Almond Roca problem

Quoted message said:

I tried to make some Almond Roca but instead of going hard
(brittle) it turned out like soft toffee.

Recipe: 2 cups sugar, 1 lb butter, 2 tbsp corn syrup, 1/4
cup water - boil over low heat for around 30 minutes and
pour onto a greased pan.

So do I need more cooking, or more sugar in the recipe.

Thanks Oz

--------------------------------
Did you do the "hard crack" in ice water test? You have to
do this, or use a candy thermometer, or both, to assure the
consistency you want. Better luck next time. Nancree

OzSawdust said:

I tried to make some Almond Roca but instead of going hard
(brittle) it turned out like soft toffee.

Recipe: 2 cups sugar, 1 lb butter, 2 tbsp corn syrup, 1/4
cup water - boil over low heat for around 30 minutes and
pour onto a greased pan.

So do I need more cooking, or more sugar in the recipe.

Usually a toffee is cooked to specific temperature. "30
minutes" is kinda vague.

Almond Roca is a soft toffee though. At least it's not as
hard as say - a heath bar. It's been a while since I had
it though.

-sw

In article <[email hidden]>,

OzSawdust said:

I tried to make some Almond Roca but instead of going hard
(brittle) it turned out like soft toffee.

Recipe: 2 cups sugar, 1 lb butter, 2 tbsp corn syrup, 1/4
cup water - boil over low heat for around 30 minutes and
pour onto a greased pan.

So do I need more cooking, or more sugar in the recipe.

Get a candy thermometer. It's indispensible for candy
making. Yes, the water test works, but a candy thermometer
is FAR easier and more reliable (the syrup doesn't get
hotter while your testing it).

I've had this one for quite a while:
<http://tinyurl.com/2x3z7>

But recently bought this: <http://tinyurl.com/27d8w>

Nothing wrong with the first one, but the digital one is
rather easier to read/use. Something like Almond Roca would
likely be cooked to 290 to 300 degrees F (300 is hard crack,
and most commonly used for toffees, but I have brittle
recipes that go only to 290 and work fine). I'd use a medium
heat, not low, or you'll be there for a long time. Just keep
an eye on it and stir periodically.

Keep in mind that you lower the above temperatures for every
500 feet above sea level.

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In article <[email hidden]>,

Scott said:

the syrup doesn't get hotter while your testing it

I did, of course, mean to type "you're."

Oh, and heat on low until the sugar dissolves.

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In article <[email hidden]>,

Scott said:

Get a candy thermometer. It's indispensible for candy
making. Yes, the water test works, but a candy thermometer
is FAR easier and more reliable (the syrup doesn't get
hotter while your testing it).

I've had this one for quite a while:
<http://tinyurl.com/2x3z7>

But recently bought this: <http://tinyurl.com/27d8w>

Nothing wrong with the first one, but the digital one is
rather easier to read/use.

How long is the probe, Scott? Can't tell by the picture. I'm
kind of partial to my Taylor.
--
-Barb, <www.jamlady.eboard.com> updated 3-13-04.
Rec.food.cooking's Preserved Fruit Administrator (I've got
the button to prove it!) "The only difference between a rut
and a grave is the depth of the hole."

Melba's Jammin said:

In article <heimdall-
[email hidden]>, Scott

Quoted message said:

Get a candy thermometer. It's indispensible for candy
making. Yes, the water test works, but a candy thermometer
is FAR easier and more reliable (the syrup doesn't get
hotter while your testing it).

I've had this one for quite a while:
<http://tinyurl.com/2x3z7>

But recently bought this: <http://tinyurl.com/27d8w>

Nothing wrong with the first one, but the digital one is
rather easier to read/use.

How long is the probe, Scott? Can't tell by the picture.
I'm kind of partial to my Taylor.

How long is the Maverick "probe?" According to the page,
"...the thermometer features a 10-1/2-inch pivoting probe
and a large LCD monitor."

The "probe" is 10 1/2 inches long. That's all you women want
to know about. Oh, and that pivoting part.

<http://tinyurl.com/3ann3>

And here I didn't think you were that kind of girl...

Also says, "when the ideal temperature is reached, the
monitor... flashes." Like most of us, unless there's law
enforcement types hanging around.

"The unit... wipes up clean with a damp cloth." Like
most of us.

"Maverick also includes automatic shut-off and a low-battery
indicator." Like all of us, if you catch my drift.

Pastorio

Melba's Jammin' <[email hidden]> wrote in news:barbschaller-
[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

How long is the probe, Scott? Can't tell by the picture.
I'm kind of partial to my Taylor.

I'm not Scott nor do I play Scott on TV but this should
answer your questions.

tinyurl.comysrw6Open ↗

--
Once during Prohibition I was forced to live for days on
nothing but food and water.
--------
FIELDS, W. C.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Melba's Jammin said:

How long is the probe, Scott? Can't tell by the picture.
I'm kind of partial to my Taylor.

Bob answered this one; I also appended some personal
experience comments to his post.

