Sunday, January 4, 2009

Vanilla Bean Marshmallows

Thank you guys for the well wishes yesterday! I am feeling sort of better...enough to go to the farmers market and flirt with the cute guy that sells me salad :) I actually got some stuff done too instead of just sitting around all day. Last week, I was introduced to the 101 in 1001 list via Miss Marie. I loved the idea that instead of setting traditional new year's resolutions that you may or may not keep, you come up with a list of specific, attainable goals in a set time period. Plus, I love that the time period is really long so you can set some lofty goals and some immediate goals. As I get closer to 30 (ugh, so scared), I want to come up with some things so that I won't feel I have been completely useless with my life up until that point. I spent much of yesterday coming up with a little more than half my list. Unfortunately for you, I am going to keep my list private, but I may share with you when I reach a few of the goals. What does all of this have to do with homemade marshmallows? Absolutely nothing! Right before I started food blogging, I came across the concept of making your own marshmallows. The thought had never even occurred to me before, but now I think it is a brilliant idea. It gave me a chance to put my new stand mixer to good use and it was kind of fun too!! The marshmallows are good on their own, but put them in a mug of steaming hot homemade cocoa and well... you have something out of this world!!


Vanilla Bean Marshmallows
(From Slashfood)

.75-oz unflavored gelatin (3 envelopes of Knox gelatin)
1/2 cup cold water
2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cups light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
Seeds from one vanilla bean

Line 9 x 9-inch pan with plastic wrap and lightly oil it. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water. Soak for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine sugar, corn syrup, vanilla bean seeds and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a rapid boil and boil hard for 1 minute. Pour the boiling syrup into soaked gelatin and turn on the mixer, using the whisk attachment, to high speed. Add the salt and beat for 12 minutes.

Using a greased spatula, scrape marshmallow into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Take another piece of lightly oiled plastic wrap and press lightly on top of the marshmallow, creating a seal. Let mixture sit for a few hours, or overnight, until cooled and firmly set.

In a shallow dish, combine equal parts cornstarch and confectioners' sugar. Remove marshmallow from pan and cut into equal pieces with scissors or a chef's knife (it helps if whatever tool you use is greased). Dredge each piece of marshmallow in confectioners' sugar mixture. Store in an airtight container. Makes about 40 large marshmallows, depending on the size you choose to cut them.

Hot Chocolate
(From the back of the Kroger Unsweetened Cocoa carton)

Makes 1 serving

In a large, microwave safe mug combine 1 heaping teaspoon unsweetened cocoa, 2 heaping teaspoons sugar, and a dash of salt. Add 2 teaspoons cold milk and stir until smooth. Full mug with milk, microwave on high 1-4 minutes or until hot. Stir midway through heating and when hot.

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29 comments:

Erica said...

Glad you're feeling better and got to flirt with the salad man ;) You should ask him out! Those marshmallows look awesome! I have never made homemade ones but have always wanted to. Maybe next year for christmas!

Heather said...

i hope you make great progress on your list :) aren't homemade marshmallows the best? i've made them a few times and just love them. happy 2009 :)

Tyler said...

wow great idea! those look amazing (and i use the recipe on the back of the cocoa, too, lol! although i usually add cinnamon...)

Reeni said...

Your marshmallows are so beautiful! I bet their a hundred times better than store-bought. I've never seen a hot cocoa recipe that calls for salt!

Unknown said...

these are on my culinary to-do list :) good luck with your goals!

Diana said...

I love the idea of a 101 list! That's sort of how I'm approaching this year. I hope both of us are able to reach some of our goals in 09. At the very least, I know we'll be eating well! And drinking well with that cocoa with marshmallows! Yum! :)

vanillasugarblog said...

my love for vanilla beans is endless (hence the blog name); so I would love love love this. Just photographing these vanilla marshmallows would be pure pleasure for me.
I love that list...it's got me thinking for sure.

Esi said...

Thanks guys!

Erica, these would be a really good present wrapped up all cutely and you could do different colors too.

Heather, I have already started working on a couple of goals. I still have to come up with 21 more though!

Raspberry, that's a good idea with the cinnamon. My taste buds weren't working too well last night so next time I will try to remember that.

