Honeycomb Toffee / Cinder Toffee

Honeycomb Toffee

source: http://www.buzzfeed.com/tasty           

Recipe

2 Cups Sugar
1/2 Cup Light Corn Syrup
1/3 Cup Water
1 Tbsp. Baking Soda

Dark Chocolate
Sea Salt/Maldon Salt

Candy Thermometer

Line a 9 inch baking tray with parchment paper and grease thoroughly.

Set aside a metal whisk and 1 Tbsp. of Baking Soda.

In a LARGE saucepan (bigger the better - as this will more than triple in size) over medium/high heat - combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Stir to incorporate then leave to boil. Insert candy thermometer and continue to heat - without stirring - until the mixture reaches 300˚F (150˚C). Remove from heat and - working quickly - add the baking soda and quickly whisk into the sugar syrup (whisking for no more than 5 seconds - to prevent deflating the toffee). The mixture will begin to expand, quickly pour it into the prepared pan and leave to set DO NOT MOVE for 1-2 hours.

Once the toffee has cooled and set, remove from pan and using a blunt object, shatter the toffee into bite size pieces.

Melt Chocolate in a microwave safe bowl for 75-90 Seconds - stopping to stir after every 30 seconds. Dip the toffee pieces in chocolate and place on a lined baking tray. Finish with a sprinkle of sea salt and place in the refrigerator to cool for 15 minutes. Enjoy!

Jelly Belly Cookie Boxes

Jelly Belly Cookie Boxes

original source and credits:  http://www.glorioustreats.com/2015/03/jelly-belly-cookie-boxes.html

Flowers and jelly beans… two sure signs that spring is here!
Of course these aren’t just any flowers, or just any jelly beans… I created these “sweet” flowers with Jelly Belly jelly beans!
And what’s better than a cookie topped with Jelly Belly beans?  How about cookies topped AND filled with Jelly Belly jelly beans!
These Jelly Belly Cookie Boxes are so colorful and fun, they’d be perfect for Easter, a ladies tea, or any spring celebration!
If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you already know I love making cookie boxes!  I’ve created different designs for most every holiday, and these are my new favorite!  The colorful Spring Jewel mix from Jelly Belly created the perfect inspiration for these spring cookie boxes!

Ready to make some pretty cookies?
Let’s get started!
You’ll need…
1.)  A batch of cookies made with my Sugar Cookie Recipe.
2.)  Two circle cookie cutters, one about 3/4″ smaller in diameter than the other.  I used cutters that were 2.5″ and 1.75″ in diameter.   For each finished cookie box you’ll need 4 cookies.  One batch of dough will make about 5 finished cookie boxes using the same dimensions I’ve used.
3.)  A batch of Royal Icing.
4.)  Jelly Belly jelly beans to decorate the tops of the cookie boxes, and fill them.  For the flowers shown, I used Jewel Sour Lemon, Jewel Sour Apple and Jewel Orange Jelly Belly jelly beans.

Directions –
Bake the cookies – Prepare cookie dough (as directed in the recipe linked above), then cut out circles using your larger circle cutter.  For each finished cookie box you’ll need 4 circle cookies. I used a 2.5″ cookie cutter, but feel free to adjust the size as you wish.  Bake the cookies WHOLE (do not cut out the centers until after the cookies are baked).  As soon as the cookies are baked and you have removed them from the oven (but they are still hot) use the smaller circle to cut into the center of HALF of your cookies.  Cut through the dough with the smaller cutter, but do not touch the cookies (leave the cutout center in place).  Allow the cookies to cool a minute or two on the baking sheet, then use a spatula to carefully move the cookies, with the cutout intact, onto the cooling rack.  Once the cookies have cooled fully, THEN remove the inner circle.  You may need to use the smaller cutter to make sure the inner circle is cut cleanly through.
Once you have each of the piece you need, set them together in sets with one whole cookies as the bottom of the “cookie box”, then add two rings and then you’ll need one whole cookie as the top (pictured below)