My Taylor worked well through many a candy and fudge, but:
The degree indicators (in 2-degree increments) are about 1
mm apart; my eyes felt like they were starting to cross as I
waited for the temperature to ever-so-slowly climb from 288
to 290. Also, one time I was bent over level with the
thermometer, waiting for it to hit the goal (I thought I was
a safe distance back away from pot), and a little bubble of
hot syrup flew up and landed about an inch above my eye.

That did it--I got the digital thermometer.

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In article <[email hidden]>,

Bob (this one) said:

The "probe" is 10 1/2 inches long. That's all you women
want to know about. Oh, and that pivoting part.

<http://tinyurl.com/3ann3>

Just a note: as the picture in the above link shows, the
upper portion of the probe has a plastic coating; clicking
on the second picture from the right will show this
better. The *metal* portion of the probe is 8-1/8" long.
Of course, the clip can only be slid to the bottom of the
plastic coated section, so 8-1/8" better represents the
probe's maximum depth. I won't further comment on double
entendres there.

Quoted message said:

Also says, "when the ideal temperature is reached, the
monitor... flashes." Like most of us, unless there's law
enforcement types hanging around.

Note that you cannot set the temperature goal to specific
degrees, but only to stages. That is, if you're cooking to
Soft Crack, the thermometer considers that stage as being
270 to 290 degrees F., so you set it to go off at Soft Crack
stage, not at a specific temperature in that range.

Quoted message said:

"Maverick also includes automatic shut-off and a low-
battery indicator."

The thermometer automatically shuts off after 3.5 minutes if
the temperature reads below 130 degrees F. and no buttons
are pushed. Above that and it reads continuously.

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In article <[email hidden]>, hahabogus

Quoted message said:

Melba's Jammin' <[email hidden]> wrote in news:barbschaller-
[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

How long is the probe, Scott? Can't tell by the picture.
I'm kind of partial to my Taylor.

I'm not Scott nor do I play Scott on TV but this should
answer your questions.

tinyurl.comysrw6Open ↗

Got it, thanks.
--
-Barb, <www.jamlady.eboard.com> updated 3-13-04.
Rec.food.cooking's Preserved Fruit Administrator (I've got
the button to prove it!) "The only difference between a rut
and a grave is the depth of the hole."

In article <[email hidden]>, hahabogus

Quoted message said:

Melba's Jammin' <[email hidden]> wrote in news:barbschaller-
[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

How long is the probe, Scott? Can't tell by the picture.
I'm kind of partial to my Taylor.

I'm not Scott nor do I play Scott on TV but this should
answer your questions.

tinyurl.comysrw6Open ↗

Jeez, I am such a dweeb! I didn't scroll far enough down on
Scott's link to see that more pictures are available. I
blush with embarrassment!
--
-Barb, <www.jamlady.eboard.com> updated 3-13-04.
Rec.food.cooking's Preserved Fruit Administrator (I've got
the button to prove it!) "The only difference between a rut
and a grave is the depth of the hole."

In article <[email hidden]>, "Bob (this one)"

Quoted message said:

Melba's Jammin' wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

How long is the probe, Scott? Can't tell by the picture.
I'm kind of partial to my Taylor.

How long is the Maverick "probe?" According to the page,
"...the thermometer features a 10-1/2-inch pivoting probe
and a large LCD monitor."

The "probe" is 10 1/2 inches long. That's all you women
want to know about. Oh, and that pivoting part.

<http://tinyurl.com/3ann3>

And here I didn't think you were that kind of girl...

Yeah, but you were hoping.

Quoted message said:

Also says, "when the ideal temperature is reached, the
monitor... flashes." Like most of us, unless there's law
enforcement types hanging around.

"The unit... wipes up clean with a damp cloth." Like
most of us.

Quoted message said:

"Maverick also includes automatic shut-off and a low-
battery indicator." Like all of us, if you catch my drift.

Mum's the word.

You're impossible. Tell your wife I said so.

Quoted message said:

Pastorio

--
-Barb, <www.jamlady.eboard.com> updated 3-13-04.
Rec.food.cooking's Preserved Fruit Administrator (I've got
the button to prove it!) "The only difference between a rut
and a grave is the depth of the hole."

Melba's Jammin said:

In article <[email hidden]>, "Bob

(this one) said:

Melba's Jammin' wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

How long is the probe, Scott? Can't tell by the picture.
I'm kind of partial to my Taylor.

How long is the Maverick "probe?" According to the page,
"...the thermometer features a 10-1/2-inch pivoting probe
and a large LCD monitor."

The "probe" is 10 1/2 inches long. That's all you women
want to know about. Oh, and that pivoting part.

<http://tinyurl.com/3ann3>

And here I didn't think you were that kind of girl...

Yeah, but you were hoping.

For years and years...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Also says, "when the ideal temperature is reached, the
monitor... flashes." Like most of us, unless there's law
enforcement types hanging around.

"The unit... wipes up clean with a damp cloth." Like
most of us.

Quoted message said:

"Maverick also includes automatic shut-off and a low-
battery indicator." Like all of us, if you catch my drift.

Mum's the word.

You're impossible. Tell your wife I said so.

Duh. Like she doesn't know. But I forwarded this note to her
and squealed on you. I said you hit me back first. She
doubted me. Said something about your being a nice person.
Go figure.

Pastorio