A Few of Middle-Class Martha's Favorite Things

Middle-Class Martha is preparing for the next winter storm.  I am dreading the cold but LOVE the Snow.  I found myself in the grocery store composing a list of a few of my favorite things.   I decided I should share.

A Few of Middle Class Martha’s Favorite Things

Parody of Julie Andrews “Favorite Things”

Snowflakes on cars and Snowmen with pockets

Bright colored mugs and More hot chocolates

Dark chocolate brownies with burnt sugar icing

These are a few of my favorite things!

Crème Brulee recipes and Ganache filled truffles

Martini glasses adorned with chocolate ruffles

Cinnamon Chocolate Cake fit for a king

These are a few of my favorite things!

White chocolate key lime and chocolate dipped strawberries

Warm sugar cookies and tortes topped with raspberries

Aroma of chocolate and the smiles it brings

These are a FEW of My Favorite Things!

During snowball fights

When the frost stings

When I’m feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things and then I don’t feel so Bad!

Snow Days and Marshmallow Dreams

Middle-Class Martha took a little trip to the country this weekend so the kids could enjoy the snow.   A weekend of Hot Chocolate, Warming yourself by the Fire and Snow Sweet Snow.    All of that white fluffy snow made me crave my homemade marshmallows.

The View:

The Snow Ball Fight:

The PERFECT Snow Ball!

Thanks to a Snow ball maker from Target!

I lost!!!

While the Boys where playing outside, I was busy making them a treat:

Homemade Marshmallows cut into a heart shape to go with our salted caramel hot chocolate on a spoon.

Homemade Marshmallow Recipe:
3 packets of unflavored gelatin (.75ml)  *I used Knox gelatin
2 cups superfine granulated sugar
2/3 cup corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 Tablespoon clear butter flavoring
1/2 Tablespoon almond extract

Powdered sugar for dusting marshmallows

1.  Line 8 inch square glass pan with syran wrap.  Spray with cooking oil (butter flavor)

2. In the bowl for your Kitchen Aid mixer,  put 1/2 cup cold water in and sprinkle with Knox gelatin.
    Set aside.

3.  In a sauce pan, place 1/4 cup water, sugar, corn syrup.   Bring to a rolling boil, allow it to remain
     boiling for 1 minute.

4.  Remove from heat and pour slowly over the gelatin in the mixer bowl.   Using the whisk attachment
     begin on low and slowly move the speed up to high.

5.  Add Salt and mix for 10 minutes

6. Add Butter flavoring and Vanilla extract at low speed.  Mix until incorporated.

7.  Pour mixture on top of syran wrap lined pan

8.  Spray a second piece of syran wrap and cover marshmallow mixture.

9.  Press lightly to make air tight seal.

10.  Let sit overnight or atleast 3 hours if you are like me and can't wait :) Don't Judge. These are
       wonderful!

11.  When ready to cut.  Cover mixture with powdered sugar and cut in to squares.   Dust the entire
        marshmallow in powdered sugar to prevent sticking.

12.  Store in an air tight container.

Middle-Class Martha dusted a heart shaped cookie cutter and made heart shaped marshmallows.

ENJOY!

Middle-Class Martha at www.tres-sucrechocolatiere.blogspot.com

Middle-Class Martha Doesn't Do Anything Middle of the Road

In a fashion that would make my "name sake" proud.   I never can just create a "normal" project.

It must be BIG.  It must be the BEST.  It must stay on BUDGET!    Well I may "fudge" on the last B just a little.  

Back on track with my production of Valentine's Simple and Sweet Hot Chocolate on a Spoon.   With my Starbucks salted caramel hot chocolate in hand, I begin my adventure.   I have made my own caramel before but have been experimenting with a Fleur De Sel Salted Caramel.   And YES...Wouldn't it be GREAT if it could be on the Spoon with the hot chocolate?

And the answer is OMG!   Yes!  Sweet Success!

Sweetheart Fleur de sel Salted Caramel:

·1 1/3 cup heavy cream

·2 cups superfine granulated sugar

·1/2 cup light corn syrup

·1/3 cup honey

·6 tbsp butter, cubed

·1 tsp vanilla extract

·2 tsp sea salt, such as fleur de sel

Extra Salt for Garnish

Instructions

1. Spray an 8-inch glass baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Bring heavy cream in a large saucepan to a boil over medium-high heat.

