Caramelized Pistachio Clusters

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 300°F.
2. 2
   Pour boiling water to cover pistachios and let stand 1 minute and then drain.
3. 3
   Turn nuts onto dish towel and rub off skins.
4. 4
   Dry nuts on a cookie sheet in a 300F oven for 15 minutes.
5. 5
   Cool thoroughly.
6. 6
   In medium saucepan combine nuts, sugar and butter and heat over moderate heat until the sugar begins to melt.
7. 7
   Cook stirring constantly until sugar is light brown caramel color then remove from the heat and stir in vanilla.
8. 8
   Working quickly with 2 teaspoons drop rounded teaspoonful of nut mixture onto buttered cookie sheet or silpat.
9. 9
   Let stand at room temperature until hardened.
10. 10
    Store in airtight container between sheets of waxed paper.