Monday, December 7, 2015

A Little Christmas Cheer



I started making Almond Rocha at Christmas time back when I was a new bride some 35 years ago.......  


Pretty soon, I was making it for friends & family, too.  It's a simple recipe, but it takes time.  Over the years I have found that I really like spending that 30 or 40 minutes in the kitchen, stirring the pot and thinking about those that are dear to me.   Even in the busiest of times, back when I had young children to care for; plus a full time job with allot of responsibility; plus running our own family business;  back when it seemed an impossible task to get everything done for the holidays on top of our already crammed schedules;  back then I discovered something important.  I discovered that making Almond Rocha in my little kitchen, all those hours spent standing over the stove stirring that pot of boiling caramel, (usually while the rest of the household and much of the rest of the world had long gone to bed,) created that much-needed quiet time for me ~ a space for me to pause, to reflect upon and appreciate my family-who-are-friends and my friends-who-are-family.  I pour allot of love into each batch!
  

  Over time, I have become famous for this home-made candy.  Truly.  And my Rocha List continues to grow in direct proportion to my adding more special people to my life as the years go by.

So now-a-days, I buy my supplies from Costco.  A twenty-five pound bag of brown sugar.  Four boxes of butter, 4 pounds each.  And two of those gigantic bags of chocolate chips.   Yum!

And then I stir.  And stir.  And stir some more.   


I think one of the secrets to having this turn out (I've had friends try repeatedly, then give up and ask to be back on the "nice" list!), is the candy-making pan you use.   Mine is an old (very old!) iron pot that I got as a cast-off from my Mom, which she got from her mom.  So there's a family heritage thing going on, too, as I stand over the stove and stir.  And stir.  And stir some more.


There are some really funny stories through the years about the creative hiding places for this stuff.  A spouse who thought they didn't get any this year, only to find out his wife got to it first and hid it under the bed.  Or in a suitcase in the closet.  Or in her (locked) desk drawer at the office.   I am entertained by these acts of lying and cheating and stealing and selfishness and hiding on such a holiday as Christmas!   

So today I am sharing my not-so-secret recipe with you.  The recipe itself is quite simple.  The whole trick is pulling it off the stove at exactly the right moment.  Too soon, and the toffee will be sticky, not crunchy.  It will never set up.  More importantly, you won't be able to get it unstuck from your teeth once you take a bite.  But.  If you pull it off too late, (and by this I mean two seconds too late), it will scorch, and the whole batch will taste burnt.  Please don't ask me how I know this. 

So here we go.  Just 4 ingredients.  Well, there's 5, if you count that generous portion of love.


Sherrie's Almond Rocha
Ingredients:
1 pound butter
2 C. light brown sugar
1 C. semisweet chocolate chips (I use extra)
1/2 C. sliced almonds

Directions:
Combine butter and brown sugar in a heavy pot over medium heat.


Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.


  Then stir constantly (important!) until it reaches 
Hard Crack Stage on the candy thermometer.   


It will get really thick and dense.  Trust me, you can't leave it even for a second, you must stir it constantly.


Pour immediately into a sheet pan (I spray it with Pam first)


Top with chocolate chips.  
Once they start to melt, spread the chocolate evenly with a spatula.


Sprinkle with sliced almonds. Pat these gently into the chocolate so they stick well once they're cooled.

Cool overnight.  Then break it up into chunks and box it up in those cute little Christmas tins ~ and then watch where they hide it!

21 comments:

  1. Sher - I can attest yours is absolutely the best. It's so light and crackly. Not like the commercial versions we sometimes buy. Glad Karen shares it with me. We were thrilled to be on your NICE list again. LoL.

    That pot!!! It's seen some kitchen adventures I'd say.

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    1. Isn't that old cast iron pot just a hoot?!? Looks like it's been through the war. But it really does the trick for Rocha. In fact, that's it's exclusive purpose now. The old wooden handle is starting to split, and I'm really worried that it will give way some day with an entire pot of boiling 310 degree caramel at risk (to say nothing of my extremities).
      I'm glad to hear that Karen shares with you, otherwise I'm pretty sure my bloggin' tech-y buddy would deserve his own batch. Oooops! Did my list just get longer???
      I'd like to stay and chat longer, but I have to go stir some Rocha now........

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  2. I love it and I don't share. Shame on me!

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  3. I got my box of love in the mail yesterday!!!! thank you so much my sweet Sherrie. Have a great Christmas love you

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    1. Box of love, indeed, my dear Mary! You are always in my heart ~ it's nice to be able to say so once in awhile........

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  4. Your Almond Rocha is what makes Christmas complete. Perfect in every way!

    Makes the best breakfast, or lunch or dinner, or…

    It satisfies the chocolate crave, the butter crave and I have to ration myself! That pot is amazing!! Love the photo of it setting on your very very very nice stove - classic.

    Those on "your list" are very fortunate. Thank you for sharing and thank you for your blog! Love it!

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    1. I'm not sure what it is, but the Rocha does seem to be magic! Glad you love it, it's nice to do something nice for somebody who's sole purpose in life seems to be doing nice things for others ~

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    2. So sweet of you to say and I think that really it is you that always, always, always does wonderful things for others. You inspire and set the example!

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  5. My mother has the exact same recipe and my daughter now makes it for everyone and your right it take a sturdy old heavy duty pot from family to keep it going....last year my daughter had to make it twice cause 2 seconds too long and it was burned....her office fellows wanted that batch too and they ate it all, so even burnt it is still a wonderful treat...Yummy,yummy,yummy. And made with love is important!

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    1. What a great story! I think it's wonderful that it's a family tradition, how special to be passed down from Gma to Granddaughter. (I guess I should start looking for my replacement sometime soon).

      And I especially love "they ate it all, so even burnt it is still a wonderful treat" comment ~ yup, that's the magic of Rocha!

      Especially when it's made with love.......

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  6. This is a special treat that I literally look forward to ALL year. Getting this gift of my own batch when I was 15 (because my dad wouldn't share much of his), was one of my favorite gifts that year. Being added to Aunt Sherrie's "list" is one of my favorite VIP clubs I've ever been in.very special

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    1. Now see, Michael, this is why I spend all those hours stirring this stuff! It (clearly) keeps a bond with those that I love. I had forgotten about that personalized "gift" all those years back (how long ago were you 15?!?), but it certainly brought a smile to my face and my heart to hear about it now. Enjoy your rocha, and know that you are loved. Have a blessed Christmas!

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  7. Great blog and thanks for sharing all the wonderful recipes!

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    1. Thanks, and that's what I love about having a blog ~ it's a great place to share ~

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  8. I'm looking forward to seeing that ups man I know I'm on the nice list & I've been good & Sherrie loves me!!! I love this woman to the moon & back

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    1. You are so sweet, Miss Mary. You know the feeling is entirely mutual. No one would believe that you're on any list but the "nice" list, my dear. And Sherrie loves you very much. Hence the rocha.......Your's is coming this week ~

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  9. I received my rocha and it is delicious, Sherrie! Thank you so much for keeping me on your list! I can tell it was made with love. I may even share some with my parents! ;)

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    1. Could never forget my favorite Gina......Remember, sharing is good Karma!

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  10. I am so excited! I came home from a long long trip out of town and arrive home to such a great present! Thank you Sherrie! I am going to enjoy it all - maybe I'll share a little. Thank you so much Jeff Pogue

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    1. So glad to hear you are excited about it. Remember, sharing is good Karma!

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