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South Louisiana Pralines

Growing up, I was not a fan of pecans. I think it was the strange astringent sensation you get in your mouth from eating one too many under ripe pecans. Or maybe it was that pecan pie was too sweet.

At any rate, I revisited pecan desserts I few years ago and found that I liked them. In particular, I loved the pralines made at the candy stores in Jefferson, Texas. They often serve two styles of pralines: chewy, carmel-ly Texas style and soft, crumbly Louisiana style.

Recently, I got a hankering for some pralines. I found this interesting recipe in an old cookbook for a Louisiana style praline. It calls for caramelizing sugar at the beginning, which I haven’t seen in most recipes.

This is lightly adapted from Mrs. Myrtle Simms Fun Cooking Guide.

South Louisiana Pralines

2 cups of sugar

2/3 cup of evaporated milk

1 tablespoon of white Karo syrup

1 tablespoon butter

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 ½ cups of toasted pecans.

In a heavy bottom pot, place ¼ cup of sugar. On medium to high heat, let the sugar melt until it turns a deep, golden brown.

Add remaining sugar, butter, syrup, and salt. Stir until the mixture comes to a boil. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture reaches “soft ball stage” or registers 236 to 240 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer.

Add vanilla and pecans. Stir until smooth.

Remove pot from heat. Working quickly, drop the mixture by the tablespoon onto wax paper or a greased surface.

Makes a small batch of 12 pralines.

Houston Farmers Markets

I visited the Bayou City Farmer’s Market last Saturday after a brief hiatus. I just haven’t been in much of a home cooking mood lately.

But, with the change in weather, I couldn’t resist going to the market to see what’s season. Fall is my favorite time to cook. Cabbages, greens, root veggies- I love it! The cold weather brings the best produce for some of my favorite comfort food.

I’ve been frequenting the local farmers markets for a while now. A lot has changed. We have some new venues and some old branches have closed locations.

The following is a list of where to find markets providing local produce and prepared foods. If any information is outdated or incomplete, please let me know in the comments!

If you aren’t in the Houston area, check out localharvest.org for farmers markets in your area.

Urban Harvest Farmers Market

Saturday 8 to 12

at Richmond and Eastside

Sundays 12 to 4 pm

at Discovery Green

Wednesday 10 am to 2 pm

at City Hall

Midtown Farmers Market

Saturday 8 to 12

at T'afia

Rice University Farmers Market

Tuesdays 3:30 to 7 pm

at Rice U's South Stadium Lot

Highland Village Farmers Market

Saturday 9 am to 1 pm

in the Highland Village

Urban Pickins Farmers Market

Sunday 11 am to 3 pm

at Wabash Feed on Washington Ave.

Canino’s Produce

Everyday 6am to 8:30

at 2520 Airline Dr.

Canino’s Produce is a mix of produce grow locally and stuff delivered by truck from all over the US and Mexico. Some local growers are set up behind the main building.