Thursday, December 23, 2010

Favorite Thing # 8 Homemade Marshmallows

In the bottom of your electric mixer bowl put,
3 pks unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
Let stand

In a med saucepan put
1 1/2 c sugar
1/2 c water
1 c light corn syrup
1/4 tsp salt
Bring to a boil and bring up to 240 degrees on a candy thermometer
With the mixer on low speed pour the hot sugar syrup mix over the gelatin slowly.Then raise the speed up to high and let run 12-15 min till very stiff, add vanilla around 10 min.

In a 9x13 cake pan dust liberal with powdered sugar, pour marshmallow on top of sugar spread evenly and powder the top. Let stand unwrapped at room temperature for up to 4 days to dry.
Cut in squares and roll cut edges in powdered sugar store in an air tight container.




Monday, December 6, 2010

Favorite Thing #10

Frozen Fresh Fruit

This time of year when it's cold out and your feeling rushed from all the holiday bustle, one of my favorite things to make is a quick and easy, warm and gooey fruit cobbler. I love to keep big bags of peaches and berries in the freezer. If your lucky enough to live where these things grow buy them up in season and freeze them for the long cold days of winter.
Here is a easy cobbler recipe for you hope you enjoy it.

MIX TOGETHER IN A MED. BOWL
3 cups frozen fruit (any) thawed
1/2-3/4 cup sugar
1 T fresh lemon juice (don't forget those cubes we made)
2 T corn starch 
POUR INTO A BUTTERED 8X8 BAKING DISH

IN A SMALL BOWL COMBINE
1 1/2 cups of your favorite complete pancake mix (I love Fiber One)
1/4 sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
POUR OVER FRUIT MIX
it should not cover completely
Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 min. until bubble and lightly browned
Serve warm

Friday, December 3, 2010

Favorite Thing # 11

Mexican Vanilla

On a resent trip to Cozumel I was on a quest for two things, Mexican Vanilla and Mexican Chocolate both of which I scored big. But first the Vanilla. The Mexican people feel the vanilla bean is a gift from God so they treat it as such. Most homes have a vine or two growing around there home as a protection.
 The Vanilla you get in Mexico is in its purest form, and has such depth to it's flavor. More like a wine. I bought two different liters to try them side by side, and they are very different. One being very subtle and the other with a much bolder almost coconut aroma. The second has the whole vanilla bean in the bottle.

 If you ever get the chance to go to Mexico don't miss out on all it has to offer. Although they are having some difficult times right Now, the Mexican people are so happy to serve you in there shops and restaurants. (Los Cinco Soles, was a great shop) Stay within the confines of the tourist areas and you will be fine. Remember they love to haggle over the price of there goods. I got to use all my "Dora The Explorer" Spanish that I know, and they got a real kick out of that! Mom and I got some great deals and had a blast.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Favoite Things

Oprah can have favorite things, why can't we. This is my 12 days of Christmas Favorite things list starting today. If I can find a link I will post it. If it;s my polar fleece jacket from 1996 I don't think you want to see that!

Have fun with it and post all of your favorites

Merry Christmas

Le Creuset Cookware and how funny when I found the link and clicked on United States it was one of Oprah's favorites for 2010! I had no idea. Great minds...Here is the link check them out.
 I have some pieces that are going on 25 years old and are still preforming great.



http://www.lecreuset.com/