Chocolate and other food groups

I have always wanted to make pralines, but I didn't try it myself until I found a super easy recipe in the cookbook, In Julia's Kitchen with Master Chefs . I wish you could taste them! They are so incredibly yummy and so easy to make. The hardest part is waiting for them to cool so you can eat them. Pralines 1 1/2 c. sugar 1/2 c. water 2 c. unsalted nuts, pecans are best! Prepare a pan or work surface before starting. In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Add nuts and return to a boil. Continue boiling, stirring constantly, until the sugar gradually caramelizes. Keep boiling and stirring until sugar becomes a sandy brown caramel and nuts separate. Immediately turn out onto work surface, spread them apart, and let them cool. Supposed to keep for a month in a tightly covered container, but I bet they won't last that long.

These are great for a fast candy/cookie that requires no cooking. Orange Balls 6 oz. crushed vanilla wafers 1 c. pecans, chopped 1 c. orange juice concentrate, thawed 1 lb. powdered sugar Mix all ingredients together. Roll into 1 inch balls. Roll in coconut or ground pecans.

Another recipe from Aunt Elaine. This is a great fudge for beginning cooks because you don't have to heat it at all. White Almond Fudge 3 oz. cream cheese, softened 2 1/2 c. powdered sugar 1/2 tsp. almond flavoring 1/2 c. chopped almonds 1/8 tsp. salt Beat cream cheese until smooth and soft. Slowly add sugar. Beat until smooth. Add flavoring, almonds, and salt. Press mixture into buttered 8 inch square pan. Chill until firm.