Reeni, this recipe made me like marshmallows again. I think the salt in the hot chocolate recipe was just to bring out the flavor of the chocolate. I didn't even notice it though.

Diana, good luck with your goals too!

Dawn, since I did that spontaneous purchase of vanilla beans a while ago, they have become one of my favorite ingredients in the kitchen.

Andrea said...

Hope you're feeling better! I also hope you share your culinary achievements off your list! Your marshmallows look picture perfect and I am a firm believer in anything vanilla bean!

Paula said...

No Way!!! Cool! These are so awesome. I'm so impressed that you made marshmallows! Were they super sticky to deal with? They look terrific. Glad you are feeling better. It's 10:45 pm and I want marshmallows now. :-)

Esi said...

Andrea, I am definitely already working on some of the culinary goals so I will be able to keep you guys posted.

Paula, these were really sticky, but it helped to spray the spatula when spreading and the knife and scissors when cutting them. Made life much easier!

CECIL said...

I too got some cold after returning from vacation. Maybe the drastic change of temperature. Mid 30s celcius to -10 celcius. Haha. Anyhow, home made marshmallows!! I'd never in million years attempt to make it my own. Such a great inspiration!!

Kana said...

HI Esi - lovely marshmallows but alas, I do not eat gelatin..What else could I use?

The Blonde Duck said...

You're brave to make marshmallows! I hope you feel better!

Esi said...

Hey Maya - I did some searching for marshmallow recipes before I made this. I have heard you can use agar agar instead of gelatin, but from what I have read it doesn't always work for people. I wish I could be more help. If anyone else knows of a way to make marshmallows without gelatin, please share :)

Anonymous said...

I don't really like store bought marshmallows but these look really good.

pigpigscorner said...

It's freezing cold and I could use a cup of hot choc with your yummy marshmallows now!

Anonymous said...

These marshmallows make me super jealous! They look delicious! When I became vegetarian, borderline vegan, marshmallows were one of the hardest things to give up. I once attempted to make my own, using agar agar (here ya go Esi!) but they ended up as more of a marshmallow cream than solid marshmallows like I wanted. I have a lot more cooking/ baking experience since then though and I miss them so much, I am going to give them another try. I think I either didn't use enough agar agar, didn't dissolve it well enough or a combination of the two. Best of luck when you try!

Ginger said...

Oh my, are these for real? These look so very good. I can't imagine how good they would taste in a cup of homemade chocolate!! Happy New Year!!

Becka Robinson said...

Those look luxurious!

Esi said...

Oh, you guys want to know what I did after I took this picture? I felt that the hot chocolate wasn't warm enough so I stuck the mug in the microwave. The marshmallows puffed up and created a nice frothy top to the hot chocolate. It was divine!

test it comm said...

They look great! Making your own marshmallows sounds like fun.

Leonor de Sousa Bastos said...

Marshmallows and hot chocolate is one of my favorite combination!!

Have a nice 2009!

Ice Cream Betches said...

homemade marhsmallows rock! If you're too lazy to make your own though, the Carmela ice cream guy at the hollywood farmer's market sells them now (http://www.carmelaicecream.com/). I believe he sells them on behalf of a girl that makes them, I'll try and get her name. Don't forget to have some ice cream with those marshmallows!

Ice Cream Betches said...

he also sells passionfruit marshmallows, as well as regular!

Dee said...

It's been too long since I've flirted with the salad guy, or any guy for that matter ;) Glad to know you're better :) Marshmallows should be on my 2009 list, since it's been on the 2007 and 2008 lists. Gotta get cracking on that.

You know I've got all the ingredients, so a quick question: do you have to store these in the fridge, and how long do they keep, would you know?

p/s
Don't be scared of 30 - it's fun!

Esi said...

Hey Dee! I am keeping mine in a plastic storage bag (ziploc or some no name brand), and from what I read, they can be stored like that for up to a month. Let me know if you try them!

Anonymous said...

This looks delish!

GoldTeeth said...

I made these today! in the fridge as I type this. I'm going to link to your post on my website and my blog. thank you very much for this informative post.