CHINESE NOUGAT CANDY RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare an 8- x 8-inch baking pan with rice paper or parchment paper sprayed with cooking spray.  2. Spread nuts on baking sheet and toast for about 10 minutes at 350°F.  Set aside to cool. 3. Combine sugar, honey, and water in a small, deep heavy saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Increase heat and boil until thermometer registers 280°F, about 3 to 5 minutes. 4. At the same time, beat egg white and salt in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until soft peaks form. With the mixer running slowly, very carefully stream hot syrup into egg whites. Beat until meringue is thick and has cooled slightly, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the bowl from the mixer and add dried fruit and toasted nuts, or even chocolate chips, to meringue; mix nougat with a rubber spatula to distribute evenly. 5. Place nougat on the prepared pan, spreading in an even layer. Top with second sheet of rice paper or sprayed parchment. Use spatula to press the nougat into an even layer. Let nougat set at room temperature for at least 2 hours, but overnight is best. 6. Cut with a knife and store in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days. Nougat can also be kept in freezer for a month.

Steps:

• Heavily butter a 15x10x1-in. pan; set aside. Heavily butter a large bowl; set aside. In a stand mixer, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup and water. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture cones to a boil, about 10 minutes. (If sugar crystals are present, cover and boil for 1-2 minutes to allow steam to wash crystals down.) Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 238° (soft ball stage), about 6-8 minutes., With mixer running carefully and slowly add hot liquid in a steady stream over egg whites. Beat 10 minutes longer or until mixture holds its shape and is lukewarm. (Mixture will be beginning to lose its gloss.) Transfer to prepared bowl., For almond mixture, in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and corn syrup. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture comes to a boil, about 15 minutes. (If sugar crystals are present, cover and boil for 1-2 minutes to allow steam to wash crystals down.) With a clean spoon, cook and stir over medium-high heat until a candy thermometer reads 275° (soft-crack stage), about 15 minutes longer., Pour over mixture in bowl (do not scrape saucepan). With a large wooden spoon, stir until blended. Combine butter and vanilla; gradually add to almond mixture until blended. Stir in almonds and salt until blended. Transfer to prepared pan. Let stand at room temperature for several hours or until firm. Cut into squares. Wrap in plastic or waxed paper if desired.