3. Stir in the sugar, corn syrup and honey and stir until it begins to boil again. 

Occasionally, brush the sides of the pan with a pastry brush dipped in ice water to prevent sugar crystals from forming.

3. Use a Candy Thermometer.   Stirring constantly, until the temperature reaches 260 degrees.

4. Immediately Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter, vanilla, and 2 teaspoons of Fleur de sel salt.

5. Pour into glass baking pan and allow Caramel to cool at room temperature.  It will become firm and you may cut it.

Middle-Class Martha used heart shaped cookie cutters to cut the caramel for use with the Sweet and Simple Hot Chocolate.

Middle-Class Martha placed the Sweetheart Fleur de sel Salted Caramel Hearts on the Birchware Spoon before molding the Sweet and Simple Hot Chocolate on a Spoon.

Enjoy!

Middle-Class Martha at www.tres-sucrechocolatiere.blogspot.com

Jack of All Trades Master of None...EXCEPT

Jack of All Trades Master of None...EXCEPT

Chocolate!  Middle Class Martha is a Chocolatier.   So it is safe to say, Chocolate is my thing.   I Love everything about Chocolate from its silky finish to the savory dishes you can create.    I LOVE developing my own signature recipes and creating chocolate masterpieces from my own Pumpkin Spice Truffles, Key lime tarts, Dark chocolate raspberry cake with milk chocolate ganache, white chocolate peppermint ganache soaked petit fours to homemade toffee, caramel and marshmallow accents.   My dream is to open a "Tres Sucre Chocolatiere" Chocolate Cafe.   I have been working on my business plan, however, chocolate making comes easy for me but the business behind it seems difficult?   So for now, I will blog and make my friends call me Martha :)

My friends joke that when they turn the corner to enter my street, they begin salivating at the thought of all of that chocolate.  I keep an entire stocked cabinet above my pantry full of CHOCOLATE!

Everyone knows when you drop by my house it is your duty to help eat all of the chocolate mess-ups that have air bubbles or have broken during the molding process.  A duty Middle-Class Martha’s friends take VERY SERIOUSLY!   Shhh! I also keep a separate cabinet for my more expensive imported chocolates, only a few have the precise location of those speciality bars from all over the world.    It is all in the name of research 

I am constantly developing, learning and acquiring.  This of course brings me to my latest experiment.   Running about town doing At-Home-Mom chores like returning books to the library, picking up dry cleaning and going to the grocery store is a weekly grind for me.   I am not one of those women, whom run about town with my friends or shop every day.   I wish I were but instead spend most of my time trying to vacuum floors, do laundry, dishes and make dinner for my family.  I did happen to have a coffee break with a friend of mine a few weeks ago that I have been “promising” to catch up with for over a year now.  The time to pay the piper had come.   We met at Starbucks.  I rarely spend the time or the Money to do things like that, mostly because I don’t drink coffee.   Bygones.   I ordered a salted caramel hot chocolate and vanilla bean scones.  OMG!  I was in LOVE!   

A week later, my husband and I took a trip to NYC.  My 1^st trip actually.   Most women have their priorities set differently than mine.   My first was to visit Jacque Torres Chocolate shop in Upper Manhattan.  Followed closely by visiting a Broadway show….”Jersey Boys” to be exact and to the Coach store then finally the famous Tiffany’s along with the regular tourist things.    My 1^st priority paid off with a nice Wicked Hot Chocolate, a box of chocolates and a bag pecan brittle.   I was SMITTEN!

A few days after returning I was exploring hot chocolate on a stick pictures and blogs and decided to make my own.  Middle-Class Martha doesn’t do anything “Middle of the road.”   Being a professional chocolatier, I am always a little surprised when I see a photo proudly displayed with air bubbles or not properly tempered (ashy looking).  

I am on the steering committee for our local MOPS group (Mothers Of Preschoolers).  The craft committee chair person to be exact.   I thought what better Valentines craft than “Hot Chocolate on a Spoon.”   BEAUTIFUL idea!   Now, how do I execute something like that for 30 – 40 women?   Hmm?