Marshmallows?

Why Square Pink Marshmallows, you may wonder?  Quite a few names I thought of were already taken (you don’t even want to know what they were).  My grandmother used to make marshmallows as a confectionary treat for her 22 grandchildren and the many friends and neighbors who came to visit.   The ones she made were always pink, cut up in squares, and rolled in confectioner’s sugar.  They were so good.   I was always amazed that anyone could actually make marshmallows in their own kitchen.  So I named my blog after them because I hope you will find my writings to be as interesting, fun and quirky as homemade square pink marshmallows.

I plan to write about spiritual topics, book reviews, interesting tidbits, nostalgic reminiscences and other items of interest to me.  Of course, I am hoping these things will also interest you!  Please, read on…

By the way: after I named the blog, I decided I really should try to make the marshmallows so I’d have a picture to put with the blog. 

GRANDMA BREIGHNER’S MARSHMALLOWS

2 c. sugar

1 ½ c. water, divided

2 Tbsp. unflavored gelatin (like Knox)

2 tsp. vanilla

red food coloring

confectioners sugar.

Mix sugar and ¾ c. water.  Boil to 230 degrees (use a candy thermometer).  Meanwhile, in large mixing bowl, dissolve gelatin in remaining ¾ c. water.  Stir in vanilla to gelatin mixture.  Stir in enough red coloring to make pink candy.  After boiled mixture gets to 230 degrees, remove from heat and stir into gelatin mixture.  Beat with electric mixture on low speed, then slowly increase speed as mixture thickens (if you beat it too fast too soon, you risk extremely hot liquid splashing out!).  Beat until stiff.  Takes a lot of beating.  Dust a 9 x 13” pan heavily with confectioner’s sugar.  Spread  mixture into pan and allow to cool completely until set.  Cut into squares, remove from pan and roll squares in confectioners sugar (or shake in a bag containing confectioners sugar) to coat.  Place on rack to “dry”.  Store in an airtight container with waxed paper between layers.

 My Grandma spelled this “Marshmellows” and noted on the recipe that they were a favorite of my Pappy.  Cute, huh?  I suppose you could make them any color, but I don’t think Grandma ever did!  I’ll stick with pink too.  But I might just try adding peppermint extract sometime.  Grandma wouldn’t mind.

Ok.  The consistency is a little weird.  I'll try them out on
my Book Club tonight and see what they think.

P.S.  This blog is not going to be all about cooking and is not just for women.  Don’t be fooled by the prissy title.  Or this first post.