I’m always late to the holiday game on the blog. While others have been posting pumpkin recipes since August and give you recipes for a dozen ways with turkey I’m still putting the finishing touches on the menu for our actual Thanksgiving. Yes, like tomorrow.

I can now say that this Turkey Roulade is happening again. Along with the Pumpkin and White Bean Gratin (you can find the recipe here) and the Winter White Salad from my book (don’t forget about the pre-order bonus). The salad is a fresh mix of raw apple, leeks, fennel, and celeriac and then is topped with pomegranate, olive oil and lemon juice. It is the sort of thing needed when the rest of the table is covered with cream and cheese (not that I have a problem with that).

Luckily, however, there is still time for these peanuts because every big meal needs a little something to start it off. These little somethings are addictingly sweet and with enough spice that it fills your mouth with a soft warmth that builds over time. The heat comes from Tabasco so there is a subtle vinegar bite as well. Fresh thyme reinforces their savory side just until the warmth of freshly grated nutmeg urges them back to the sweet side.

While I may not be here in time to tell you all about impossibly smooth mashed potatoes, or gush about my cranberry relish, I do think I’m just in time for these peanuts to grace your holiday table. Or maybe I’m in time for next year. Oh well, Happy Thanksgiving!

*This post was sponsored by TABASCO but these peanuts are all mine.

Sweet & Spicy Peanuts

Makes 2 cups

4 tablespoons butter

1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed

1 1/2 tablespoons tabasco

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh nutmeg

2 cups raw peanuts

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper then set aside.

Combine the butter, sugar, tabasco, thyme, salt, and nutmeg in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil stirring well. Boil for 3 to 4 minutes or until the mixture is slightly thickened.

Turn off the heat and stir in the peanuts until evenly coated.

Pour the peanuts on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes (watch closely), until fragrant and golden. Let cool on the tray.

Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

Homemade Snickers

It’s a multi-step process but completely worth it. In it you’ll master both nougat and caramel and be left with dozens of little peanut-laden candy bars. If you choose to share this bounty you’ll be met with high praise and life-long admiration for your efforts.

makes 3 dozen (depending on desired finished size)

For the peanut nougat:

3/4 cup / 160 g sugar

1/4 cup / 75 g light corn syrup

2 tablespoons / 40 g honey

1/4 cup / water

1 large egg white

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup / 130 g smooth peanut butter

Caramel

8 oz/ 1 cup / 228 g sugar

6 oz/ 1/2 cup / 170 g Lyle’s Golden Syrup

1/4 cup water

6 oz/ 3/4 cup / 170 g heavy cream

2 oz/ 4 tablespoons / 57 g butter, soft

1/2 vanilla bean, seeds removed

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

2 cups roasted and salted peanuts

1 1/2 pounds milk chocolate

1 tablespoon oil

peanut nougat:

Butter a 9x13 inch baking pan then line it with parchment paper so that a few inches are left hanging over the side. Set aside.

In a saucepan combine the sugar, corn syrup, honey and water. Stir gently then wash down the sides of the pan with water. Cover the pot with a lid and set over medium high heat. Remove the lid after 5 minutes then continue to cook until the sugar reaches 275 degrees F.

While the sugar syrup is boiling place the egg white in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Start the machine on low, add the salt and beat until frothy. Increase the speed to medium and beat until stiff peaks form.

Drizzle in the hot syrup down the side of the stand mixer while it is running. Try to avoid pouring the syrup over the whisk so the hot syrup doesn’t splatter. Continue to beat the nougat until it cools slightly and starts to pulls away from the sides of the bowl. This entire process should take 3-4 minutes.

Butter a spatula then stir in the the creamy peanut butter until well mixed. Add the nougat to the prepared, spreading evenly with the buttered spatula.

Set aside and let stand while you prepare the caramel.

caramel:

Combine the sugar, golden syrup and water in a large saucepan. Stir gently to combine then wash off the sides of the pan using water and your clean hands to feel if any sugar remains on the side. If stray bits of sugar fall into the caramel it can cause the caramel to crystallize so it’s important to make sure all the sugar is in the bottom of the pan mixed with the water.

Place the lid on the pan and put over high heat. Having the lid on during the first few minutes of boiling creates condensation that further helps to wash away any sugar that may be left on the sides of the pan. After 5 minutes remove the lid and let the caramel continue to boil until it reaches 300 degrees F. If some of the caramel starts to color you can gently swirl the pot to combine.

Add the cream, butter and vanilla seeds once it has reached 300 degrees F and then continue to cook until the caramel reaches 248 degrees F. Remove from the heat and stir in the peanuts. Pour the caramel over the nougat. Let sit at room temperature for 40 minutes then refrigerated until completely firm, about 30 minutes.

optional: add some flake salt to the caramel layer before covering them in chocolate.

Melt the chocolate in the microwave or using a bain marie on the stove. Stir in the oil.

Cut the candy bar into 1 inch squares and dip into the melted chocolate.

Set aside on a sheet tray lined with parchment. Place the candy bars in the refrigerator to set up.

These candy bars will keep for three weeks in the refrigerator or two months in the freezer.

*There have been a number of people having a hard time with the consistency of the caramel. You really need an accurate thermometer for this. The ChefAlarm from Thermoworks is my current favorite. It's fast, easy to read, works for both candy and meat and clips onto the pan so you don't have to burn your hand while holding it in the pot.