I am a creature of habit...every season I make the same foods, put out the same decorations, do the same activities...it's Fall by Numbers around here, let me give you an example:
1. Halloween black and orange regurgitated all over the house and yard, I'm can feel my neighbors rolling their eyes...oy vey...
2. Head to the pumpkin patch to buy cornstalks, gourds and pumpkins - where I can be sure to pay top dollar for the experience of walking in dirt
3. Make Chili, Chowder, Licorice Caramels, and Pies...you'll have to scroll down and click on the PIE link - I probably make a pie a week this time of year, because it would just be rude not to, and because who doesn't like pie?!?
4. Dress up like a witch and make fool of myself. Some things are just mandatory, apologies go out November 1st.
5. Make Harvest Brittle. This is the newest addition to my Fall by Numbers list...and all I can say is, why didn't I make this sooner?!?
You've all had peanut brittle, right? This is pretty much like that, only better because it has more than just peanuts and the brittle part is flavored with brown sugar, honey, a bit of butter and vanilla. It will give you plenty of crunch, along with the cashews, almonds, pumpkin seeds, dried apricots and Craisins and sure, go ahead and toss in some peanuts just for the heckova it!
You can use regular white granulated sugar for a lighter colored brittle, which makes the orange apricot pieces and the green pumpkin seeds stand out a bit more, but I love that little hint of molasses the brown sugar gives...your choice, it's great either way.
We are celebrating today, not just Harvest Brittle and all of it's deliciouness, but it's BAD PICTURE day at Pots and Pins! Again! One would think that after TEN YEARS of blogging, yep, TEN, that one would know how to correctly load pictures...but one would be wrong! October 2007 was my first post - for those of you who have read every post for the last ten years...I'd like to say Thanks Mom! Mom was and continues to be my inspiration for everything I do and I started this blog as a way of showing her what I'm up to...she continues to be my biggest fan so Happy Blogaversary to us Mom!
iPhone photos...maybe that's why they're crooked?!? I have no idea, nor do I care, because really, any way I post it you can see this is something you need to make, right? There is a lot of goodness in every bite so you really don't have to feel guilty for eating it...and it's not too sticky-chewy so you won't have to worry about dental work falling out...but don't blame me if it does!
Harvest Brittle - Pots and Pins
1 cup almonds
1 cup cashews
1/2 cup peanuts
3/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/3 cup dried apricots
1/3 cup dried cranberries
2 1/2 cups brown sugar (light or dark, or you can use white granulated sugar - your choice)
1/2 cup honey
1 cup water
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
In a large pot (this mixture boils up and increases in size so use a pot larger than you think you would need) combine the sugar, honey, water and salt and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Insert a candy thermometer and continue to cook and stir, occasionally, until the mixture reaches 310 degrees, which will take about 15 to 20 minutes.
While the mixture is cooking, prepare the pan. Place a sheet of parchment paper in a 9 x 13-inch pan and butter the parchment, sides and bottom. Set aside.
After the sugar mixture reaches 310 degrees, turn off the heat and allow to cool to 302 degrees, then immediately stir in the butter, vanilla, the nuts and the dried fruit and mix until everything is thoroughly coated.
