Homemade Pecan, Salted Caramel & Chocolate Turtle Puddles | Grown-Up Valentines

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYtTQM6ZKSdUroo1DCHIkhwuHv5stxCGXGTrvMZWd9k8ScmXsiRblRoQNn4qlKWqoRKl1dac0EoudrpMTnhLw8QSNe9_ReY1ghXmERAjw4iBNQCgKxMrn57GHOvBOUZtZS9Ci1L4sEP8/s1600/turtle-puddles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYtTQM6ZKSdUroo1DCHIkhwuHv5stxCGXGTrvMZWd9k8ScmXsiRblRoQNn4qlKWqoRKl1dac0EoudrpMTnhLw8QSNe9_ReY1ghXmERAjw4iBNQCgKxMrn57GHOvBOUZtZS9Ci1L4sEP8/s640/turtle-puddles.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F02%2Fhomemade-pecan-salted-caramel-chocolate.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-kRzZvsIW16I%2FURAJSeK8IVI%2FAAAAAAAAQmg%2FpV6adu0y6Ss%2Fs1600%2Fturtles-tut.jpg&description=Homemade%20Salted%20Caramel%20Turtle%20%22Puddles%22%0A%0APecans%2C%20Caramel%20%26%20Milk%20Chocolate%20-%20Soooo%20easy%20to%20make%21%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F02%2Fhomemade-pecan-salted-caramel-chocolate.html"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are a lot of Valentine's Day treats out there that seem targeted towards kids - they are very cute, very sugary and mostly pink and red heart-shaped.  I wanted to make a treat for Mike and my adult friends that they would <i>love</i>... not just say - oh, how cute.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had flashback to a Christmas gift my parents received a few years ago - soft caramel poured over pecans, topped with chocolate.  After a little online research, I found some similar recipe efforts that looked and sounded simple enough.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Homemade candy always seems like a huge hassle, but... after 30 minutes (I didn't even need to go to the store...) I was gobbling up these heavenly little turtle puddles.   In fact, I had to make a second batch to use for my dinner party because the originals were already gone!  That's when you know it's a keeper...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadHGAq6x1wFHCFvZwV_QoQIVUycVIiyPhoB0M6pPxS3dDnM6MPyN0S74cSWkt81TpeXAqm49SyvWGqGm9XQZATEWe7KIx4YKEkbmJcnTEKVwqWxjLhazICh10rWFdnWSh8HBeAUY-7nk/s1600/IMG_0454.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadHGAq6x1wFHCFvZwV_QoQIVUycVIiyPhoB0M6pPxS3dDnM6MPyN0S74cSWkt81TpeXAqm49SyvWGqGm9XQZATEWe7KIx4YKEkbmJcnTEKVwqWxjLhazICh10rWFdnWSh8HBeAUY-7nk/s400/IMG_0454.JPG" width="400" /></a><i>Salted-Caramel Pecan</i><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Turtle Puddles </span></div><br />3 cups pecans<br />2 sticks of butter<br />1 cup brown sugar<br />1/2 cup light corn syrup<br />1/2 can of sweetened condensed milk<br />1/2 teaspoon of vanilla<br />1 tablespoon of sea salt<br />........<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4 - 4 oz. bars of milk chocolate</div>1 teaspoon of light corn syrup<br />Course Sea Salt <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To make the caramel, melt butter in a medium-sized sauce pan.  Add  brown sugar, light corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk to the pan.  Cook on medium high and stir until it reaches the soft-ball stage (see my note below about using ice water to test it - very easy!).  