Chile-Macadamia Brittle

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 250F.
2. 2
   Lightly oil a large sheet of foil on a baking sheet, then warm in oven.
3. 3
   Shake nuts in a coarse sieve to remove any nut powder (this will create a clearer brittle).
4. 4
   Cook sugar and water in a deep 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring slowly with a fork, until melted and pale golden.
5. 5
   Cook caramel without stirring, swirling pan, until golden.
6. 6
   Immediately stir in red pepper flakes and nuts and cook, stirring, until nuts are golden, about 1 minute.
7. 7
   Quickly pour onto foil, tilting baking sheet to spread brittle evenly before it hardens.
8. 8
   (If caramel hardens too fast, put in a 400F oven until warm enough to spread, 1 to 2 minutes.)
9. 9
   Cool brittle on baking sheet on a rack until completely hardened, then break into large pieces.