Photo Slideshows

Pine Nut Brittle with Rosemary

By francesca gilberti • November 3, 2011 • 0 Comments

Pine Nut Brittle with Rosemary by Ms. T

We love pine nuts and rosemary together (could anything be more evocative of rolling Tuscan hills?), but the idea of combining them in brittle form struck us as groundbreaking. Ms. T has you cloak the pine nuts in a buttery caramel, and while it’s still hot you stir in plenty of chopped rosemary, which then infuses the brittle with its perfume. A shower of crunchy sea salt is the finishing touch. A word of caution: be careful, or you may find yourself demolishing half the batch in one sitting, like we did! – A&M

Photo 1 of 18

Simple elegance: pine nuts, sugar, rosemary, butter, salt.

Photo 2 of 18

For your eyes only: it's caramel, people. Into a copper saucepan goes the sugar, a bit like an avalanche. Or waterfall? We couldn't decide.

Photo 3 of 18

Snow it is -- see the tracks?

Photo 4 of 18

Bring the sugar to a rolling boil ... you're a veritable Willy Wonka!

Photo 5 of 18

En route to caramel. Now that's science for you. Where's Harold Magee when you need him?

Photo 6 of 18

Finally, stage three, is clear and auburn caramel. Should you choose to abandon this project, stop here and dunk an apple.

Photo 7 of 18

It took a forest of pine trees to produce the nuts we needed. Makes pesto look like the peewees, no?

Photo 8 of 18

Why, hello lover. Is there anything about that pot that doesn't make you want to jump for joy?

Photo 9 of 18

And, as a reminder of the pine nuts' woodsy roots, here come the herbs: chopped rosemary. Trust us -- it's key.

Photo 10 of 18

Ms. T uses gray sea salt -- and so did we -- but just add the best version you have on hand.

Photo 11 of 18

This brave brittle's a thing of beauty even before it sets!

Photo 12 of 18

Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Do not forget the parchment paper.

Photo 13 of 18

Using a wooden spatula, we spread the nutty caramel around a parchment lined sheet pan. Doesn't have to be perfect, but it's nice to have an even layer.