Decorate the cookies – Decorate the cookie tops with royal icing as desired.  I colored my icing light blue.  Outline and then fill in with the blue icing (or a color of your choice), then allow to fully dry, at least 4-8 hours.
While you wait on the icing to dry, prepare the Jelly Belly “flowers”.  I created these same kind of flowers for my Jelly Belly Flower Cake, so hop on over to that post for step by step photos on how to make the flowers and leaves.
Cut the Jelly Belly beans (as show in the Jelly Belly Flower Cake post) and set the candies together on your work surface in the same way you plan to assemble then on the cookies.  For the Jelly Belly flowers I made in the cake post I “glued” the candies together with royal icing so I could quickly assemble the finished cake.  For these cookies, there is no need to glue the flowers together ahead of time.  Simply cut the candies as needed, and set aside.  Once the base icing on the cookies is fully dry, use royal icing to attach each “flower petal” (Jelly Belly halves) directly to the iced cookie.
If desired, after you’ve added the flower and leaves to the cookies, add a simple dotted border (I used white icing) to finish off the look.
I chose a simple and elegant look by creating the same daisy-like flower on each cookie.  Feel free to create flowers in a mixture of colors.





Wouldn’t these Jelly Belly Cookie Boxes look amazing as place settings on your Easter table?   They’d be perfect for a garden party, tea party, or any spring celebration!
Be sure to visit Jelly Belly to stock up on these pretty spring jelly beans!
Love Jelly Belly jelly beans?  Here are a couple more beautiful and creative ideas from friends…
Jelly Bean Fudge – from Shugary Sweets
Feather Her Nest Baby Shower, with adorable birds nest cupcakes – from Creative Juice

Disclosure – I was provided product and/or payment in exchange for my work creating this post.  All images, text and opinions are my own.  I only work with brands I use and love.

Christmas Traditional English Trifle - Christmas Cake

 Recipe by Rosa Mayland, November 2011.

Ingredients For The "Cakes":
85g (3oz) Unsalted butter, at room temperature
85g (3oz) Castor sugar
2 Eggs (~ 63g)

1 Tsp Pure vanilla extract
125g (4.5oz) All-purpose flour
1 Tsp Baking powder
1/4 Fine sea salt
3 Tbs Whole milk 

Ingredients For The "Pastry Cream":
2 1/4 Cups (540ml) Whole milk
1/3 Tsp Fine sea salt
4 Tbs Cornstarch
1/2 Cup (110g) Castor sugar
2 Big eggs (~ 70g)
1 1/2 Tsp Pure vanilla extract

4 Tbs Unsalted butter, cut in small cubes
Ingredients For "Assembling The Trifle":
2 1/4 - 1/2 Cups (810 - 900g) Fruit compote (see comments)
2 Lemond (organic)
1 Tbs Light brown sugar
Red Port, to taste
1 Cup (250ml) Double cream (35%), whipped

1/2 Cup (90g) Matchstick almonds, toasted

 

 

Method For The "Cakes":
1. Preheat the oven to 180° C (350° F), then grease two 3x6 inches rectangular cake tins and
line the bases with baking paper.
2. Mix together the sifted flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until pale, light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating the mixture well between each addition and a tablespoon of the flour with the last egg to prevent the mixture from curdling and separating. Then, mix in the vanilla extract.
5. Incorporate the flour mixture by gently folding it in the egg mixture and add enough milk to obtain a batter that falls reluctantly from the spoon.
6. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tins, level the top and bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden and a skewer inserted in the centre of each cake comes out clean.
7. Let cool in the pan for ten minutes before turning out on to a wire rack and leaving to cool completely.
Method For The "Pastry Cream":
1. Put the milk and salt in a pan, bring to a light boil.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, eggs and vanilla extract until smooth, fluffy and light in color.
3. While constantly whisking, slowly pour the milk into the egg mixture.
4. Return the whole to the saucepan.
5. Over medium heat and while whisking non-stop, cook until you get a thick consistency (just bring to a slight boil).
6. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl. Let cool for 10 minutes and then incorporate the butter, a little at a time, until the pastry cream is smooth and shiny .
7. Cover the surface with clingplastic, directly touching the cream. Let cool completely before placing in the refrigerator.

