Brittle

Use any combination of nuts you like, or just one kind. If using shelled pistachios, rub them between your palms to remove their skins.

Makes 1 1/2 pounds.

Nonstick cooking spray

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter

1 1/2 cups mixed nuts, such as pecan halves, cashews, pistachios, coarsely chopped if large

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Spray a rimmed baking sheet and a wide metal spatula with cooking spray; set aside. In a 2-quart glass measuring cup, combine sugar, corn syrup, and salt, stirring until sugar is moistened. Microwave on high for 4 minutes. Stir in butter and nuts; return to microwave for about 5 minutes, until the sugar mixture is thick, bubbly, and very pale brown in color. Mixture is very hot; use handle when holding and pouring. Remove from microwave, stir in vanilla and baking soda (mixture may foam up). Immediately pour onto prepared baking sheet, spreading mixture as thinly as possible with the prepared spatula. Let stand 20 minutes until hardened, then lift off sheet, and break brittle into bite-size pieces.

I got this recipe from Gary's daughter, I believe she got it off the Internet or some place like that...maybe even a cookbook. I don't know where it came from, BUT I do know it is simple and good! You may have to adjust the microwave time for cooking depending on the power of your microwave. The color of the sugar/nut mixture should be pale or caramel to medium brown for best results, otherwise you run the chance of having chewy brittle which means your sugar did not reach the hard-crack or candy stage. ENJOY!

See ya when I see ya

Peace! Mattie