PEA RIDGE — Divinity

From the kitchen of Dorris Mounce

3 c. sugar

1/2 c. white Karo

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. water

2 egg whites

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 to 3/4 c. chopped pecans

Cook Karo, sugar and water ’til it forms a bubble when blown through a fork. (To boiling point and sugar is dissolved.)

Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. While beating, pour hot syrup slowly into egg whites and beat for about 2 to 3 minutes or until no longer glossy. Add vanilla and reduce mixer to low speed.

Continue beating until mixture holds its shape when dropped from a spoon. Stir in pecans.

With a lightly-buttered spoon, drop onto waxed paper working quickly. Let stand to dry.

Mama’s Divinity From the kitchen of Paula Deen, www.pauladeen.com

2 c. chopped pecans

1 tsp. pure vanilla

3 egg whites

3/4 c. cold water

1 c. white corn syrup

4 c. sugar

In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stir together the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir only until sugar has dissolved. Do not stir after this point. Cook syrup mixture until it reaches 250 degrees on a candy thermometer, bringing it to a hard ball stage.

While the syrup is cooking, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Once the sugar mixture reaches 250 degrees, carefully pour a slow steady stream of syrup into the stiffly beaten egg whites, beating constantly at high speed. Add the vanilla and continue to beat until mixture holds its shape, approximately five minutes. Stir in pecans.

Using two spoons, drop the divinity onto waxed paper, using one spoon to push the candy off the other.

This may take a little practice because the technique is to twirl the pushing spoon, making the candy look like the top of a soft serve ice cream. If the candy becomes too stiff, add a few drops of hot water. You will need to work fast when making this type of candy.

Let sit for 30 minutes and serve.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Be sure to make divinity on a dry day; candy will not harden on a humid day.

Subscribers - The TIMES would like to share your recipes. Recipes may be dropped off at our office at 981 N. Curtis Ave., faxed to 451-9456, mailed to P.O. Box 25, Pea Ridge, AR, 72751 or e-mailed to [email protected].

Community, Pages 4 on 01/06/2010