Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Homemade Marshmallow

YUM..... That is all I have to say....

3 packages unflavored gelatin
1 cup ICE COLD water, divided
12 oz granulated sugar (approx 1/2 cups)
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
non stick spray

Directions:
Place gelatin into bowl on a stand mixer along with 1/2 cup of water. Have the wisk attachment standing by.

In a small sauce pan, combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt.  Place over medium high heat, cover and allow to cook for 3-4 minutes.  Uncover and clip candy thermometer onto side of pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, approximately 7-8 minutes.  Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from heat.

Turn the mixer on low speed, and while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture.  Once you have added all the syrup, increase the speed to high.  Continue to whip until the mixture becomes very thick and luke warn, approximately 12 -15 minutes.  Add the vanilla during the last minute of whipping.  While the mixture is whipping, prepare the pans as follows.

Combine the confectioners sugar and corn starch into a small bowl.  Lightly spray a 13x9 inch metal pan with non stick cooking spray.  Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and move around to completely cover bottom and sides of pan.  Return the remaining to bowl for later use.

When ready, pour the mixture into pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan.  Dust the top with enough of the sugar cornstarch mixture to cover.  Reserve the rest for later. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for 4 hours or up to overnight.

Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board and cut into 1 inch squares using a pizza wheel dusted with the sugar cornstarch mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmellow with the remaining sugar cornstarch mixture, using additional if necessary. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Bachelor Button Cookies...

Ok all.... Thanks to Courtney for bringing these fabulous little things into my life!
These (according to Courtney) were Thomas Jefferson's favorite cookie.... Someday I am going to search for the presidents fav cookies and bake them...Ohhhhhhhhhhh Presidents Day...FABULOUS!

Here is the recipe.

1 cup shortning
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs (well beaten)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp soda
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
dried marichino cherries... I did not have any and used jumbo chocolate chips

Cream shortening and sugar. Add beaten eggs. Sift dry ingredients and add, blending well. Drop (I rolled them to make the pretty) by teaspoons on greased cookie sheet and bake 10 to 12 minutes (mine took 9 minutes) at 375 degrees,

I placed the chocolate chips on the rolled cookies before baking... The marachino cherries are done the same way.

ADDED: Pretty cool idea from Gabby.... Take the sugar and salt out... these make great dog cookies!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Ok everyone... I seemed to have fallen in a hole!

Yay for December, BOO for the freaking cold I have. I have has this cold for now 3 days and... it is just awful!

Small updates for all... Gabby went yesterday for an Asparger's assessment. She said the doctor gave her a bunch of tests. He asked what seemed to be 5 million questions to Lee and myself.  I have no idea how this will turn out, I should be getting the final report by the beginning of the year.

On to better things... I can't wait for Christmas!! Snow (mucho grande snow) has arrived. This morning, it is 7 degrees... COLD! The tree is up, gift are under the tree. Lee and I sat and thought about how much better we are than a year ago.  We all have little blessings every day. Even when the days seem really crappy, blessings come is small and odd packages. We just need to look for them.

I will start putting recipes daily... I am going to start with the recipes I will be making for our families Christmas party. All are lovely desserts.

Be good to each other!
~Jenn... who is headed to the couch with a box of tissues and a blanket!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Ruby Pasta

This is a recipe my better half, Lee taught me. My first thought was "ewwwwwwww beets!" WOW was I ever wrong! This is a beautiful dish that is really easy to make. Definitely has a wow factor. Add in a glass of white wine and a nice Italian salad and you have a great date night meal.

Ruby Pasta

5 medium sized beets, cleaned. Keep skin on
1 lb pasta
3 tablespoons crushed garlic
1 tsp red pepper flakes (add more to taste)
2 - 3 tablespoons olive oil.

Directions-
Clean beets and wrap individually in foil. Roast in 350 degree oven for at least 1 1/2 hour.. Take out of oven and let cool. Once cooled, gently peel beet and rinse in cool water.  Dice into small bite sized pieces.

