Pralines - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 c. buttermilk
2 c. sugar
Large pinch salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. vanilla
1/8 lb. butter
2 c. pecan halves

Preparation

In a deep heavy saucepan, stir buttermilk, soda, sugar, and salt together.
Stir over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mahogany in color (does not quite get to soft-ball stage).
Remove from heat and add vanilla and butter.
Let cool until you can comfortably put hand on outside of pan.
Beat with spoon until almost thick.
Add nuts, and drop by spoonfuls on marble slab or wax paper.