Buttermilk Pralines

2 cups sugar

1 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chopped pecans

In a saucepan bring the sugar, buttermilk, baking soda, and vanilla to a boil and continue to boil until the mixture reaches the soft-ball stage (this can easily be determined with a candy thermometer). Immediately remove the syrup from the heat and beat until the mixture is thick and creamy. Fold in the pecans and drop into patty-shaped splatters onto wax paper. Use a tablespoon for smaller pralines or a large serving spoon for larger pralines. When the pralines are cool, they can be served or stored in a covered container at room temperature.

Makes 16 to 20 pralines

Southern ladies will offer you a dessert that will send you into a whirlwind of joy. When you compliment them, they will say, “Oh, it was easy! Just a little of this or that . . .” In truth, they probably spent half the day working on the perfect dessert to get that perfect reaction. They’ll smile with an “aw shucks” attitude, while inside they are filled with delight that you loved their culinary offering. We accept our compliments humbly in the South, but inside we are immeasurably proud of our food.