Spicy and Salty Peanut Brittle | Secret Recipe Club

I know I say this all the time …… time just flies way too fast.  The weekends go by way too fast and then the work week, depending on my schedule seems to whisk on by.  I just said to my hubby the other day, we are going to be pulling out the Christmas decorations before you know it.  At the end of the day, I have learned to savor each and everyday and appreciate each day for what it is.  I have learned that life is a gift and you need to make the most of it.

It is time again for Secret Recipe Club where you are assigned another blog from the group and need to search to find that perfect recipe to make.  Then comes the big reveal day and you get to see who had your blog and what they chose.  Quite frankly, that is my favorite part.  Sometimes it is a recipe that I have long forgotten about and it simply puts a smile on my face.

This month I have the pleasure of being assigned Steak and Potatoes Kind a Gurl. Desiree is a girl who was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and is currently earning her Masters degree in community counseling from Xavier University.  You go girl!  She is engaged to her fiancée PJ and were high school sweethearts – that is just darling. They are home owners who love to cook and love to eat out at restaurants. She includes many tasty recipes along with restaurant reviews on her site.  She has a long list of “likes” and “dislikes” on her about page.  I have to say I too like – reality TV, books, cookbooks, blogging and bacon.  I can identify with several of her dislikes but I actually like my dentist, cleaning, being on time and don’t mind public speaking. As for the others, I agree 100%.

After clicking through her blog for a while I found myself craving something sweet and kept coming back to a simple candy – peanut brittle.  I thought I would kick it up by adding cayenne pepper, grey salt and vanilla to the mixture.  Oh and I added a touch of salt on top of the brittle before it completely cooled.  It was a sweet and salty delight.  Thank you Desiree!

Spicy and Salty Peanut Brittle

1 Cup Light Corn Starch

1 Cup Sugar

2 Cups Peanuts

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 large pinch Cayanne Pepper

1 teaspoon Grey Salt

Regular Salt for sprinkling

In a medium pan, add the corn starch and sugar and cook over medium high heat.  Stir to combine. Add vanilla, grey salt and cayanne pepper and stir.  Stir in the peanuts and increase to high heat and bring to a boil, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Once the candy thermometer reaches 295 degrees and the mixture is golden brown, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Remove from heat.  Quickly pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet with a silpat and spread evenly.  Set aside to cool and harden. Break apart into pieces and store in an airtight container.

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