COCONUT NOUGATINE STICKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Position rack in the center of the oven.
• Lightly oil a marble slab or hard plastic cutting board, a rolling pin, a large chef's knife, and a metal pastry scraper.
• Spread the coconut on a baking sheet.
• Bake for approx 5 mins, stirring often, until lightly toasted.
• Remove from oven and cover with aluminium foil to keep warm.
• Pour water, corn syrup and sugar into a heavy saucepan.
• Bring to boil over low heat, swirling the pan occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
• Increase heat to high and cook, swirling occasionally, until syrup is light amber in color, about 2 1/2 mins.
• Remove from heat and stir in coconut.
• Pour onto the oiled work surface and cool until outer edges begin to set, about 45 sec.
• Using the oiled pastry scraper, fold the nougatine from the edges to the center.
• Fold a few times to cool the nougatine slightly.
• Using the oiled rolling pin, roll the nougatine into a rectangle, with 1/8 inch thickness.
• If it's too hot, it will stick to rolling pin; if too cold, transfer to an oiled baking sheet and place in warm oven until softened.
• Before the mass cools and hardens, cut the nougatine into 5x1/4-inch sticks with the oiled knife.
• Separate the sticks as you cut them.
• Cool until firm.
• The nougatine sticks may be prepared up to 3 days in advance; store them in an airtight container at room temperature.