Salty Caramel and Chocolate Christmas Crackers

Recipe from Dish Magazine (Dec 2010/Jan 2011)

• 100g (3.5 oz) plain salted crackers, such as Salada
• 225g (1 cup) butter
• 150g (3/4 cup) soft brown sugar
• 200g plain dark chocolate, roughly chopped
• 60g (1/2 cup) pistachios, chopped
• 60g (1/2 cup) dried cranberries, chopped

Preheat the oven to 190 degrees celcius.  Line a 22cm x 33cm shallow baking tray with baking paper.  Place the crackers  in the base of the tray without overlapping, so they cover the base, breaking them to fit if required. 

Melt the butter and sugar in a saucepan over a medium heat, stirring well, until it bubbles and is combined.  Remove from the hear and pour immediately over the crackers as evenly as possible.  Place in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until bubbling all over and the caramel is starting to darken.

Remove from the heat and sprinkle the chocolate over evenly, then return to the oven for a further minute or until the chocolate has just melted enough to spread.  Using a spatula or palette knife spread the chocolate evenly so it is smooth on the surface.

Sprinkle over the pistachio nuts and cranberries and leave until the chocolate is just set before cutting into pieces.  The crackers can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Challenge Accepted

I was given the challenge to start a new blog at the end of last year - a food blog.  I can think of numerous excuses as to why it's only just beginning now, in February, but at least it's underway.  Initially I was thinking it'd be about cooking and the meals I make.  But even though I love cooking, I don't make anything too exciting that often, so I decided to broaden my theme...

Having recently moved to Auckland, I think it'll be a fun way to document life in generally.  Yes, the food I cook, but also restaurants or places I eat at, the places I see and visit, experiences I have and things that make me happy or make me laugh.  Basically anything that takes my fancy - related to the theme of cook. eat. live.laugh. Not being a highly decisive person most of the time, this broad spectrum suits me well!

As a related sub-challenge, I might try and make something new, ambitious and creative once a week - food-wise.  I've completed this challenge this week.  Recipe to come, but at work today we had a 'Bake Day'.  I made a Salt Caramel Chocolate Cracker (that may not be the correct name).  I much prefer cooking to baking, but I saw this great recipe in the Dec-Jan Dish magazine and when at a friend's recently someone had made it for her. It turned out alright - a few things could be improved on, but generally it was a hit so blog challenge week one - done.