The Kitchen. Seriously, if I go stark raving mad about something to do with this house, it will be the kitchen. In the beginning we were going to just keep the old cabinets and repaint them, and then they turned out to be really uneven and pretty nasty inside so we took them out. And we were going to get nice, beautiful butcher block counter tops. But then the idea of concrete crept into our brains and wouldn't let go. And then we found the wood flooring, and the overly heavy but so cool farm sink that needed serious shoring up if our cabinets wasn't going to buckle over on itself. Between one thing or another, this kitchen renovation is taking a LONG time. Well I guess since we are doing most of it ourselves in the evening between moving, working, writing and parenting it has probably gone pretty quickly. But for a girl who loves to cook, it seems like a long time.
It's not done. There are still counter tops to measure, make a mold for, build a mold for, pour into the mold and let cure for two weeks. And there's a lot of finish work to do. And handles to find since I don't like anything I've seen so far. But at least it's now usable. Yesterday the shelving went in, this morning the dishwasher go hooked up and running (Thank you! THANK YOU! gods of the dishwasher!)
Today was Briton's first full day home after a two week stay at Will's parents house and fora little welcome home and yay! the kitchen is working project we decided to make some homemade marshmallows.
I say that like it's a regular occurrence. Believe me, it's not. But I got this neat book for my
birthday that has all sorts of how to makes for things we eat all the time. Like cheese crackers and crispy bread sticks and Junior Mints- Will's favorite candy. And bacon. Bacon. Humm, should I? Could I?....We'll see about that one. But along with the bacon and cheese its was a recipe for marshmallows. Something I've always meant to try but just, haven't.It was sticky. I wont lie. There were a lot of gooey fingers, particularly during the cutting and
rolling in powdered sugar stage. But they are pretty darn yummy. Next time, oh yes, there will be a next time, I think I'll roll a few in toasted coconut. Just for me since I'm the only coconut lover in the family. hey, I deserve it. And maybe by then the kitchen will be done. Right. A girl can dream.Marshmallows adapted from Jam it Pickle it Cure it
2/3 cup water, divided
3 enveloped unflavored gelatin
1 cup sugar
1 cup corn syrup
pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar
Pour 1/3 cup of water into the bowl of the stand mixer and sprinkle the gelatin over it, letting it set for at least 10 minutes to soften. In a heavy bottomed sauce pan mix remaining 1/3 cup water, sugar, corn syrup and salt over a medium heat until the liquid reaches 220 degrees. Carefully (and with the kids no where near you, just in case) pour the hot sugar mix into the gelatin with the mixer on slow. Once incorporated add the vanilla and turn the mixer up to medium high and then high until things are nice and white and fluffy. Pour into a oiled pan and allow to set up and cool. Cut with a damp knife and roll each cube in powdered sugar.