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Remove from heat and add vanilla and sea salt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the meantime, toast the pecans in a dry saute pan for 1-2 minutes to bring out their best flavor. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Arrange the pecans into groups of three on a greased cookie sheet.  Pour caramel over each cluster.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Melt the chocolate over a double boiler then stir in corn syrup to make it shiny.  Do not over heat the chocolate!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dollop the chocolate onto the top.  Let cool slightly, then sprinkle on sea salt.  Store uncovered.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFIqrwr9uByGwDg86GUm4nuCRIqK_TKZhdW-nByA663Dtj0kCG4fDFzCjF_lljgzrsS2982n0uTkqVVLl7PA4CtQbGCYPzDv5H3xGizY5nMWp3JvrvpuikxKzvXrVuk3Wh0bpICC_7eQ/s1600/IMG_0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFIqrwr9uByGwDg86GUm4nuCRIqK_TKZhdW-nByA663Dtj0kCG4fDFzCjF_lljgzrsS2982n0uTkqVVLl7PA4CtQbGCYPzDv5H3xGizY5nMWp3JvrvpuikxKzvXrVuk3Wh0bpICC_7eQ/s640/IMG_0172.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It starts with making a soft, but set-up-able, caramel using melted butter, brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk and corn syrup.  Of course, I added really good vanilla and sea salt at the end.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is the butter melting. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5_DIei3609MsiW9ZV86HHIq6QJ1brN1XLs2xtv-PU-J37tJi6suo27pAbWnFWWmJhokEEbS3eScvKdla2xZ7_nA1JkoJn1pq55n40H1Kt0jZo_-MJZJSVk4f-hlGAba0yw_wilzsEfc/s1600/IMG_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5_DIei3609MsiW9ZV86HHIq6QJ1brN1XLs2xtv-PU-J37tJi6suo27pAbWnFWWmJhokEEbS3eScvKdla2xZ7_nA1JkoJn1pq55n40H1Kt0jZo_-MJZJSVk4f-hlGAba0yw_wilzsEfc/s640/IMG_0173.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Brown sugar stirred in. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-m_l11zcIAnoiSOoweNIz26xdFqS4kOJuz4ODZYEMxf-BXsdqXSwbDUnGp6RDVzgcq-EtXjTfWZGhR838oTH9L4uYPmpVsvqMNjAmX_DV7bIV_7-0COwsMeCOVY5PzEQpTQIbr610qE/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-m_l11zcIAnoiSOoweNIz26xdFqS4kOJuz4ODZYEMxf-BXsdqXSwbDUnGp6RDVzgcq-EtXjTfWZGhR838oTH9L4uYPmpVsvqMNjAmX_DV7bIV_7-0COwsMeCOVY5PzEQpTQIbr610qE/s640/IMG_0174.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> All of the ingredients are in, now just about 8 minutes of boiling to get to the soft, but set-up-able, non-liquid stage.  The best way to do this is to have a bowl of ice water by the stove, then as it is cooking, drop in a small amount of the caramel into the water.  If it has cooked long enough, the caramel will set up into a soft little ball that you can squish between your fingers.  Don't let it cook too long, or it will harden, like... hard candy, instead of chewy candy.  You want it to be soft enough to pour, but hard enough not to run all over the place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When you reach the right consistency, remove it from the heat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9ViKCMcxDeCneJw5JuHzCKpc4BUV2a04co5n5F2kfM3oAfWMNcsCEIWkzfG2TQAeBigG9nQS947KsiD4mU03IkiGAFNGfcPfagx_kauLaXj5fMy0HEMWVZmlNpbBQIb-Um1bV8UZ0w8/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9ViKCMcxDeCneJw5JuHzCKpc4BUV2a04co5n5F2kfM3oAfWMNcsCEIWkzfG2TQAeBigG9nQS947KsiD4mU03IkiGAFNGfcPfagx_kauLaXj5fMy0HEMWVZmlNpbBQIb-Um1bV8UZ0w8/s640/IMG_0179.