Charred Chicory Cups Walnut Brittle Recipes

CHARRED CHICORY CUPS & WALNUT BRITTLE

Steps:

• Start by making the brittle. Brush the oil over a baking tray, then tip the sugar into a frying pan. Put the pan over a medium-high heat to melt the sugar, swirling the pan occasionally to ensure it melts evenly - but don't stir or it will crystallise. When it starts to look like golden syrup, add the walnuts, caraway seeds and fennel seeds. Stir briefly to coat the walnuts in the molten sugar, then swiftly and very carefully pour it onto the greased tray. Leave to cool for 10 mins, then chop into small pieces.
• In a bowl, beat together the cheeses with a wooden spoon until smooth. Transfer to a disposable piping bag and keep in a cool place until needed.
• Remove the outer leaves from the chicory heads. Carefully pick off the remaining leaves until you have 20-25 nice ones (keep the core to make the syrup, for the Chicory Collins cocktails, if you like).
• Put 6-8 of the chicory leaves, curved-side up, in a large, non-stick frying pan over a high heat. Let them sit for 1-2 mins or until the very edges start to char. Take them out of the pan with tongs and leave to cool on a large platter, curvedside down. Repeat until all the chicory leaves have been toasted.
• Toast the butternut squash, a small handful at a time, in the same non-stick pan. Cook for 2-3 mins or until the squash feels drier and is just starting to turn dark brown at the very edges. Transfer to a plate and repeat until all the butternut squash has been cooked.
• To assemble the canapés, snip the end off the piping bag to create a round nozzle, then pipe a small blob of the cheese mixture into each chicory cup. Add a generous pinch of the butternut squash, and top with one or two pieces of pickled walnut. Pipe another blob of the cheese mixture onto each one, and scatter over the pieces of brittle. Finally, scatter over the green chillies and serve.

CHICORY SALAD WITH WALNUTS AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• In a dry skillet, toast the nuts over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, oil, mustard, salt and pepper, to taste.
• In a large bowl, toss the chicory with the dressing. Put onto serving plates and top with walnuts and shaved Parmesan.

WALNUT BRITTLE

Steps:

• Shake nuts in a sieve to remove nut powder (this will make for a clearer brittle.)
• Line a baking sheet with nonstick pad or with an oiled sheet of foil.
• Heat sugar and water in a deep 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring slowly with a fork, until melted and pale golden. Cook caramel without stirring, gently swirling pan, until golden. Stir in walnuts, then immediately pour caramel onto baking sheet, tilting sheet to spread caramel as thin as possible. Cool brittle completely at room temperature.
• Coarsely chop enough brittle to measure 1/2 cup, then break remainder into shards for decorating cake.

CINNAMON WALNUT BRITTLE

Steps:

• Butter a baking sheet; set aside. In a 2-qt. microwave-safe bowl, combine sugar and corn syrup. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 3 minutes; stir. Cook, uncovered, on high 2-1/2 minutes longer. Stir in the walnuts, butter and cinnamon. , Microwave, uncovered, on high for 2 minutes longer or until mixture turns a light amber color (mixture will be very hot). , Quickly stir in baking soda and vanilla until light and foamy. Immediately pour onto prepared pan; spread with a metal spatula. Cool; break into pieces.

WALNUT BRITTLE

Steps:

• Mix sugar and corn syrup in a microwave-safe dish.
• Microwave mixture for three (3) minutes.
• Stir again and place in the microwave for an additional four (4) minutes.
• Stir in walnuts, salt, vanilla and butter.
• Mix with Electric Mixer until mixture is well blended and Fluffy.
• Grease a cookie sheet with butter.
• Spread mixture on cookie sheet in any desired thickness.
• After candy cools SLIGHTLY stretch the brittle to your desired thickness.
• Cool at least one hour.
• When cooled break into pieces and store in covered (tight) container.

SMOKY WALNUT BRITTLE

Steps:

• Pour walnuts into a skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
• Line a rimmed half-sheet pan with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
• Combine sugar, water, and golden syrup in a nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Do not stir. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pan, and wait for the mixture to reach 275 degrees F (135 degrees C), about 5 minutes.
• Once sugar mixture reaches 275 degrees F (135 degrees C), add toasted walnuts. Stir using a silicone spatula until mixture reaches 300 degrees F (150 degrees C), about 5 minutes more. Stir in butter, baking soda, smokehouse rub, and walnut extract.
• Remove saucepan from heat and carefully pour mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Allow to cool before breaking into smaller pieces, about 30 minutes.