Honey Peanut Brittle (Refined Sugar-free,Corn-free), Recap of last month

My newest baby . . . this time it's a heifer (girl) calf,
so she'll probably be around for longer than the bull calves we've had :).

Wow. A whole lot has happened in the last month. It went by fast, but at the same time it seemed like awhile. Did that make sense? :).

On the florida beach.

Last month my 4 oldest siblings and my dad ("Abba"), along with some friends and family went to Florida for the Republican National Convention. Since I'm not going into that right now on this blog, you can read their stories on their blogs, if you want, here and here. They were gone awhile, about 2 weeks, and the rest of us stayed to hold down the fort.

A young nubian buck.

It's breeding season right now in goat land, so we're making for a crazy January/February for ourselves next year . . . we have 1 to 3 does due almost everyday for 2 weeks. We better stock up on sleep, 'cause when kids (baby goats) are born, we make them bottle babies, and feed them every 4 to 6 hours for the first day or so.

Speaking of babies . . . that donkey is sure looking big and low. My sister and I were observing her this morning. Baby donkeys are so cute! Just wait a few days . . .

Running a ranch involves work, but it is exciting, educational and fun at the same time.

A guinea chick in the refreshed grass (we got some rain!).

Well, onto the peanut brittle. My big brother is the one who is grain and sugar-free, he is on the GAPS diet - but a little modified. Second-youngest bro is a "filth-bomber", if we let him. (Don't know what a "filth-bomber" is? Well, someone who will eat tons of gluten or "junk" food. It's a saying around this house  - "oh, so-and-so is filth-bombin' it today".)

Big bro doesn't get treats very often. He doesn't demand anything of me. It kinda goes like this:

Brother: "oooohhh . . . can I eat that?"
Me: "No. Do you want me to make you something?"
Him: "That's okay, you don't have to"
Me: "You want peanut butter cookies or peanut brittle?"
Him: "Oh, anything, I don't care"

So, I had honey, peanuts and peanut butter. I decided to make peanut brittle (that used to be one of his favs).

I measured some honey, added some sea salt and peanuts, brought it to a boil. I cold-water tested, while trying to keep it from overflowing out of the pot, just barely too small. Added some home-slaughtered, home-rendered lard in there somewhere. I took it from heat, added baking soda. I stirred, watching it foam up, while pouring onto the cookie sheet.

That's how my candy adventures have gone the last few times. A cup of this, some of that, using what I've learned have from experiments and reading recipes.  That was very similar to how I made up a recipe for "Butterfingers" recently.

But, for the sake of measurements and clarity . . .

Honey Peanut Brittle (Refined Sugar-free, Corn-free, Soy-free, Dairy-free, Grain-free, etc.)
Created by Hanunyah Fish

1 cup honey
sea salt (optional)
1 cup raw or roasted peanuts*
2 tablespoons lard
1 teaspoon baking soda

1. Bring the honey and salt, if desired, to a boil over medium-hight heat. If using raw peanuts, add them here.

2. Continue to cook, on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the hard crack stage, 300 degrees F. (I recommend using a candy thermometer).

3. Remove from heat. If using roasted peanuts, add them here. Add the lard and baking soda, and quickly stir to combine. Pour onto a cookie sheet and let cool.

Notes:
*If using raw peanuts, add them when the honey comes to a boil. If using roasted peanuts, add them at the end with the lard. Also, if using roasted peanuts, be sure to check the label - some of them have corn and other additives.
Some homemade vanilla would be a wonderful addition (add it at the end with the lard).

Oh! and I did not get a picture of these. . . sorry.

~ Hanunyah

Linked to:
Take-A-Look Tuesday
@ Sugar Bee Crafts

Unwasted Homemaking
@ Don't Waste your Homemaking

Friday Favorites @ Simply Sweet Home