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Toast the pecans in a dry skillet for just a minute or two.   </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WIbiwRDTa9udq5WQ5ReMZk7CEChruB2hnfekHyVHsj-i24NPib_aTX8UuPVO-PBa6pfFv3thVkW27GnWHRh33fGQE547FIZ1ZupduV8fAX8W24YUlSTQSGg0sEbN-BI5vc_dqJLzn3A/s1600/IMG_0182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WIbiwRDTa9udq5WQ5ReMZk7CEChruB2hnfekHyVHsj-i24NPib_aTX8UuPVO-PBa6pfFv3thVkW27GnWHRh33fGQE547FIZ1ZupduV8fAX8W24YUlSTQSGg0sEbN-BI5vc_dqJLzn3A/s640/IMG_0182.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pile the pecans in threes on a greased cookie sheet or on a silpat, like this one. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQ7me1aH3FTQ00YisFpyt_2yutz22W8MhNUKjwMne0vepRN-JQqRw1RRbozDE2N39cQlyRjmGTT7kfDDXy7JKn8quB4QM8-GG02oc-pAjYygTxax4JF25GJsWj_n4yqiHxKH7M49SNo0/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQ7me1aH3FTQ00YisFpyt_2yutz22W8MhNUKjwMne0vepRN-JQqRw1RRbozDE2N39cQlyRjmGTT7kfDDXy7JKn8quB4QM8-GG02oc-pAjYygTxax4JF25GJsWj_n4yqiHxKH7M49SNo0/s640/IMG_0184.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pour the caramel sauce into a measuring cup.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7mbD0mzSHPkYhyvu_uxgGy68ceoUZFE5xtCjySpvgThrzd_Rjp-mFppvdGPVeGsPQ0WN3DUk6Uva0zJhak20OBghMGOVfylt6wAn1MYLBYKoMOog-gACLnRSheBs8eMTV4nS1TSuwHY/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7mbD0mzSHPkYhyvu_uxgGy68ceoUZFE5xtCjySpvgThrzd_Rjp-mFppvdGPVeGsPQ0WN3DUk6Uva0zJhak20OBghMGOVfylt6wAn1MYLBYKoMOog-gACLnRSheBs8eMTV4nS1TSuwHY/s640/IMG_0186.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pour caramel over each pecan pile. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwX-alW2C3aEKqCGKX7VnJG6hpAbYEP7ApNP1wfCQJ9D6ObItAJBoLaSy-MzQlxjW5MCSfT8GxM4pRcGSyWvpIdyl-PPu5I7FY6xjPsnJAjo0VZi_CqHFHICsRjfDFKWS3OzKdabKqps/s1600/IMG_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwX-alW2C3aEKqCGKX7VnJG6hpAbYEP7ApNP1wfCQJ9D6ObItAJBoLaSy-MzQlxjW5MCSfT8GxM4pRcGSyWvpIdyl-PPu5I7FY6xjPsnJAjo0VZi_CqHFHICsRjfDFKWS3OzKdabKqps/s640/IMG_0194.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Let it set up slightly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UAoMyWGQ1q9XnWpHNMQ2mIG0Q9aXAqaOqnK6eFly0S_fc_FY-_tsoYz11nVWMLPWNLx2sMe_EjCAkO97vXLQPr1B3ARZZ_xrL-nwg1G0xkF7nv4Lxfax6zGqb5lMdIUn_som3oG2yPU/s1600/IMG_0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UAoMyWGQ1q9XnWpHNMQ2mIG0Q9aXAqaOqnK6eFly0S_fc_FY-_tsoYz11nVWMLPWNLx2sMe_EjCAkO97vXLQPr1B3ARZZ_xrL-nwg1G0xkF7nv4Lxfax6zGqb5lMdIUn_som3oG2yPU/s640/IMG_0198.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Melt the chocolate over a double boiler (glass bowl sitting over a pot of simmering water).  I used milk chocolate because it is my favorite - but you can use dark chocolate if you are one of "those" people.  I have no shame for my milk chocolate love... even if I am not as "sophisticated" as those dark chocolate lovers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVOs7Z8z0pIDwCb_6S0JRd7OD4iR03WCJBJhLax22SALLw2mwzpcJNMkLNtZdy-Zgjhb2xv2dLdYQqYkfMjXHpv8KAHNK41DIzPeFvRU02zVCdSZ71K04rDJmgEU47t-1XUJyaMDdCWw/s1600/IMG_0208.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVOs7Z8z0pIDwCb_6S0JRd7OD4iR03WCJBJhLax22SALLw2mwzpcJNMkLNtZdy-Zgjhb2xv2dLdYQqYkfMjXHpv8KAHNK41DIzPeFvRU02zVCdSZ71K04rDJmgEU47t-1XUJyaMDdCWw/s640/IMG_0208.