Tag Archives: Cooking

Marshmallow mountain

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Marshmallows

  • 4 envelopes unflavored gelatin
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups light Karo syrup
  • pinch teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar with 1/4 cup cornstarch mixed in

Coat a 9 x 13 jelly roll pan with a thin layer of canola oil. In a large heavy bottom pan, bring sugar, syrup, salt and 3/4 cup water to a boil and cook until mixture reaches  238 F on a candy thermometer. When the temperature begins to approach 238, combine 3/4 cup water and the gelatin in the bowl of a mixer and beat at low speed to soften the gelatin. When the sugar syrup reaches 238 F, increase the mixer speed to medium and stream in the sugar syrup. Drape mixer with a towel and gradually increase mixer speed to high. Add vanilla and beat mixture for 12 minutes or until it holds it’s shape. Spread mixture into prepared pan and cool at least 3 hours.

Dust marshmallow with confectioner’s sugar/cornstarch blend and cut strips, one at a time,  with a pizza cutter. Cross cut each strip into squares and coat generously with confectioner’s sugar /cornstarch. Store in an airtight container.

A little crabby

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Crab Bruschetta

1 avocado, chopped
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 tablespoon chopped chives
8 ounces crabmeat
squeeze of lime juice
sprinkle of Northwoods fire seasoning
drizzle of olive oil

Combine all ingredients and serve on toast.

“How can a nation be great if their bread tastes like Kleenex?” – Julia Child

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This has become my go-to bread recipe because it’s so quick and easy. I rub the tops of the loaves with olive oil at the beginning of the second rise and cover them with plastic wrap which seems to make them very happy. A little egg wash will help a garnish of seeds or salt stick as they go into the oven.

Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti

Cranberry pistachio biscotti

Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti

1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup boiling water
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup pistachios, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup sanding sugar

Preheat oven to 375 F. Place cranberries in a small bowl and add 1/2 cup boiling water, or enough to cover. Let stand until cranberries are plump, about 15 minutes. Drain and set aside. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add 3 eggs, one at a time, beating to incorporate after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Add the dry ingredients, beating on low, until fully combined. Stir in the drained cranberries and pistachios.

Remove dough to a lightly floured surface. Divide in two. Roll each piece into a 2 x 18 inch long log and place on prepared baking sheet, leaving about 3 inches between logs. Flatten logs slightly with palm of hand. In a small bowl, lightly beat remaining egg. Brush logs with beaten egg and sprinkle with sanding sugar.

Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on a rack until warm to the touch, about 20 minutes. Place logs on a cutting board and cut crosswise on the diagonal into 3/4 inch pieces. Return biscotti to baking sheet, cut side down. Bake until biscotti are beginning to brown around the edges, about 12 minutes more. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

Divinity

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Divinity candy is traditional on both side of my family and for me it just isn’t Christmas without it. I like paper shell pecans for this because my grandparents had a paper shell pecan tree in their yard and I grew up eating those. This year I had to re-learn how to make the candy because I have a new (giant) mixer and a new (large) pan for the sugar syrup. In the end I doubled my recipe and increased the beating time and it worked out quite well. If you’re not using a 6-quart mixer and a large heavy bottom pan, refer to the recipe for a previous year.

Divinity

1 scant cup water

1 cup light corn syrup

5 cups granulated sugar

4 large egg whites, at room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups chopped pecans

Bring water, corn syrup, and sugar to a boil. Cook sugar syrup to 265 F on a candy thermometer (no less than 262F, not more than 265F). Remove from heat. Beat egg whites to stiff peaks in the bowl of a stand mixer at high speed. Reduce speed just lightly and slowly stream in sugar syrup with the mixer running (pour close to the edge of the bowl, NOT onto the whisk). Add vanilla and beat for 7- 7 1/2 minutes. Turn the mixer to slow and stir in pecans. Quickly turn out onto a sheet of foil (stick to countertop with a bit of water underneath) and spread to about 3/4″ thickness with a spatula. Let stand an hour, cut into squares with a butter knife. Let stand 6-8 hours and then transfer to airtight containers.

Beets and pears?

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I would never have thought to put beets and pears together in a salad. Steamed beets, pears, arugula, toasted walnuts, dill havarti, and a squeeze of lemon makes for a fantastic salad!

Mushroom Poblano tart

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Here’s a recipe that turned out really well. I thought it had a tapas kind of a feel so I used Manchego cheese instead of Parmesan and I added some  serrano pepper into the mix.

Rice noodles with Crispy tofu

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This is a recipe we keep returning to. It’s quick and easy to make, healthful, and delicious. It’s easy to change up the veggies, the herbs, or the type of sprouts. This week I used brown rice noodles which were fantastic.

Fluff ‘n stuff

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The pot pies turned out wonderfully this year. They’ve got a big thumbs up from both guys. I might back off the roux just a smidge next year but not by much. I’ve also spent many an evening working on this lovely angora blend roving that was gifted to me back in April. Plans for it are not solidified yet but I think it’s going to be a 3-ply.

Raspberry Swirl Rolls

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All the hard work of picking and freezing fresh raspberries this summer is paying off now. These raspberry swirl rolls were delicious though I think I need to reduce the baking time in future. I added a smidge of almond extract to the glaze.