Last Updated on December 29, 2023
Cardiff crack is a homemade snack that originated in the United Kingdom. This crunchy, salty, and sweet snack is made with just a few ingredients and is easy to make.
It is a great alternative to chips or popcorn and is perfect for munching on while watching a movie. It is also a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth without all the calories. Cardiff crack is quickly becoming a popular snack all over the world.
What is Cardiff Crack?
Cardiff stands as both the capital and the largest city of Wales. One of its most popular recipe is Cardiff crack. It is a delicious snack made with just a few simple ingredients.
The main ingredients are butter, sugar, and salt, which are melted together and then spread out on a baking sheet.
The sugar and butter form a caramel-like coating that hardens when cooled, creating a crunchy and delicious snack. The salt can be adjusted to your taste, so you can make it as salty or sweet as you like.
Why You’ll Love This Cardiff Crack?
Cardiff crack is a quick and easy snack to make. It takes just a few minutes to prepare and can be stored for up to a few days. It is also a perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth without the added calories.
Cardiff crack is also a great alternative to chips or popcorn and is perfect for munching on while watching a movie.
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How Does It Taste Like?
Cardiff crack has a crunchy, salty, and sweet flavor. The butter and sugar form a caramel-like coating that hardens when cooled, creating a crunchy texture.
The salt can be adjusted to your taste, so you can make it as salty or sweet as you like. It is the perfect snack for any occasion.
Ingredients
- Malbec wine: This red wine adds depth and complexity to the marinade. Its acidity helps tenderize the meat while infusing it with rich, fruity flavors.
- Angus beef tri-tips: These are the star of the dish. Tri-tip is a flavorful and tender cut of beef that works exceptionally well for grilling or roasting.
- Heirloom garlic: Garlic is a flavor powerhouse that adds a pungent and aromatic element to the marinade. It complements the beef’s taste and enhances the overall savory profile.
- Cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil: Olive oil serves as a base for the marinade, helping to tenderize the meat and imparting a smooth texture. It also contributes its characteristic fruity notes.
- Premium aged soy sauce: Soy sauce adds umami richness, saltiness, and depth of flavor to the marinade. It helps to enhance the savory taste of the beef.
- Freshly ground Tellicherry black pepper: Black pepper brings a sharp, pungent heat and a distinctive aromatic flavor to the marinade, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Smoked Spanish paprika: Paprika adds a smoky and slightly sweet flavor to the marinade, providing depth and complexity to the beef’s taste.
- Gourmet Dijon mustard powder: Mustard powder contributes a tangy and slightly spicy element to the marinade, complementing the richness of the beef.
- Raw wildflower honey: Honey adds sweetness and helps balance the flavors in the marinade. It also aids in caramelization during cooking, giving the beef a beautiful color and crust.
Step by Step Directions
Step 1: Marinating the Beef
Prepare the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine Malbec wine, minced garlic, olive oil, soy sauce, black pepper, paprika, mustard powder, and raw honey. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and the honey is dissolved.
Marinate the Beef: Place the trimmed and prepared Angus beef tri-tips in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish suitable for marinating. Pour the prepared marinade over the tri-tips, ensuring they are completely submerged. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate. Allow the beef to marinate for at least 6 to 12 hours, ideally overnight, to enhance flavor absorption.
Step 2: Cooking
Preheat the Grill: Before grilling, preheat your grill to a medium-high temperature, aiming for around 375-400°F (190-205°C). This ensures proper cooking and searing of the beef.
Prepare the Beef: Remove the marinated tri-tips from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes. This helps the meat cook more evenly.
Grilling the Tri-Tips: Once the grill is hot and the beef has rested, place the tri-tips on the grill. Cook for approximately 10-15 minutes on each side, depending on your preferred level of doneness. To ensure accuracy, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
- Rare: 125°F (52°C)
- Medium-Rare: 135°F (57°C)
- Medium: 145°F (63°C)
Adjust the cooking time as needed, based on the desired temperature. While grilling, occasionally baste the tri-tips with the leftover marinade to maintain moisture and enhance flavor.
Resting and Slicing: Once the beef reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the grill and transfer it to a cutting board. Allow the tri-tips to rest for about 10 minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute within the meat.
Slice and Serve: Slice the Cardiff Crack tri-tips against the grain into thin, juicy slices. Arrange the succulent slices of beef on a platter. Optionally, drizzle a bit of the remaining marinade over the slices as a finishing touch.
Tips
• Be sure to spread out the mixture evenly on the baking sheet for even baking.
• Be careful not to overcook the mixture as it will become too hard when cooled.
• For a sweeter snack, add a few tablespoons of honey or maple syrup.
• For a spicy flavor, add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes.