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Dollop the chocolate with a spoon on top of each caramel.  You don't have to be neat or fancy with it - the more rustic the better!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJuVUSDr08wztFSpK-na4zt_Bxq2CPvkcd_TfUMiawy3wn3Suk5PWISa4uHAraPQ2kqiK-QitSeAFMb6ZwVV5gww0Eqz-1hMLfPvMBCGoHjC0N91BVmcZubnYFT7qoQmjPFccUXV3gdk/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJuVUSDr08wztFSpK-na4zt_Bxq2CPvkcd_TfUMiawy3wn3Suk5PWISa4uHAraPQ2kqiK-QitSeAFMb6ZwVV5gww0Eqz-1hMLfPvMBCGoHjC0N91BVmcZubnYFT7qoQmjPFccUXV3gdk/s640/IMG_0206.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The finishing touch is a sprinkling of sea salt on top... but wait a little bit for the chocolate to cool, or the salt will melt.   As you will see from my first try...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgE2_OfesLuBF8QYUbYFlsX4FYMtCAcG4d0C_2ygBYG5Sez598LXetKyA0INLusax-kp0hKMN6i-h3t-c5rqUNsEBUx9bBLHKGU9891uGpZmVM9II2OBRyUdssPxN8rbMELXHkNHsRfM/s1600/IMG_0207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgE2_OfesLuBF8QYUbYFlsX4FYMtCAcG4d0C_2ygBYG5Sez598LXetKyA0INLusax-kp0hKMN6i-h3t-c5rqUNsEBUx9bBLHKGU9891uGpZmVM9II2OBRyUdssPxN8rbMELXHkNHsRfM/s640/IMG_0207.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">See the salt has started to melt a little - it sill tastes great, but you loose some of the crunch from the salt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBiZB4LRfyN5BaovQ2PBnWVRZ0_UVZs4F57V7m6Zrcjb65eYadbo0VwVYL7lWPklj3f-xedVHbRlU6bl6Tl1lSO6_oQ3SWU3YUWYI6N7PgEm1q1OusiFGAvEZxSPKflWo50kmX_sF6Yc/s1600/IMG_0466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBiZB4LRfyN5BaovQ2PBnWVRZ0_UVZs4F57V7m6Zrcjb65eYadbo0VwVYL7lWPklj3f-xedVHbRlU6bl6Tl1lSO6_oQ3SWU3YUWYI6N7PgEm1q1OusiFGAvEZxSPKflWo50kmX_sF6Yc/s640/IMG_0466.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here the are on a platter - a great grown-up treat.  Oh, they are sooooo good!   </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb70plfnarquld0lHkXta5zbF2EInEol1AkRbeLiJ2vXVftQAozIsnaLtxob1RQdGFPuyL3eEm-9UlDKq773dUsujogwaof84oXuYbfwIbF3oSJM4Lb-sdqooGmpRAVHCBRmvRkd0KqWc/s1600/turtles-tut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb70plfnarquld0lHkXta5zbF2EInEol1AkRbeLiJ2vXVftQAozIsnaLtxob1RQdGFPuyL3eEm-9UlDKq773dUsujogwaof84oXuYbfwIbF3oSJM4Lb-sdqooGmpRAVHCBRmvRkd0KqWc/s1600/turtles-tut.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is the easy-to-pin strip!<br /><br /><a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F02%2Fhomemade-pecan-salted-caramel-chocolate.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-kRzZvsIW16I%2FURAJSeK8IVI%2FAAAAAAAAQmg%2FpV6adu0y6Ss%2Fs1600%2Fturtles-tut.jpg&description=Homemade%20Salted%20Caramel%20Turtle%20%22Puddles%22%0A%0APecans%2C%20Caramel%20%26%20Milk%20Chocolate%20-%20Soooo%20easy%20to%20make%21%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F02%2Fhomemade-pecan-salted-caramel-chocolate.html"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a><script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div>

Homemade Pecan, Salted Caramel & Chocolate Turtle Puddles | Grown-Up Valentines

There are a lot of Valentine's Day treats out there that seem targeted towards kids - they are very cute, very sugary and mostly pink a...

