Scotchmallows

So, Sally tried the marshmallow but the website I gave doesn't tell you to adjust for elevation, b/c its different depending on where you are. Hers came out harder more like taffy she said. So, here is the whole scoop now. Just made the caramel and didn't cook long enough, but she told me this is her caramel sauce, you just cook it longer to harden it.. They are a lot of work, but yummy!!

from Catherine Hornman

Adjusting for Elevation

Before you get started, you need to know what temperature water boils at. It sounds like an unnecessary step, but it will make a difference and it's easy. Just put a small pot of water on to boil and check the temperature when it reaches a full boil. At sea level, water boils at 212 degrees F. In Colorado it boils at a lower temperature, say 204. That's a difference of 8 degrees, so any candy you cook needs to be cooked 8 degrees less than the recipe says. Otherwise, your're going to overcook your candy and end up with brittle when you wanted caramel.

Grease a half sheet pan and make the caramel as follows:
1 cup butter
2 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1 cup sweetened condensed milk (14 oz can)
2 cup whipping cream
1 1/4 teaspoon vanilla

In large heavy pan (4qt) melt butter, then add everything but vanilla. Cook over medium to medium-high, stirring constantly till temp is 240-245(after adjusting cooked to 234). Remove from heat stir in vanilla and pour in greased pan.

After carmel sets up, make Alton Brown's Marshmallows:
3 pkgs. unflavored gelatin
1 cup ice cold water, divided
12 oz sugar (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 cup of water. Whisk attachment ready.
In a saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Place over medium heat cover and cook for 3-4 min. Uncover, clip candy themo onto the mixture till reaches 240F (234) approx 7-8 min. Once mixture reaches temp immediately remove from heat.
Turn mixture on low speed and while running pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into gelatin mixture. Increase to high speed and continue to whip for 12-15 min. Add vanilla during last minute of mixing. Using spatula, scrape bowl onto the carmels. Let dry 4 hours.

Cut candy into squares and dip in chocolate. Rest on wax paper. Delicious!!

Hot Drink

My throat is killing me. So my husband the sweetheart that he is heated up some concoction he has never before made me (7 years of not sharing) from his mission in Mexico, and I love it.

Hot water, cinnamon stick, a little bit of milk, and if you want a little sugar. Yum.

Marshmallows

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/homemade-marshmallows-recipe/index.html

Seriously, it was so fun to make these with my girls. We died them pink for valentines, and cut them with a heart shape cookie cutter. If that's not enough we dipped them in chocolate and added sprinkles. I also used peppermint extract instead of vanilla, so leftovers will be perfect for my hot chocolate.

Updating.. in Scotchmallow ..

Ham and Cheese Casserole

from Nancy Durrant
Super easy, and yummy, perfect for leftover ham

2 cups cooked rice
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
1/2 cup milk
1 cup diced ham
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 tbl. chopped onions

Bake at 375 until slightly brown. (I put it in a 8x8 or 9x9 pan. I also added a little more rice and cheese. Takes about 15-22 minutes.)