Match Made In Heaven

I think these two wines should get married.

In other news....my husband kicked me out of the kitchen yesterday and made this. I don't have a recipe and it doesn't have a name....but it was amazing!

Starbucks Has K Cups!

I am so freakin excited about this!

Homemade Marshmallows

Hey Everyone....and Shawn and Impulsive Addict.

You all really know me as Connie from The Young and The Relentless but today....I'm going to show another side of myself. My Martha Stewart inspired self. Except that bitch sometimes steers me a stray.

Several years ago, I tried her recipe for Marshmallows and it was a huge flop! I rarely have disasters in the kitchen but that was a huge one and it banged up my ego.

Two years ago, I was supposed to drive to the wilds of Utah to learn to make Marshmallows. I was so excited because I was going to be able to right a wrong.

Then if snowed. A LOT!

I was unable to attend Marshmallow Making 101 with Prairie Mama (also known as Kim).

So last week, I find myself in a meeting to plan my son's Kindergarten Winter Party and all of a sudden, my mouth is telling them that I will make homemade Marshmallows. My hand tried to cover my mouth but it was too late.

I raced home from this meeting and started searching for Kim's recipe and decided to make a test batch on Sunday to make sure that I could make them and not a fool of myself.

I think they turned out pretty great!

Homemade EASY Marshmallows
adapted from Brownie Points Blog

4 envelopes of gelatin
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon Vanilla
3 cups sugar
3/4 cup water
1 1/4 corn syrup
1/2 tsp salt
Confectioners Sugar

Line a 9X13 pan with parchment paper (or wax paper).  Spray the paper with non-stick spray.

For the recipe you MUST have a stand mixer and a whisk attachment.  In the mixing bowl, combine the water (3/4 cup) with the vanilla  and then sprinkle the gelatin over...do not dump the gelatin in.

Heat a saucepan over medium high heat and add the sugar, salt, corn syrup and other 3/4 cup of water.  Bring to a boil with the lid on and without stirring it.  When the mixture is boiling, remove the lid and stick your candy thermometer on the pan and cook until it reaches the soft ball stage, 234-240 F.

With the mixer at medium speed, pour all of the syrup slowly into the mixing bowl.  The syrup is very hot so be careful!  When all of the syrup has been added....increase the speed to HIGH!  Warning: Your mixer will sound like it's about to take off and you might think it's a bout to break. 

Whip this mixture until it is very fluffy and stiff.  This will take 8-10 minutes and will go by quickly because you're worried that your mixer is about to launch itself out the window. Pour the marshmallow into the waiting pan and smooth with an oiled up offset spatula.  This mixture now has to sit, uncovered at room temperture, taunting your family for 10-12 hours.

When you are ready to cut your marshmallows, sprinkle a generous amount of confectioners sugar (also known as powdered sugar) over the marshmallows.  Turn the slab out onto a cutting board, peel off the paper and sprinkly more sugar. Slice with a pizza cutter or a meat cleaver.  The meat cleaver worked great for me!  You can also use cookie cutters to make fun shapes. After cutting, dip the pieces in sugar and then tap off the excess.

This make a TON of marshmallows and will keep  for several weeks in an airtight container.

Tips before making Marshmallows:

Make sure that your children are either entertained, or duct taped to the couch before starting this. You will not be able to leave the kitchen and if they start streaking around your home...you can't stop them.

Make sure you have used the restroom before starting this recipe because of the same reason above.

Realize that you will have powdered sugar everywhere.

Be prepared to threaten family members with their life if they touch your curing marshmallows before they are ready.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

I get really excited when the first snow falls in Colorado. It means boots, hats, gloves and SOUP! I love soup! This has to be one of my favorites and it's not kid friendly.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 pound, boneless chicken breasts, sliced into cutlets
1.5 tablespoons olive oil, separated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon chili powder (more to taste)
1 large onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 cloves of garlic, sliced thin
32 oz chicken broth
2 cups of water
2 (10oz) cans of Rotel with Green Chilies
3 cans black beans, drained
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt to taste
Corn Tortilla strips

Garnish:
1 lime, cut into wedges
Avocado, diced
Colby Jack Cheese, shredded

Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons of oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat.  Season chicken with salt and chili powder.  Add chicken to the pot and cook, turning only once, until brown on both sides and cooked through.  Transfer to a cutting board.  When cool enough to handle, cut into chunks or shred.

Heat a tablespoon of oil in the now empty pot and add onion, green and red peppers and garlic. Saute for 5 minutes or until soft and fragrant. Add chicken broth, water, tomatoes,  black beans and chicken.  Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to medium low. Add cumin and cayenne, salt to taste. Simmer for at least 20 minutes to meld the flavors.  I like to simmer for a couple of hours.

Turn off heat 15 minutes before serving and add tortilla strips.   Garnish with cheese,  avocado and lime wedge.

Caffeine Crawl

I need to go to the Caffeine Crawl.  

It's in my DNA! (that's how much I drink)

photo credit

Who wants to go with me?

The One Where I Cry Over Popcorn

I went to Whole Foods this morning for my new addiction.

This amazing Caramel Corn from Rocky Mountain Popcorn is my new favorite thing!  It's gluten-free and just so tasty.  

I was disappointed to see that Whole Foods (the one in Belmar) didn't  have it and there wasn't a tag for it either.  I almost cried!  

How can you get me hooked on this little bag of heaven and then not have it anymore?  

I decided to try a few other things instead.  Reluctantly.

I just ate a couple small bowlfuls of 365 Kettle Corn and just realized that it's NOT gluten-free.  CRAP!  Well....it tastes good anyway.

The Way To His Heart....

Italian Sausage!!

My marriage tip for the day.

Instead of sending your husband racy pictures of yourself while he's at work....

Send him pictures of the Italian Sausage Store!

This also guarantees that he'll make it home on time for dinner.