A Praline pronounced PRAW-leen or PRAY-leen depending on your region, can refer to confections made from nuts and sugar syrup, whether in whole pieces or a ground powder. These delightful confections were originally inspired by Frenchmen Marshal du Plessis-Praslin in 17th Century France and were made with individually coated whole almonds in caramelized sugar.
Upon their arrival to Louisiana, French Settlers altered their recipe due to the lack of almonds and the abundance of pecans and sugar cane. New Orleans chefs soon substituted the almonds for pecans and added cream to thicken the confection thus becoming the American Southern Praline.
Pralines recipes can vary from family to family and region to region. Some Pralines have a creamy fudge-like consistency while others are nice and crisp. The confections are made by combining and stirring constantly sugar (white or brown), butter, evaporated or condensed milk, chopped nuts, vanilla and corn syrup in a thick bottomed pot until the the confections have thickened and reached a nice brown consistency. The Pralines are allowed to cool off and then are dropped by the spoonful onto buttered parchment paper or marble slab. After the confections cool off, the Pralines are usually enjoyed with a nice cup of strong coffee.
Upon their arrival to Louisiana, French Settlers altered their recipe due to the lack of almonds and the abundance of pecans and sugar cane. New Orleans chefs soon substituted the almonds for pecans and added cream to thicken the confection thus becoming the American Southern Praline.
Pralines recipes can vary from family to family and region to region. Some Pralines have a creamy fudge-like consistency while others are nice and crisp. The confections are made by combining and stirring constantly sugar (white or brown), butter, evaporated or condensed milk, chopped nuts, vanilla and corn syrup in a thick bottomed pot until the the confections have thickened and reached a nice brown consistency. The Pralines are allowed to cool off and then are dropped by the spoonful onto buttered parchment paper or marble slab. After the confections cool off, the Pralines are usually enjoyed with a nice cup of strong coffee.