Fill large pot with salted water and come to boil, cook pasta according to package directions.

While pasta is cooking, in large saute pan, add olive oil and allow to heat. add in beets, garlic and red pepper flakes.  Cook beet mixture until tender.

Rinse spaghetti and place back into pot, add beet mixture into pasta and combine.

Pasta should turn a ruby/crimson color. Leftovers are great reheated.

~Enjoy!

Ruby Pasta

This is a recipe my better half, Lee taught me. My first thought was "ewwwwwwww beets!" WOW was I ever wrong! This is a beautiful dish that is really easy to make. Definitely has a wow factor. Add in a glass of white wine and a nice Italian salad and you have a great date night meal.

Ruby Pasta

5 medium sized beets, cleaned. Keep skin on
1 lb pasta
3 tablespoons crushed garlic
1 tsp red pepper flakes (add more to taste)
2 - 3 tablespoons olive oil.

Directions-
Clean beets and wrap individually in foil. Roast in 350 degree oven for at least 1 1/2 hour.. Take out of oven and let cool. Once cooled, gently peel beet and rinse in cool water.  Dice into small bite sized pieces.

Fill large pot with salted water and come to boil, cook pasta according to package directions.

While pasta is cooking, in large saute pan, add olive oil and allow to heat. add in beets, garlic and red pepper flakes.  Cook beet mixture until tender.

Rinse spaghetti and place back into pot, add beet mixture into pasta and combine.

Pasta should turn a ruby/crimson color. Leftovers are great reheated.

~Enjoy!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Best Toffee Ever!

Ok this is my "go to" staple. I have made it for friends, and for groups. If  you happen to undercook it (by eyeballing the color) it will end up softer, and slightly grainy. However either way, it is awesome!
Ingredients:
2 cups butter (please do not use margarine!)
2 cups white sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups chocolate chips (I use milk chocolate just as preference, any chocolate would be good!)
1 cup finely chopped almonds.(optional)

Directions:
In a large heavy bottomed saucepan, combine butter, sugar and salt. Cook over medium heat (this is REALLY important!) , stirring until the butter is melted. Allow to come to a boil and cool until the mixture becomes a dark amber color, and the temperature has reached 285 degrees. Stir occasionally.

While the toffee is cooking, cover a large baking sheetwith aluminum foil or parchment paper (I prefer the parchment paper)

As soon as the toffee reaches the proper temperature, pour it out on to the prepped backing sheet.  Sprinkle the chocolate into a thin even layer once it has melted. Sprinkle the nuts over the chocolate and press slightly. Putting a plastic a bag over your hand will minimize the mess.

Place the toffee the refrigerator to chill until set. Break into pieces and store in an air tight container.
ENJOY!

First time!

Hey everyone. This is Jenn, I decided to start blogging all my recipes, stories... The stuff we all talk about when we are in the kitchen!
I have 2 daughters, they help me cook and prep, they don't do cleanup (I don't blame them either!) I have found that the more I have them help, the more they talk about what is going on in their lives.
All parents know that when kids come home, you get the "yeah school was fine" answer. I did too. Once the girls started helping they started to talk about what really happened, what is bugging them, who likes who in class. All the things we wish they would just say! We come up with some good answers when we are peeling, cutting, and stirring.
I am a semi-homemade idea girl. I however, I do not cook with a martini in hand, and I don't say "now, can I tell you...?" Nor does my kitchen EVER change! LOL, I also sometimes say "Guess what? we are having cereal for supper!" We all have those days. I do, however try to make a good family dinner throughout the week. For my kids, nutrition is very important. My oldest has ADD and is in the process of being diagnosed with Aspargers Syndrome. Trying to get "crap" out of the diet (excess sugar, highly processed foods..) is important. I have seen an improvement in the girls, and I see how they down slide when we go on fast food benders!
So here we go.. I hope this will be a fun ride for us all. I look forward to your responses!
~Jenn