3/4 c. buttermilk
2 c. sugar
2 c. pecan halves
1/8 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. baking soda

Stir together buttermilk, sugar, pecans, salt and butter in a 4 or 5-quart dish. Cook on high 12 minutes, stirring at 4-minute intervals. Stir in baking soda until foamy. Cook on high for 1 minute. (This last step gives the pralines a caramel color.) Beat mixture until tacky, about 1 minute. Drop by teaspoonfuls on a sheet of foil. Makes 5 1/2 dozen.

TIP: Instead of foil, use a layer of newspaper covered with a sheet of wax paper.