Fragrant Indian Brittle Recipes

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 300°F. Lightly oil 2 (16- by 12-inch) sheets of parchment paper with vegetable oil and put 1 sheet, oiled side up, on a heatproof work surface.
• Crush cardamom pods with side of a large heavy knife and scrape out seeds, discarding pods. Coarsely crush seeds with mortar and pestle or side of heavy knife.
• Bring sugar, honey, corn syrup, water, crushed cardamom seeds, and salt to a boil in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, then boil, stirring occasionally, until mixture registers 350°F on thermometer, about 9 minutes.
• Add nuts and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until mixture returns to a boil, about 1 minute. Carefully pour hot caramel mixture onto parchment on work surface (use caution when pouring hot liquids) and carefully cover with remaining sheet of parchment, oiled side down. Immediately roll out mixture between parchment sheets, pressing firmly with a large wooden rolling pin to 1/4 inch thick (use caution; mixture will still be hot). If brittle hardens before it is thin enough, transfer to a large baking sheet (still between parchment sheets) and warm brittle in oven 5 minutes to soften, then continue rolling to 1/4 inch thick.
• Cool brittle until firm enough to hold its shape but still pliable, 2 to 5 minutes, then remove top sheet of parchment. Lightly oil blade of a large heavy knife or a pizza cutter and score surface of brittle into 1 1/2-inch squares. If brittle hardens too much to score, transfer to a large baking sheet and warm on parchment, uncovered, until surface softens, about 5 minutes, then immediately score remaining lines. Cool brittle completely, uncovered, about 30 minutes. Invert brittle and peel off bottom sheet of parchment, then break into pieces.
• Brittle keeps in an airtight container, layered between sheets of parchment or wax paper, at room temperature 1 month.

Steps:

• Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; lightly coat with nonstick spray. Dissolve saffron in rose water in a small bowl.
• Bring sugar, corn syrup, honey, and 2 Tbsp. water to a boil in a medium saucepan fitted with candy thermometer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Cook, swirling occasionally (do not stir once sugar is dissolved), until thermometer registers 290°F, about 5 minutes. Mix in almonds, butter, and kosher salt and cook, stirring often, until almonds are golden, butter is absorbed, and thermometer registers 300°F, about 2 minutes. Vigorously mix in baking soda, then rose water mixture (caramel will bubble at first but then look smooth and creamy). Immediately pour onto prepared baking sheet and spread out as thin as possible. Sprinkle pistachios, rose petals, and sea salt over brittle. Let cool, then break into bite-size pieces.
• Do Ahead
• Brittle can be made 1 week ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

Steps:

• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir brown sugar in hot butter until dissolved. Add cinnamon and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Stir vanilla into brown sugar mixture; cook and stir until vanilla stops sizzling, about 30 seconds. Add pecans; cook and stir until pecans are fragrant and lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Pour pecan mixture out in a layer on parchment paper. Let cool to room temperature before breaking into pieces, about 20 minutes.

Steps:

• Heat oven broiler and cover broiler pan with aluminum foil.
• Arrange eggplant slices on broiler pan and brush lightly on both sides with oil. Broil eggplant as close to heat as possible, watching that the slices do not burn. When one side is brown, turn and brown on second side. Total broiling time about 15 minutes.
• Cut the potato slices into quarters and saute in 2 tablespoons of oil until slices begin to brown and soften. Remove and set slices aside. In same skillet pour remaining oil and saute onion and garlic in oil for a minute or two. Add cumin and bay leaf and mix well; continue to saute until onions soften and take on color.
• Add cauliflower, ginger and tomatoes, breaking up tomatoes with hands before adding them to pan. Cover and cook about 5 minutes, until cauliflower is done.
• When eggplant is cool enough to be handled, trim off skin, cut into large chunks and add to skillet to heat through.
• Serve with cilantro and yogurt.