MEXICAN STRAW CANDY RECIPES

Steps:

• Bring tamarind pulp, water, and orange to a boil in a pot; continue to boil for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 30 minutes.
• Pour tamarind mixture into a colander placed over a large bowl. Mash and scrape against the side of the colander until all the juice and pulp drips into the bowl. Dump remaining seeds into a strainer and repeat the process; remove the outer casing around the seeds by hand and toss out the seeds.
• Blend outer casings with juicy pulp in an electric blender.
• Return mixture to the large pot and add sugar, Tajin®, and butter. Bring to a soft boil, stirring constantly. Heat to 240 degrees F (115 degrees C) or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from water and placed on a flat surface.
• Remove from heat and let cool, about 2 hours.
• Fill a pastry or plastic sandwich bag with the candy mixture and squeeze onto plastic spoons. Place plastic spoons onto a cookie sheet and chill until firm, about 1 hour. Coat with more Tajin® if desired, wrap with plastic, and close with a twist tie.

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, mix together the brown sugar, 1/2 cup white sugar, evaporated milk and the Karo syrup.
• Bring to a rolling boil, slowly stir in remaining 1/2 cup of white sugar while keeping the mixture boiling; cook to soft ball stage.
• Add the butter and pecans, remove from heat and beat with a spoon until mixture holds its shape.
• Pour onto waxed paper in 2 to 3 inch rounds, allow to cool completely, wrap individual pralines in plastic wrap and store in a cool dry place until eaten.