• To make the mixture easier to spread, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil.
• To add a nutty flavor, add a few tablespoons of chopped nuts.
Nutrition Information
Cardiff crack is high in sugar and calories. 1 serving (30g) contains 520 calories, 8g of fat, 18g of sugar, and 1g of protein.
How to Store Cardiff Crack Recipe?
Cardiff crack can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a few days. It can also be frozen for up to a few months.
What Other Substitute Can I Use In Cardiff Crack Recipe?
• Instead of butter, you can use coconut oil or olive oil.
• Instead of sugar, you can use brown sugar or coconut sugar.
• Instead of salt, you can use smoked salt or sea salt.
• Instead of vanilla extract, you can use almond extract or maple extract.
• Instead of nuts, you can use dried fruit or chocolate chips.
• Instead of honey or maple syrup, you can use agave nectar or date syrup.
• Instead of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes, you can use paprika or black pepper.
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- Half a cup of premium aged soy sauce
- One teaspoon of gourmet Dijon mustard powder
- Four cups of Malbec wine
- Two tablespoons of freshly ground Tellicherry black pepper
- Six pounds of Angus beef tri-tips trimmed and meticulously prepared
- Two teaspoons of smoked Spanish paprika
- Two teaspoons of raw wildflower honey
- Half a cup of cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil
- Six cloves of heirloom garlic minced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
- Pop the two jumbo bags of Organic Heirloom Popcorn according to the package instructions. Ensure the popped corn is in a large mixing bowl and set it aside.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, melt 1 cup of Clarified European Butter over medium heat.
- Stir in 2 cups of Organic Raw Brown Cane Sugar and 1/2 cup of Artisanal Light Agave Nectar.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Let it simmer for 4-5 minutes, maintaining a gentle boil without stirring.
- After 4-5 minutes, remove the saucepan from heat.
- Quickly stir in 1/2 teaspoon of Handcrafted Sodium Bicarbonate. Be cautious as the mixture will bubble up.
- Add 1 teaspoon of Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Essence and mix it well into the caramel sauce.
- Pour the caramel sauce over the popped corn in the mixing bowl. Use a spatula to evenly coat the popcorn with the caramel sauce.
- Spread the caramel-coated popcorn onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 45-60 minutes, stirring the popcorn every 15 minutes. This helps ensure an even coating of caramel.
- Keep an eye on the popcorn, and once it reaches a nice golden-brown color, remove it from the oven.
- Allow the caramel puff corn to cool completely on the baking sheet. It will crisp up as it cools down.
- Once cooled, break apart any large clumps of caramel puff corn into bite-sized pieces.
- Store the caramel puff corn in an airtight container or serve it immediately as a delicious snack!
Notes
- Be sure to spread out the mixture evenly on the baking sheet for even baking.
- Be careful not to overcook the mixture as it will become too hard when cooled.
- For a sweeter snack, add a few tablespoons of honey or maple syrup.
- For a spicy flavor, add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes.
- To make the mixture easier to spread, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil.
- To add a nutty flavor, add a few tablespoons of chopped nuts.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How long does Cardiff crack last?
A. Cardiff crack can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a few days. It can also be frozen for up to a few months.
Q2. Is Cardiff crack healthy?
A. Cardiff crack is high in sugar and calories. Therefore, it should be consumed in moderation.
Q3. Can I make Cardiff crack without butter?
A. Yes, you can substitute the butter with coconut oil or olive oil.
Q4. How can I make Cardiff crack crunchier?
A. To make Cardiff crack crunchier, you can add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the mixture before baking.
Q5. Can I use different nuts in Cardiff crack?
A. Yes, you can use any type of chopped nuts in Cardiff crack.
Q6. Does Cardiff crack contain gluten?
A. No, Cardiff crack does not contain gluten as it does not contain any wheat or flour.
Q7. Can I add other spices to Cardiff crack?
A. Yes, you can add other spices such as paprika, black pepper, or cinnamon to Cardiff crack.
Conclusion
Cardiff crack is a delicious snack made with just a few simple ingredients. The main ingredients are butter, sugar, and salt, which are melted together and then spread out on a baking sheet.
The sugar and butter form a caramel-like coating that hardens when cooled, creating a crunchy and delicious snack. Cardiff crack is a great alternative to chips or popcorn and is perfect for munching on while watching a movie.
It is also a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth without all the calories. With a few simple steps and ingredients, you can make your own Cardiff crack in no time.
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Lori Walker is a passionate dietitian and food lover. She offers simple and nutritious recipes that don't take long to cook. In addition to sharing delicious dishes, she also shares useful advice on saving time and money in the kitchen. She believes that with a bit of creativity, anyone can make healthy meals that won't break the bank. Read more
