Keo Lac Vung Peanut And Sesame Candy Recipes

GAJAK (PEANUT-SESAME BRITTLE)

Steps:

• Grease the back of a sheet pan and a rolling pin with ghee and set aside.
• Heat a wide, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-low heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the ghee, jaggery and 1 tablespoon water and stir well to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the caramel starts to brown and reaches 300 degrees on an instant-read or candy thermometer, about 8 to 10 minutes; you're looking for the "hard crack" stage or the point where a drop of the caramel in cold water hardens into a crunchy toffee. Don't rush this by turning the heat up too high: The caramel will burn in an instant.
• As soon as you reach 300 degrees, remove pan from the heat and quickly fold in the peanuts (and any fine powder from chopping), both types of sesame seeds, the salt and cardamom, if using, and stir until well combined. Immediately turn the mass out onto the back of the sheet pan and roll to an even 1/4-inch thickness, keeping the sides as straight as possible.
• Let set until cool enough to handle but still pliable, about 3 to 4 minutes, and slide onto a cutting board. Cut into 2-by-2-inch pieces. (Alternatively, when fully cool, the brittle can be broken into uneven, rustic chunks.) Let set completely until hard before serving. The flavors start to come together after it's been setting for 30 minutes, but it's best after 45 minutes, or even 1 hour.

SESAME PEANUT CANDY

Steps:

• Combine sugar, vinegar and water in a medium saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring just until sugar dissolves.
• Continue to cook without stirring until mixture boils.
• Allow to boil without stirring until mixture is golden and reaches 300° F on a candy thermometer, about ten minutes.
• While the sugar mixture is boiling, generously butter an 11" x 7" baking pan.
• Sprinkle half the sesame seeds and all of the peanuts evenly onto the pan.
• When the sugar mixture has reached the requisite temperature, carefully (nasty burn if spilled) pour the sugar mixture over the nuts in the baking pan.
• Smooth the surface with the back of a buttered wooden spoon.
• Sprinkle with the remaining sesame seeds and cool slightly.
• While candy is still warm, cut into 2" by 1" pieces and then allow to cool completely in the pan.
• Remove from pan and enjoy!