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Please Excuse Me

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6vQtmd8SwEUCDjziwl3wcqHNPQveB46f7lzct4KBiUixOJ8JgLDddi9wdhZEc8B-pICc8BqquT7xqrzyEK2OlHUUFMxlTmBYE-Te8GUtuFmA2U4iePp2qzQJULerApCqnOm3IiF8D60/s1600/IMG_5738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6vQtmd8SwEUCDjziwl3wcqHNPQveB46f7lzct4KBiUixOJ8JgLDddi9wdhZEc8B-pICc8BqquT7xqrzyEK2OlHUUFMxlTmBYE-Te8GUtuFmA2U4iePp2qzQJULerApCqnOm3IiF8D60/s400/IMG_5738.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It got me.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The flu hit on Wednesday.  I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm just starting to feel normal again so please excuse me while I convalesce.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">  Photo from one of the topairy houses at Snug Harbor Farm in Maine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure it's tea tree and it just makes me happy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></div>

Please Excuse Me

It got me.     The flu hit on Wednesday.  I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.   I'm just starting to feel normal again so please excu...

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A Barefoot Contessa Dinner Party | Last Night's Dinner...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeobHyCY8L5AuGxJEMxmfFPK30jK7R48GyqrHHQwDS7Cs0FQ8VwAxZcwigctoDfsLjdFLsoQn7XPTjB2x77htCWNKSNZ_3de-fhUF-lx5noAfRlGgMbEpHYzrOP3AwOXbd0NaLM0lq2o/s1600/foolproof-barefoot-contessa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeobHyCY8L5AuGxJEMxmfFPK30jK7R48GyqrHHQwDS7Cs0FQ8VwAxZcwigctoDfsLjdFLsoQn7XPTjB2x77htCWNKSNZ_3de-fhUF-lx5noAfRlGgMbEpHYzrOP3AwOXbd0NaLM0lq2o/s640/foolproof-barefoot-contessa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyWopQ_PDKBC4j-YvVGr1M9u8pg9zgg11nuEk0oGazeKzxP_QXIKfs6Nes8sXeUiyF5Fjglqge9P6mJoeH37jGjKdWyKhYajwesYuHQN6FB_XrVLylDQZ1zpeNcnznsJpIbfDRIUhQNw/s1600/IMG_0451.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyWopQ_PDKBC4j-YvVGr1M9u8pg9zgg11nuEk0oGazeKzxP_QXIKfs6Nes8sXeUiyF5Fjglqge9P6mJoeH37jGjKdWyKhYajwesYuHQN6FB_XrVLylDQZ1zpeNcnznsJpIbfDRIUhQNw/s320/IMG_0451.jpg" width="237" /></a>I'm still on a high from last night's dinner party - the food was soooo good.  I can say that without seeming full of myself because I didn't cook everything, and I didn't write the recipes.  Even my friends said they were shocked when I asked if they thought it would be fun for everyone to contribute to the dinner - normally I like to make everything so I have complete control over the dinner.  But, it was really fun for everyone to get in on the fun of making their favorite recipe from <i>Foolproof</i>.<br /><br /><i>If you're new to the </i><i>Foolproof party, you can read all about my Barefoot Contessa project, <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-month-of-barefoot-contessa-my-answer.html">here</a>.