source:
Rosa's Yummy Yums: DELUXE TRADITIONAL ENGLISH TRIFLE - TRIFLE ANGLAIS TRADITIONNEL

Pui rotisat cu rozmarin si soia si garnitura de piure

Rotisserie chicken with rosemary and soy sauce and  mashed potatoes / Pui rotisat cu rozmarin si soia si garnitura de piure

 Rotisserie chicken: rosemary, paprika, soy sauce, mint, black pepper, thyme. All mixed up and smeared chicken inside and outside. Put 3-4 slice of orange inside. Tie the chicken legs and put it in rotisserie. Time to roast it is according to his weight. For example for 1.5 kg ( 3-4 pounds ) time will be 1 1/2 hour ( 90 minutes )

Mashed potatoes: 1.5 kg potatoes for 5 servings ( about 300 grams for each ). Peel potato, wash them  and cut in large pieces.
Boil in salted water at medium heat for 20 minutes after they have burst.
Drain about 80% of water and mashed them. Mixed up with 3 tablespoons butter, salt and milk to taste. Add turmeric for color. and for health of your kidney.

Meniu asa..de Duminica :)  : Pui rotisat cu rozmarin si soia si garnitura de piure de cartofi colorat cu turmeric, ca am auzit ca face bine la rinichi

Prăjitura Mozambic / Mozambic Cake

Prăjitura Mozambic
    o  reteta gasita pe www.a1.ro, pe care eu am modificat-o putin

INGREDIENTE:
100 g faina ( 5 linguri )
100 g ciocolata neagra
70 g unt ( o felie de 2 degete grosime )
70 g zahar tos ( 3 linguri )
 3 oua
1 praf de sare
1 lingurita esenta de rom

Crema de deasupra:
250 g branza de vaci ( branza dulce)
1 lingura smantana sau 2 de lapte
1 lingurita esenta vanilie
1 galbenus de ou
40 g de zahar tos ( 2 linguri )

MOD DE PREPARARE:
Intr-un vas adanc, ciocolata si untul se topesc pe aragaz. Cand s-au topit complet se dau deoparte.
Intr-un castron se amesteca 70 de grame de zahar si cele trei oua, se bat bine si apoi se adauga faina, praful de sare si o lingurita esenta de rom. Cand amestecul s-a omogenizat se incorporeaza si ciocolata topita. Compozitia obtinuta se toarna intr-o tava tapetata cu putina faina sau hartie de copt. ( 20 cm)
Intr-un bol separat, se amesteca cele 40 g zahar, branza, galbenusul si esenta de vanilie. Cu ajutorul unei lingurite, se pune neuniform amestecul de branza si se amesteca din loc in loc, pentru a obtine un efect dragut.
Tava se baga la cuptor pentru 25-30 de minute la 180 grade ( 4 pe gaz ).
Se lasa sa se raceasca in forma cel putin 15 minute inainte de servire.
Sa aveti pofta !

