Kenneth Karams Guacamole Recipes

GOLDEN CARAMELS

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.

THE BEST GUACAMOLE

Steps:

• Put the diced onion into a small strainer and rinse under cold running water. Transfer to a small bowl and cover with 1 cup cold water. Stir in the vinegar and let sit for 10 minutes.
• Slice the avocados in half, remove the pits and scoop the flesh into a medium bowl. Pour the lime juice over the avocado. Using a fork or potato masher, mash the avocado until creamy with some chunks remaining. Drain the onions well and add to the bowl, along with the jalapeno, garlic, salt and cilantro. Stir to combine.
• Serve immediately with tortilla chips. Or press a piece of plastic wrap directly against the surface of the guacamole to prevent discoloration and refrigerate until ready to serve.

KENNETH KARAM'S GUACAMOLE

Steps:

• Peel and mash the avocados by hand with a potato masher. If you use a blender or food processor, it gets too creamy. Hand dice the tomato and add it to the avocados. Save the tomato juice and use it to thin the guacamole slightly. Add salt to taste.

CLASSIC GUACAMOLE

Steps:

• Cut around each avocado lengthwise, then twist the two halves apart. Remove the pit and scoop the avocado flesh into a bowl. Mash the avocados (preferably with an old-fashioned potato masher) into a coarse purée. Season the purée with salt, about 1 teaspoon. Mince the clove of garlic. Sprinkle the minced garlic with a little salt, and mash with the side of your knife into coarse paste.
• Fold in the lime juice and chopped cilantro.
• Mince the green chile and add the desired amount to the bowl. Chop the tomato and add to the bowl. Mince the onion (you should have about a third of a cup) and rinse under cold running water in a small mesh strainer. Shake off the excess water, and mix into the avocado.
• If you aren't serving the guacamole immediately, cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface of the guacamole and refrigerate. For best results, make the guacamole within 2 hours of serving and serve in batches.

HOMEMADE GUACAMOLE

Steps:

• Mash avocados with garlic and salt. Stir in remaining ingredients, adding tomatoes and mayonnaise if desired.

GOLDEN CARAMELS

Steps:

• Spray an 11 3/4-by-16 1/2-inch baking pan (this is a half-sheet pan) with vegetable-oil spray. Set aside in a spot where it will not be moved. In a 2-quart saucepan, combine cream and sweetened condensed milk; set aside.
• In a heavy 6- to 8-quart saucepan, combine corn syrup, 1 cup water, sugar, and salt. Clip on candy thermometer. Over high heat, cook until sugar is dissolved, stirring with a wooden spoon, 8 to 12 minutes. Brush down sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped in water to remove any sugar crystals.
• Stop stirring, reduce heat to medium, and bring to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until temperature reaches 250 degrees (hard-ball stage), 45 to 60 minutes. Meanwhile, cook cream mixture over low heat until it is just warm. Do not boil. When sugar reaches 250 degrees. slowly stir in butter and warmed cream mixture, keeping mixture boiling at all times. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until thermometer reaches 244 degrees (firm-ball stage), 55 to 75 minutes. Stir in vanilla. Immediately pour into prepared pan without scraping pot. Let stand uncovered at room temperature for 24 hours without moving.
• To cut, spray a large cutting board generously with vegetable-oil spray. Unmold caramel from pan onto sprayed surface. Cut into 1-by-1 1/4-inch pieces, or other shapes. Wrap each in cellophane or waxed paper.