I have to go back and double check, but I think I am exactly the same as last week! So maybe I should switch my goals to “maintaining” through the holidays?!
Tony and I started out our Saturday morning out to breakfast. Nothing to write home about (and the picture didn’t turn out at all!). I had an egg beater omelet with diced ham and cheddar cheese. I ate about half of that, but ate all of the hashbrowns – the tops were really crispy the way I like! 😀
When we got home I spent close to two hours cleaning the kitchen. Mind you, our kitchen isn’t that big, but it had been a while since I had cleaned the outsides of the cabinets, the outside of the appliances, etc. Hannah was so happy when she came home to a spotless kitchen!
However, I quickly got to work in making a mess! Peppermint Marshmallows!
Biz’s Peppermint Marshmallows
- 4 packets of unflavored gelatin (I use Knox brand)
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon peppermint extract (or any extract you want – I actually found my peppermint extract at Tuesday Morning of all places!)
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 1/4 cups corn syrup
- 3/4 cup water (for sugar mixture)
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- powdered sugar
In a stand mixer, add 3/4 cup water, the extract and the packets of gelatin. You need to soften the gelatin while you make the syrup mixture. In a heavy saucepan, add sugar, salt, corn syrup and remaining 3/4 cup water. Bring to a boil with a lid on, remove lid and continue to cook WITOUT STIRRING until it reaches between 235 and 240 (soft ball stage) on a candy thermometer. This took about 15 minutes. Be sure to use a pan big enough! Once it hits the right temperature, add sugar mixture to gelatin mixer and let it whirl on high for 10 minutes until nice and fluffy!
I actually found reduced corn syrup!
Pour into a 9×13 pan that has been sprayed with Pam – it will be really sticky! After I put it in the pan, I dotted red food coloring and made swirls with a toothpick!
Let it sit on the counter overnight. The next day – add powdered sugar to the top and flip out onto a cutting board. I’ve found that using scissors is the easiest way to cut them. Once cut, dip all sides into powdered sugar.
The best part about homemade marshmallows is that they take a really long time to melt in hot chocolate!
Okay, I am running out of time – I need to finish getting ready for work – here are a few more pics from my weekend – from my friend Kim’s Christmas party Saturday night, to my Mom’s holiday sing (where she had a solo!) to lunch at Panera and Italian Roast Beef for Sunday dinner!
My giant beer to Tony’s tiny glass of wine at dinner Saturday night. The funniest thing about dinner? When we paid with our debit card, they said “we only take cash or checks.” CHECKS? Who takes a check for dinner?
You did a great job Momma! One of my favorite angels at my Mom’s house:
My step-son Joe would have been all over these!
See you tonight! 😀
Wahhhh I’m so jealous! I tried to make peppermint marshmallows for Xmas gifts last year, but I don’t have a stand mixer, and no amount of work with my regular beater could get it to work. So sad.
Yours look awesome…so fluffy!
I really want some of those marshmallows… I may just have to cook some up!
I’m with everyone else on the check thing – totally weird!
Checks at dinner? Homemade marshmallows?
Checks should be banned, and homemade marshmallows should be everywhere!
So want to make marshmallows! It will totally happen. Totally!
i’d say maintaining over the holidays is a triumph by itself. that’s all that i’m hoping for! i’m loving the look of those mallows!
Those are SO cool – I love how you cut them with scissors!!
Those peppermint marshmallows are so impressive!! You are so talented!!!!!!!
Yay for the marshmallows!
Um.. I’m w/ you — checks!??? That’s the #1 way to get screwed. Esp. for a restaurant!??? Weird!!
Your marshmallows look so festive!!
Those are so perfect for hot chocolate!!!
my goal is to maintain over the holidays as well – its almost impossible to loose over during this season!
absolutely, maintaining is a noble goal over the holidays
Oooooooh the marshmallows look divine!
Durn it, now I’m already thinking how cool that would be to make & I’m already set to make 4 types of cookies this week! lol
Sounds like you had a great weekend…well, except for the kitchen cleaning. Ugh, I sat on the floor & scrubbed everything from the floor to as high as I could reach all around the kitchen (floorboards, walls, cabinets, etc…) about a month ago. Porbably my least favorite chore.
Best wishes,
Lynn
I love how you make things that most people wouldn’t even think of, like the marshmallows! They look so good and would totally MAKE a cup of hot chocolate!!!
What with all of the parties you’ve had to go to this season, I think maintaining your weight is excellent – good job, lady!
Your marshmellows look & sound amazing! And I’m not even a big marshmellow fan.. Now I want a piece in some hot chocolate… 🙂
And I think maintaining during the holidays is just fine… 😉
Have a great week!