Category: in the kitchen
Easter Treats
Last week, I found Betz White’s photo tutorial for some super-cute, adorably tiny Easter baskets made from 3 oz. Dixie cups. Naturally, I decided that I needed to make these for Easter. And put homemade candy in them. Never mind that I came up with this plan about a week before Easter. Clearly, it’s a very sensible plan. We painted our cups (instead of using markers like Betz) and I glittered some of them. Someday I’d like to upgrade the paint in our craft supplies from the washable Crayola stuff to something that doesn’t feel like chalk when it’s dry. …
Elsewhere…
There was a spell a few years back where I got into cheese-making. There were several batches of mozzarella, mascarpone and cream cheese, and a gouda, a Monterey Jack , and a traditional cheddar. Equipment was acquired, including a small fridge that is supposed to pretend it’s a cave. I didn’t make cheese at all last year. I still make yogurt once or twice a month, but that’s about it. It’s not that cheese is difficult to make, exactly, but it is time-consuming. The hard cheeses didn’t quite come out the way I wanted, probably due to cheese’s sensitivity to …
Making the Tradition Mine
I sort of fell off the Internet there for the second part of December. Wanna know why? After last year’s first attempt was deemed a success by my candy-making grandfather, and with his candy-making tools in hand (omg! marble slab ftw!), I picked up the family Christmas candy tradition. I’ve always thought that someone should carry on Grandpa’s candy making; if it’s me, I get to claim the extras. I guess there’s an ulterior motive for everything. Grandpa made caramels for years. I remember there were a few years when I was a teenager (I think) when he made all …
On with the Sugar Rush
English toffee. It’s the reason for the season. Or is it the traditional Christmas morning coffee cake ring? Family gatherings, carols, large meals and gift exchanges are all very nice, and I’d miss them if they weren’t part of our rituals, but take out the candy or the coffee cake and I think my world might stop spinning. Even if it didn’t, it would definitely develop a bad wobble. I’m thinking of you, Grandpa! Save Save
Candy Corn Restrospective
It was supposed to be quick and fun. Instead, it took more than an hour and inspired some… er… colorful language. So, should anyone else want to attempt making candy corn from the how-to provided by The Harvard Crimson Flyby, here’s what I learned: If you are using ingredients from the natural foods aisle (eg, not C&H powdered sugar), sift everything really well. I used powdered sugar from Wholesome Sweeteners and powdered milk from Organic Valley. Both of these clump up as a general rule but it’s never been a problem with other uses, although those usually involved a mixer. …