Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Home made Marshmallows!

I have a new love Homemade Marshmallows!!! here is a wonderful recipe.

Ingredients

  • 3 packages unflavored gelatin
  • 1 cup ice cold water, divided
  • 12 ounces granulated sugar, approximately 1 1/2 cups
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • Nonstick spray

Directions

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

In a small saucepan 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 to 4 minutes. Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from the heat.

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

For regular marshmallows:

Combine the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstickcooking spray. Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and move around to completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use.

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

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

For miniature marshmallows:

Combine the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Line 4 half sheet pans with parchment paper, spray the paper with nonstick cooking spray and dust with the confectioners' sugar mixture.

Scoop the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round piping tip. Pipe the mixture onto the prepared sheet pans lengthwise, leaving about 1-inch between each strip. Sprinkle the tops with enough of the remaining cornstarch and sugar mixture to lightly cover. Let the strips set for 4 hours or up to overnight.

Cut into 1/2 inch pieces using a pizza wheel or scissors dusted with the confectioners' sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the remaining sugar mixture and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Merry Christmas to all and Best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Friday, November 5, 2010

My Ghost Story

When I was at college I had an interesting experience that I often wonder about. I went to school in London, England and lived in the dorms, our dorm was on a high street (big wide street). One evening a big group of my friends and I were going to a fashion show and party at our school. Some of the girls had designs in the show, some were modeling, and some were dressers--so we had lots of things to bring with us--so we opted for a couple of taxis instead of the tube. While we waited for the taxis we noticed the building across the very wide street on the top floor there were probably a dozen men all dressed in white flowing gowns at the windows and on the roof frantically working---they looked very busy --but we couldn't figure out what the heck they were doing. We waited a good ten minutes watching them and guessing --what they could possibly be doing!

The taxis arrived and we forgot all about them--we had a wonderful time and didn't return until 2 or 3 am. When we went home our street had been blocked off---we had to get out and walk to our building ---there were firetrucks but what ever had happened was long over. We asked our dorm Mother but she told us it was late and we should go to sleep. The next day was Saturday so we slept until noon--when we got up we could see the building across the street was blackened by fire. Apparently a few hours after we left, a fire broke out on the top floor of the building and 2 women and a child died. We talked to one of the firemen and told him we saw a bunch of men in white robes working frantically a few hours before the fire. The firemen said that it wasn't possible--no work had been done on the building and that the top floor was a group of Lebanese women and children that were war refuges.

So what did we see--were they angels taking the spirits away before the tragedy---were they ghosts getting ready for more ghosts. I think about it often--it was a long time ago.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Another Amazing Halloween Giveaway!!!



The Halloween Queens are giving a fabulous prize away every day in October! The prizes are all amazing! Here are just two of the amazing prizes! So hurry on over and enter --all they ask is that you share your favorite Halloween tradition! To enter follow the link below.

http://artisticthalloweenqueens.blogspot.com/2010/09/queen-for-day-giveaway.html

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Godiva dessert truffels! aka Heaven in a box!


Two weeks ago I had a birthday, and I was lucky enough to receive Godiva's new Dessert Truffles
They are amazing!!! six flavors
Chocolate lovers will swoon at our newest creations, inspired by favorite bakery treats. The Limited Edition collection includes rich, dark, Chocolate Lava Cake with a spectacular molten fondant center; spicy Carrot Cake "frosted" in milk chocolate and rolled in chopped pecans; Southern-style Red Velvet Cake in white chocolate with a heart of sweet chocolate ganache; all American Cheesecake ganache in milk chocolate, topped with crust-like crumbs; white chocolate Tiramisu, an ethereal blend of mascarpone and espresso ganache; and Strawberry Tarte swirling sweet berries and tart rhubarb through vanilla mousse, enrobed in milk chocolate. When it's time for dessert, forgo the cake and go straight to the truffles. The small box of six sells for $15 --But you might as well get the large box because you are going to want more!!!
They can also be purchased online here :

http://www.godiva.com/product/6-pc-bakery-dessert-truffles/id/2427.gdv

The Tiramisu is my favorite---you know the "last Supper question" Or if you were stuck on a deserted island and had to eat one thing for the rest of your life----well sign me up for a lifetime of Tiramisu truffles and I will start swimming for my island now!!!

I have to admit I'm a huge Godiva fan!!! If you are too you have to join the rewards club---every time I go in I get an extra treat for being a member---and it's all free!!
join here:

https://www.godiva.com/member/rewardlogin.aspx

perks include:

Rewards Club Members enjoy:

  • Free piece of Chocolate every month
  • Free gift each month you spend $10 or more
  • Free standard shipping for 1 online order
  • Exclusive online special offer every month

Friday, October 1, 2010

My Mother is a Doll collector





My Mother is a doll collector, she has been collecting dolls since she was a child (she will be 75 in November) so over the years she has collected quite a few amazing dolls. She loves all dolls, but in her later years she has developed a love of unique dolls--these dolls sometimes run a bit dark.
Last Christmas I gave her a doll a little old man in a red suit---Oh contrare-it wasn't Santa it was a Devil doll!

Here he sits on some of the gifts I brought my Mom--(yes---of course the Dogs presents are the ones on the floor wrapped in doggy paper)


She loves Halloween, so I was scouring the planet recently looking for the perfect doll for her for Halloween and I found a gorgeous vampire doll named "Bloody Mary" she was lovingly made by a gorgeous mother of three named Ina Smirnova --she is in fact a prize to be won (Bloody Mary not Ina Smirnova) She is located here at "Bears'n'Roses" http://ina-smirnova.blogspot.com/
To enter you just need to spread the word about the giveaway and then post a note with a link on her blog! So good luck to all --she looks amazing!! Yes that's Bloody Mary at the top isn't she gorgeous!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

The Island Sweet Shop


When I was young we had a candy store--that actually made their own candy!! It was called "The Island Sweet Shop" and they really went all out for Easter. Every year they would have classes the week before Easter, and you could come and make a wonderful "Panorama sugar egg" similar to these:


These are available for sale at www.blumchen.com

direct link: http://www.blumchen.com/easter_shop_party_favors.html#easter_party_favors_pg1

It was lots of fun, and allowed you to get really creative, The Island Sweet Shop had all sorts of tiny treasures that they made ahead of time that you could put in your egg, they were so much fun. They had the consistency of a red hot only not hot--and they would make tiny animals, people, boats, fruits, all sorts of things --all tiny to go in your panoramic egg. I miss the craftsmanship the true artistry of an old world candy maker. I always dreamed of working at the Island Sweet shop, sadly it is no longer and I can't remember the last time I saw a piece of handmade candy. I know we still have many true candy artisans but they all seem to work exclusively with chocolate.

As I hunt for treasures to add to my children's Easter Baskets I miss the Island Sweet Shop.
If anyone knows of a wonderful candy maker please recommend them to me.


The funny thing in searching for a picture of a panorama egg to show---I discovered : www.blumchen.com --they actually have lots of lovely items --if anyone is interested here's a blurb from their website :

As Purveyors of Life's Little Niceties, Blümchen has all of the treats & treasures you need to help you celebrate the Holidays with what is truly 'The Best of Christmas Past'®. We specialize in offering the finest quality Christmas tree ornaments, decorations and old-time crafting supplies from Europe and America -- everything you may have thought existed only in the past. From our exclusive Victorian Whimseys® and Holiday Delight collectibles to scrap relief pictures, embossed Dresden foil trims and authentic German Lametta tinsels, Blümchen has it all!

I'm always looking for treasures--(something you don't see in 4 out of 5 stores) this shop is defiantly worth checking out!