SALTED PEANUTS PEANUT BRITTLE

Salted Peanuts Peanut Brittle

1/2 pound salted peanuts
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons water
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups light corn syrup
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons butter or margarine

Put peanuts through a food chopper using medium blade. Set peanuts aside.

Combine baking soda, vanilla extract and the 2 teaspoons water in a bowl and set aside for later use.

Combine sugar, syrup, salt and the 1/4 cup water in a medium heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over moderate heat and cook, stirring occasionally until 270 degrees F (hard ball).

Add butter and continue to cook until 300 degrees F (hard crack), stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add baking soda and vanilla extract mixture. Quickly stir into nuts. Stir about a half minute. Scrape out on a well greased enamel table top or a very large metal tray. Spread to 1/2 inch thickness with a greased spatula. As soon as edges cool slightly, carefully pull out as thin as possible, 1/8 inch thick or less, When cool, break into pieces.

Makes about 2 pounds.