In which I reveal a failing.

I’m not fond of my failings. Not at all. I seem to have more than my own fair share, and as long as Obama wants to “share the wealth” I’d gladly, most gladly share some of my failings.

But I digress.

I’ve never been overly fond of the kitchen or things that ones does in the kitchen. I remember thinking, and probably telling my mother, “I don’t want to learn to cook. I don’t need to learn to cook. That is why we have restaurants. If we all cooked and ate at home, who would support these people?”

When I got married almost 19 years ago, I could make macaroni and cheese from a box, spaghetti with canned sauce. Yes, that is about the extent of my kitchen abilities. I know I had learned to make more dishes, but sadly it was all forgotten in my desire to feed the restaurant industry. Haha, pun completely unintended.

I’ve changed a lot over the years. And while I still don’t overly enjoy cooking or baking, I do  more of it. Lots more of it. Still for the first time in my life, (I think!) I tried my hand at some Christmas candy.

My father in law dearly loves peanut brittle. His love goes deep. His church has an annual Fall event in which people make or donate items to be auctioned off. The church gets the proceeds. I believe this year my father-in-law, lover of all things peanut brittle, spent a small fortune (seriously people, my first car costs far less) on one small tin of peanut brittle.

I can always use brownie points in my hunt for the coveted “favorite daughter-in-law” (a contest I just right now made up on the spot), this year I determined I would make him some.

I searched for recipes. I found one in my The Joy Of Cooking by Irma Rombauer. But honestly it scared me a little when it said I had to wear white cotton gloves.  And I had to use a candy thermometer, which I don’t have.

I searched some more. I finally found one that did not require a thermometer because it didn’t require a certain temperature. Why you ask?

Because you make it in the microwave.

Yes, I stooped that low.

The first batch turned out on the smallish side, I thought. So I determined to make anothe batch on the double and double it. I wasn’t sure I had followed the recipe correctly, so this time I stirred the corn syrup (yes, I bought some. Just for this.) and sugar. Then I stirred in the peanuts. Then the vanilla and butter. Then the baking soda.

This batch was different. I don’t know if I shouldn’t have double it, or if I shouldn’t have stirred it like I did.  But I did make some very tasty….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peanut Brittle Taffy.

Sigh.