Pistachio Caramels

nobody@vox.com(julie) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:21:44 -0700

Even though my friends have coined me the "slave driver", all the workers at the local Smart & Final recognize me as the girl who buys heavy cream by the gallon and I've developed the tiniest callus on the tip of my thumb, it was all for a good cause. I was thrilled when I was asked to make a charitable contribution to the Sports Spectacular Women's Luncheon gift bags. What an honor to take part in a charity that has been so, so dedicated to raising money for the Cedar-Sinai Medical Genetics Institute. I'm all about helping out and if I can do it in the kitchen, well then, all the better. :)

After lots of recipe testing and way too much taste testing, the clear winner was a chewy caramel dusted with pistachios - Kind of like baklava in candy form. At this point, I have to give a shout out to the Santa Barbara Pistachio Company and their superior pistachios. I used the shelled, roasted, unsalted kind for the caramels. I kid you not, these pistachios are the best I've ever had. Far superior to Trader Joe's stale, muddy brown counterpart. I only wanted to use the best ingredients so it was an easy choice. I also love the pop of the vibrant lime green.

Pistachio Caramels - pour

So the goal was to make 400 packages at three pieces per package. Yup, that's 1200 pieces. Lots of caramel making, so I got a jump start on them mid-week. There I am pouring the umpteenth batch (in my snowflake apron - you caught me).

Pistachio Caramels - wrapping

Making the caramels was the easy part. Wrapping, well now, that's a whole other story. Thank goodness for friends with nimble, origami-skilled fingers (thanks everyone! I owe you a lobster dinner). I had to crack the whip a few times, but it was all for a good cause. Now you see why they started calling me a slave driver. Imagine that. Sweet, innocent, charity giving me, a slave driver? :)

Pistachio Caramels - front

Here's the final product, in all their cuteness. Cards were designed by Webby award winning B and Amanda, who I am forever indebted to (Thanks, B and Amanda for the spot on design).

Pistachio Caramels - pile

What have I gained from this experience?
-Making caramels in 90+ degree weather can be bad news. Have a fan on hand and a towel to cover the window or else it's melt city.
-My friends are even more amazing than I had thought. :)
-Snowflake aprons can be rocked year round!
-I'm a hard caramel kinda girl. B's an ALL caramel kinda guy.
-Giving your time to charity is a good thing. Have you done your part?

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

julie’s blog

Pistachio Caramels