Beas Louisiana Pralines Recipes

MELT IN YOUR MOUTH PRALINES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Spread pecans out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until fragrant. Set aside.
• In a saucepan, stir together the confectioners' sugar, white sugar, buttermilk, heavy cream, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat. When the mixture begins to boil, start stirring gently with a wooden spoon, and continue cooking until the mixture is slightly above the soft ball stage to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
• Remove from heat, and stir in baking soda and vanilla. The mixture will expand some while stirring. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes, then stir in pecans. Keep stirring with a wooden spoon until the mixture loses its gloss. Drop teaspoonfuls of the mixture onto parchment paper that has been coated with butter flavored non-stick spray. Allow to cool completely.

AUTHENTIC LOUISIANA RED BEANS AND RICE

Steps:

• Rinse beans, and then soak in a large pot of water overnight.
• In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, garlic, and celery in olive oil for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Rinse beans, and transfer to a large pot with 6 cups water. Stir cooked vegetables into beans. Season with bay leaves, cayenne pepper, thyme, sage, parsley, and Cajun seasoning. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 2 1/2 hours.
• Stir sausage into beans, and continue to simmer for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the rice. In a saucepan, bring water and rice to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve beans over steamed white rice.

NEW ORLEANS-STYLE PRALINES

Steps:

• Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Have 2 small spoons ready for scooping. Bring the cream, sugar, corn syrup and orange zest to a gentle simmer in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally with a whisk or wooden spoon (do not let the cream mixture boil over). Simmer, stirring, until the mixture is thickened and light brown in color and a candy thermometer registers 240 degrees F (soft-ball stage), 20 to 30 minutes (start by stirring occasionally, then switch to stirring constantly when the mixture starts to stick to the bottom of the pan). Stir in the pecans and salt; the temperature will drop at least 5 degrees F to 10 degrees F.
• Continue to simmer, stirring, until the mixture begins to pull away from the sides of the pan (the thermometer should register 246 degrees F to 247 degrees F). To test for doneness, drop a quarter-size amount onto a prepared baking sheet: The mixture should hold a rounded shape and look dull; if it runs out flat, continue cooking.
• Use the small spoons to spoon about quarter-size mounds of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets. Let sit until cool, set and dry, 30 minutes to 1 hour. If the pralines are still too soft to pick up after a few hours, let them sit in a cool, dry place, uncovered, for 1 or 2 days. Once dry, store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

LOUISIANA PRALINE YAMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Combine yams, sugar, salt, eggs, vanilla, rum (if using), and milk. Whip until smooth. Fold in raisins if using. Spoon mixture into a greased 2 quart casserole.
• Combine brown sugar, pecans, flour and butter. Sprinkle over yam mixture.
• Bake 25-30 minutes or until thoroughly heated through.

LOUISIANA PECAN PRALINES

Steps:

• Place all ingredients, except pecans, in a saucepan with a heavy bottom and cook over medium heat, stirring until it comes to a boil. Then stir occasionally and cook until soft ball forms when a small amount is dropped in cold water. Add pecans; beat well until lukewarm. Drop by spoonfuls over waxed paper.

BEA'S LOUISIANA PRALINES

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a heavy skillet & bring to "soft ball" stage (238-240 degrees), stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat & stir until mixture thickens, becoming cloudy & creamy and the pecans stay suspended in mixture.
• Spoon out onto waxed paper or aluminum foil. Yield: approx 2 doz, depending on size.