</i><br /><br />After chatting with my friends about the menu, we made a couple of revisions to <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/01/valentines-day-dinner-party-table.html">the original selections</a> I had posted earlier this week based on their recommendations.  Katie's favorite from the book is the Orange-Braised Carrots and Parsnips, so we decided to add that to the menu.  And, we have a pregnant friend so instead of the Chocolate Cassis Cake I opted<i> </i>to make the Barefoot classic, Chocolate Ganache Cake (from Parties, my all-time favorite Barefoot Contessa book, as I was quoted in <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2009/01/barefoot-contessa-parties-press.html">this article</a>).  I had actually never made the recipe before and I knew it would right up Mike's alley.  <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieR7zYQX3231tTgAA9kLXm2pqDd2f1VivMPUQGc66RiiWIynKHQ6QdjrVqutLT3NhW9Y8nU2D94ECfKMAMvh5q7lDT0z6RSLQY_dBJLx_oY5brJnms3Kti_zFlp5rv03zbkrBKHgjY_NY/s1600/IMG_0527.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieR7zYQX3231tTgAA9kLXm2pqDd2f1VivMPUQGc66RiiWIynKHQ6QdjrVqutLT3NhW9Y8nU2D94ECfKMAMvh5q7lDT0z6RSLQY_dBJLx_oY5brJnms3Kti_zFlp5rv03zbkrBKHgjY_NY/s640/IMG_0527.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Everything was absolutely amazing - and the menu was a great combination.  I highly recommend it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrn2Td-2qICH96Crw5VpSXKB9x5d8XYoPjFVuhAZ-9gh8OOW14j1ANNmJhQblckH3lSVjdWzUFmvEbUzcCnglplS6rRXWQRnaWVW6lVuSYNZn6hPs3N6KkI4JQWNfLTx3iJMghMbRArZo/s1600/IMG_0400_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrn2Td-2qICH96Crw5VpSXKB9x5d8XYoPjFVuhAZ-9gh8OOW14j1ANNmJhQblckH3lSVjdWzUFmvEbUzcCnglplS6rRXWQRnaWVW6lVuSYNZn6hPs3N6KkI4JQWNfLTx3iJMghMbRArZo/s640/IMG_0400_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Read more details on the table setting, <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/01/valentines-day-dinner-party-table.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Our Barefoot Contessa Foolproof Menu :<br /><br />Sidecars (cocktail) <br />Parmesan Crisps<br />Caramelized Bacon<br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/01/slow-roasted-beef-tenderloin-barefoot.html">Slow-Roasted Beef Tenderloin </a>(I can't get enough...)<br />Balsamic-Roased Brussels Sprouts<br />Orange-Braised Carrots and Parsnips<br />Chocolate Ganache Cake with Whipped Cream<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCDHfDAsw4XaYV7CIhxhN6dhuwL0koHXtv3zHx-utmeWBbka16ED81jCcmLnDL7tSxs0VvC-dSvIvOmro1kpM3UgsvfFROXEhM_OLu5dhuDWm_dDnf3tlbafNqtp_xRAI_P36qyviTZE/s1600/IMG_0508.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCDHfDAsw4XaYV7CIhxhN6dhuwL0koHXtv3zHx-utmeWBbka16ED81jCcmLnDL7tSxs0VvC-dSvIvOmro1kpM3UgsvfFROXEhM_OLu5dhuDWm_dDnf3tlbafNqtp_xRAI_P36qyviTZE/s640/IMG_0508.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5B2OzZuLM2NDYi9WTTVXf8mjXb2m9TnmHEP6X4J8qdrGqrZYMKQbuppaj2AqsVuf1NdnthOxjgeD03DkRrOh8LLBT3dkMS57EEj4B7-DrFfXS7YkM4iEhEb_JfYEbOlrLE4RhJrVmoLY/s1600/IMG_0516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5B2OzZuLM2NDYi9WTTVXf8mjXb2m9TnmHEP6X4J8qdrGqrZYMKQbuppaj2AqsVuf1NdnthOxjgeD03DkRrOh8LLBT3dkMS57EEj4B7-DrFfXS7YkM4iEhEb_JfYEbOlrLE4RhJrVmoLY/s320/IMG_0516.