Post by Gord on Dec 21, 2009 23:33:35 GMT -8
It does not take a genius to cook simple Christmas treats. This fact makes me a perfect choice to share some simple yet important insights I have recently learned.
Last year I tried my hand at rice crispy squares. Crispy is right. When I was done and they were cooled I think I could put a square right through the kitchen window. The only way I could eat them is after they were warmed up in the microwave. Otherwise, they were HARD! I sort of pictured them to be akin to those blocks pet rabbits gnaw on to keep their teeth from growing too quickly. My wife, knowing all too well my legendary cheapness, accused me of not using enough marshmallows. However, this was not true as I dearly love chewy rice crispy squares and actually splurged and threw in a few extra over what the recipe asked for. It was not a proud moment for my culinary efforts.
Move forward to this year.
I tried my hand again a few days ago thinking I would redeem myself from last year and also have some nice treats for the upcoming bird count. Would you believe that the rotten things turned out the exact same way!? They went in to the pan to cool seeming soft enough that my hopes soared, causing me to cast a sly smile in my wife's direction. All the same they rapidly dried to a heartbreaking concrete hardness. To add insult to injury, I somehow melted my wife's new rubber spatula in to a grotesque mess during the process. Im not one to waste food, so brought along a couple of the squares on Saturday's bird count thinking perhaps I could warm them enough on the dash of the car. I explained to Chris that I would like to share one with him, but was not sure which would be more insulting. Me eating both squares or just eating one and making him be polite and possibly chipping a tooth or something on his. Turns out it was good that I didnt share. Near the end of the day I was hungry enough to tackle the second square while we listened for perhaps a Lapland Longspur to fly over Banford Road (a challenge to hear much over the "crunch, crunch" of the squares I was eating). Half way though, I idly thought "Ohh! Finally, a nice chewy part of this rice crispy square!". After too many following chews I realized something was not right. Turns out the 'chewy part' was simply part of that rubber spatula that came off during the cooking process!!!
Anyway, I have learned what the problem is. I am cooking the marshmallows too hot and leaving things on the burner for too long. I suppose the nature of the marshmallow alters when it gets too hot. Yesterday I tried again, using a wooden spoon (after ignoring a good natured jab from my wife suggesting I cut a branch off the apple tree) and started to stir in the rice crispies even before the marshmallows were completely melted (Id say 80% melted). MMMMMmmmmm they are perfect!!!
Not sure if this has been or could possibly ever be a problem for someone in the future. But I thought I spare your teeth and emotional wellness all the same! ;D ;D ;D
Last year I tried my hand at rice crispy squares. Crispy is right. When I was done and they were cooled I think I could put a square right through the kitchen window. The only way I could eat them is after they were warmed up in the microwave. Otherwise, they were HARD! I sort of pictured them to be akin to those blocks pet rabbits gnaw on to keep their teeth from growing too quickly. My wife, knowing all too well my legendary cheapness, accused me of not using enough marshmallows. However, this was not true as I dearly love chewy rice crispy squares and actually splurged and threw in a few extra over what the recipe asked for. It was not a proud moment for my culinary efforts.
Move forward to this year.
I tried my hand again a few days ago thinking I would redeem myself from last year and also have some nice treats for the upcoming bird count. Would you believe that the rotten things turned out the exact same way!? They went in to the pan to cool seeming soft enough that my hopes soared, causing me to cast a sly smile in my wife's direction. All the same they rapidly dried to a heartbreaking concrete hardness. To add insult to injury, I somehow melted my wife's new rubber spatula in to a grotesque mess during the process. Im not one to waste food, so brought along a couple of the squares on Saturday's bird count thinking perhaps I could warm them enough on the dash of the car. I explained to Chris that I would like to share one with him, but was not sure which would be more insulting. Me eating both squares or just eating one and making him be polite and possibly chipping a tooth or something on his. Turns out it was good that I didnt share. Near the end of the day I was hungry enough to tackle the second square while we listened for perhaps a Lapland Longspur to fly over Banford Road (a challenge to hear much over the "crunch, crunch" of the squares I was eating). Half way though, I idly thought "Ohh! Finally, a nice chewy part of this rice crispy square!". After too many following chews I realized something was not right. Turns out the 'chewy part' was simply part of that rubber spatula that came off during the cooking process!!!
Anyway, I have learned what the problem is. I am cooking the marshmallows too hot and leaving things on the burner for too long. I suppose the nature of the marshmallow alters when it gets too hot. Yesterday I tried again, using a wooden spoon (after ignoring a good natured jab from my wife suggesting I cut a branch off the apple tree) and started to stir in the rice crispies even before the marshmallows were completely melted (Id say 80% melted). MMMMMmmmmm they are perfect!!!
Not sure if this has been or could possibly ever be a problem for someone in the future. But I thought I spare your teeth and emotional wellness all the same! ;D ;D ;D
