A Creole Holiday

My mom was born and raised in Opelousas, Louisiana. Both sides of her family have a long and storied history in the state. I spent every single summer there up until my freshman year of college. So Louisiana has a very special place in my heart. We (my immediate family) typically spend a week or so there every Christmas. Of course we have all the creole fixtures for the holidays; gumbo, Etouffee, with plenty of Tony Chachere’s. Side note: it always cracks me up when people say “creole seasoning”. 

Any way, one of my favorite sweets is Pralines. Below is the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup milk
•  2 tablespoons corn syrup
• 4 cups pecan halves

Put all ingredients (except the pecans) in a 3 quart sauce pan; cook for about 20 min, after boiling starts, stir occasionally. Add the pecans and cook the mixture until liquid forms a soft ball when a Little is dropped into cold water. Stir well and then drop spoonfuls on waxed paper.

And enjoy!!!

+Rukiya