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>We started the night with a platter of nibbles that packed a punch, but were light enough not to ruin our appetites, and... cocktails. <br /><br />We are typically such a wine crowd that I was hesitant to serve a cocktail, but it was such a festive addition.  It really started the night off with a more celebratory feel.  I altered Ina's recipe for a classic Sidecar by adding some Blood Orange sparkling European soda.  I loved the bitterness the blood orange added, and it made it a little more special (without cognac, of course) for my pregnant friend.  <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP18GBVX_DLCYt9V3O0QeAv5YTAFaj9Q4nf4i9nyl3OBtCvs8-RrR-J93REaXP1xPegZwbeViB7siwcTGd1ORzOt5zcOOzz0YP2_8NuBRb_mtJ2vNf5xUAEZIIfbI6fOmo7hmIu_frxEg/s1600/IMG_0496.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP18GBVX_DLCYt9V3O0QeAv5YTAFaj9Q4nf4i9nyl3OBtCvs8-RrR-J93REaXP1xPegZwbeViB7siwcTGd1ORzOt5zcOOzz0YP2_8NuBRb_mtJ2vNf5xUAEZIIfbI6fOmo7hmIu_frxEg/s640/IMG_0496.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The Parmesan Crisps were the easiest thing I've ever made - ever.  You literally grate cheese, add seasoning and bake them for 8 minutes.  They are the perfect thing to serve with drinks - crispy, salty and light.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygrj90F_oRqRhhjLI7BNLTCfAbxt4-Mpts1vo-wqI32oaOXQMqU9rYhgYG5mqkYvAB1FjJ-58bNjKlhSDTb4nnH8CPHUBF94y6rwAOwqcObPr_ueVJjUr1T76oozq804hfbI-j83Z-Xs/s1600/IMG_0511.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygrj90F_oRqRhhjLI7BNLTCfAbxt4-Mpts1vo-wqI32oaOXQMqU9rYhgYG5mqkYvAB1FjJ-58bNjKlhSDTb4nnH8CPHUBF94y6rwAOwqcObPr_ueVJjUr1T76oozq804hfbI-j83Z-Xs/s640/IMG_0511.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br />I feel like I don't even need to write anything about this - Caramelized Bacon says it all!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDIhymMX0KUURTESKYV4t883Luszf6qTpcSWITa-Vp9Sop8CvThcuB2rcs1wp12lj0pzuVEHi-uiL4dKT2XJwOwoOE9jmDlCg02jBiIwXGZwi0yIOZor21pPT6Hhw9LsHYJ51WAVEqgA/s1600/IMG_0521.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDIhymMX0KUURTESKYV4t883Luszf6qTpcSWITa-Vp9Sop8CvThcuB2rcs1wp12lj0pzuVEHi-uiL4dKT2XJwOwoOE9jmDlCg02jBiIwXGZwi0yIOZor21pPT6Hhw9LsHYJ51WAVEqgA/s640/IMG_0521.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Katie's Orange-Braised Carrots and Parsnips.  These were out of this world!  They don't taste like typical glazed or roasted carrots - it is almost like they develop a flavor all their own.  I can't wait to make them myself.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIMD0iN4YhaSAgoBeENP13jAc_G9ueNOFtO-cjkMkYbvFUxO45fVDir-NyKyG6hSKu9SQnit2DSKS7_e4tdVY2HHNj2v4UDYYXviJ4X34xBqEld7WHv99G7-4dUh2JA1HO8QnhoqDlt0/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIMD0iN4YhaSAgoBeENP13jAc_G9ueNOFtO-cjkMkYbvFUxO45fVDir-NyKyG6hSKu9SQnit2DSKS7_e4tdVY2HHNj2v4UDYYXviJ4X34xBqEld7WHv99G7-4dUh2JA1HO8QnhoqDlt0/s640/IMG_0526.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Dinner is served - very Ina, serving it all on one platter.  