Sandwich with vanilla ice cream.

Steps:

• Line 9x5-inch loaf pan with foil; spray foil with cooking spray.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream, vanilla, kosher salt and 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat until mixture just begins to simmer. Remove from heat; cover with lid. Set aside.
• In 2-quart heavy saucepan, mix sugar and corn syrup; add candy thermometer. Cook over medium heat, stirring gently, until sugar is dissolved. If granules of sugar become stuck to sides of saucepan, use wet pastry brush to brush granules down towards syrup. Cook syrup, without stirring, until thermometer reads 310°F. If hot spots or darker areas occur while cooking, gently roll saucepan around to evenly disperse syrup.
• Remove saucepan from heat. Slowly pour cream mixture into syrup. Syrup will bubble violently so be careful to add cream slowly to ensure syrup does not bubble over edge of saucepan. Stir until smooth.
• Return saucepan to medium heat. Cook caramel until thermometer reads 260°F.
• Remove saucepan from heat; remove thermometer. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter until caramel is smooth.
• Pour caramel into loaf pan. Cool 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle coarse sea salt evenly over top. Cool completely in pan on cooling rack.
• When caramel is cool, remove from pan by lifting foil. Peel foil from caramel. Using sharp long knife, cut into 35 to 40 squares. Wrap each caramel individually with waxed paper or cellophane.