The Slow-Roasted Beef Tenderloin was perfect.  For our 6 guests, I had the butcher cut a 3 pound section from the whole tenderloin.  This is my third time preparing the beef this way - <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/01/slow-roasted-beef-tenderloin-barefoot.html">Christmas, New Years Eve</a> and now this party - each time it is perfect.   <br /><br />Sorry for the blurry pic - my camera was on the wrong setting.  Ugh.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGUNKT50pPxkkm90l02JVA-Ve0bdbpL5JxFCuZQb0JRKrWdLuMbSk4S6zKYtGaY6qFW8VUnEqDqjdfZblEk0yfXKsxwIoPgjr4PKgd_RsjtkEsaOmtOp4k94NGS-jIWEwsFcnUrFW9PU/s1600/IMG_0537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGUNKT50pPxkkm90l02JVA-Ve0bdbpL5JxFCuZQb0JRKrWdLuMbSk4S6zKYtGaY6qFW8VUnEqDqjdfZblEk0yfXKsxwIoPgjr4PKgd_RsjtkEsaOmtOp4k94NGS-jIWEwsFcnUrFW9PU/s640/IMG_0537.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br />The complete plate - all of the vegetables were so nice with the beef.  It was a decadent dinner without being too heavy.  <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGlRR24eYbeTdTHI_WcKooVeOEeGJ-wpYphzZjrpLW9XlGN8eDo6L6CU1_x9cgj5Olr3IGC1zmyyTaB0_WGpSVuvutipfa4-gPHRL5Mk9TpCTSXLc-y6ik2cwn-QGg6QzzsTnEnnwu0c/s1600/IMG_0533.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGlRR24eYbeTdTHI_WcKooVeOEeGJ-wpYphzZjrpLW9XlGN8eDo6L6CU1_x9cgj5Olr3IGC1zmyyTaB0_WGpSVuvutipfa4-gPHRL5Mk9TpCTSXLc-y6ik2cwn-QGg6QzzsTnEnnwu0c/s640/IMG_0533.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Aren't all of the colors so lovely?   <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_sBnYXDOMLnc9vWl8WkqeECEwYSGwIzz8uIjplVDOqTnM9lnBSjEkPKJ70TpmgsnujYYi4kUCgdoSgNFLqiGguQoxuL2VAYId2kQulBuci9J9uKjS35WpCI-xvQhFkdG0TY0N4mS7WY/s1600/IMG_0486.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_sBnYXDOMLnc9vWl8WkqeECEwYSGwIzz8uIjplVDOqTnM9lnBSjEkPKJ70TpmgsnujYYi4kUCgdoSgNFLqiGguQoxuL2VAYId2kQulBuci9J9uKjS35WpCI-xvQhFkdG0TY0N4mS7WY/s640/IMG_0486.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />For dessert, I made Ina's Chocolate Ganache Cake from her book, Parties.  In that book she called this a "foolproof" recipe that was a staple at her store, The Barefoot Contessa.  It was amazing.  It might be my new favorite go-to dessert.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4j_S9wMLdg2fO6PFP-xKRyRBk1xn0b2o7RLjZnLNQdyTb23ghV_TwrfNwWL6a-7nsDa_1j0h6VJkhshYfCrj1cKdkU7mqL6YG4WUcg8p8gktdB6imRGO_OOKudCHjo1k1OKPI79yDgo/s1600/IMG_0492.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4j_S9wMLdg2fO6PFP-xKRyRBk1xn0b2o7RLjZnLNQdyTb23ghV_TwrfNwWL6a-7nsDa_1j0h6VJkhshYfCrj1cKdkU7mqL6YG4WUcg8p8gktdB6imRGO_OOKudCHjo1k1OKPI79yDgo/s640/IMG_0492.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /> Such a fun night with friends!  Thanks, Ina for a fabulous menu!

A Barefoot Contessa Dinner Party | Last Night's Dinner...

I'm still on a high from last night's dinner party - the food was soooo good.  I can say that without seeming full of myself because...

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