Tocanita vanatoreasca / Hunter's stew

Tocanita vanatoreasca  / Hunter's stew

                reteta de pe www.maggi.ro

50ml de ulei
200g de pulpa de miel
200g de pulpa de pui
200g de cotlet de porc
200g de pulpa de vita
300g de rosii (conserva)
200g de morcovi
80g de telina
200g de ceapa
2 linguri de MAGGI Secretul Gustului
10 boabe de piper
1 legatura de patrunjel
    Mod de preparare
    Carnea se taie in cubulete si se pastreaza in vase separate. Legumele se toaca si se soteaza in 50 ml ulei apoi se adauga carnea, pe rand, din zece in zece minute in urmatoarea ordine: vita, miel, porc, pui.
    Se soteaza adaugand cate o cana de apa calduta odata cu fiecare fel de carne. Dupa ce ati pus si carnea de pui, puneti dafinul si piperul.
    Acoperiti cu apa si lasati sa fiarba la foc mic inca 40 de minute.
    Adaugati apoi rosiile decojite (zdrobite), 2 linguri de MAGGI Secretul Gustului Intensavor Legume si inca o cana de apa.
    Dupa ce scade apa stingeti focul, sarati daca mai e cazul si adaugati patrunjelul tocat.

Musaca de piure cu carne tocata

Add caption

Musaca de piure cu carne tocata

Ingrediente
pentru 12 portii = o tava ( yena ) de 40 x 25 cm

Umplutura:    600-700 g carne tocata  ( porc , vita sau amestec )  
   2 cepe mari  
   sare, piper, 
   1/2 lingurita cimbru 
   3 linguri pasta de tomate sau 4 de bulion sau 5 de suc de rosii  
   optional, 1 lingurita rasa de boia dulce sau iute, dupa gust 
   optional, un dovlecel mic  
   1 ou
Piure:
   2 kg cartofi
   100 g unt pentru piure
   100 ml lapte

    putin ulei sau unt si pesmet pentru uns tava
    3 linguri de ulei si 1 lingura pasta de tomate pentru decor

Mod de preparare
   Se caleste , ceapa tocata la foc foarte mic, pana incepe sa devina translucida . Se adauga carnea si dovlecelul dat prin razatoarea mica si se mai caleste la foc mic timp de 15 minute.  Se adauga sare si piper dupa gust, cimbrul, 3 linguri pasta de tomate, boia si se opreste focul. Se lasa sa se raceasca pana cand putem tine mana in amestec fara sa ne friga. Se adauga oul si se amesteca din nou.
   Cartofii se curata,se spala, se taie ca pentru tocana si se pun la fiert in apa rece cu sare. Cand incepe apa sa clocoteasca se ia spuma si se mai lasa la fiert la foc mic- mediu inca aproximativ 30 minute. Dupa ce cartofii sunt fierti ( se rup cand sunt intepati cu furculita), se scurg de apa, dar apa scursa se pastreaza. Se paseaza, se amesteca cu unt si lapte, se adauga sare dupa gust si se mai subtiaza cu zeama in care au fiert cartofii pana la obtinerea unui piure putin mai moale decat in mod obisnuit.
   Se porneste cuptorul la 180 grade sau treapta 4 .
   Se unge tava cu putin ulei sau unt si se tapeteaza cu pesmet.
   Se aseaza un strat de piure care sa fie aproximativ jumatate din cantitatea totala de piure. Se niveleaza. Se adauga amestecul de carne si se niveleaza. Se adauga restul de piure si se niveleaza si acesta. Cele 3 linguri de ulei se pun la incalzit intr-o tigaita. Cand se incinge uleiul se adauga 1 lingura de bulion si se opreste focul. Amestecul obtinut se intainde ca ultim strat peste musaca.
   Daca in tava au ramas pe inaltime mai putin de 2 cm ( 2 degete) pana la margine, exista riscul sa dea in foc. Pentru siguranta se pune pe o treapta inferioara a cuptorului o tava goala si tava cu musaca se pune deasupra pe gratar.
   Se da la foc foarte mic pentru 20 minute si  apoi se se mai tine 15 minute la 180 grade.
   Este gata cand este rumenita frumos.
   Se lasa la racit cel putin 30 minute.
 
   Sa aveti pofta !

Rulada cu capsuni

Rulada cu capsuni

         o reteta de pe www.prajituria.ro
1/5 dintr-un cub de margarina Rama Maestro (50g)
4 oua
1/2 pahar cu zahar (125g)
3/4 pahar faina (130g)
1 lingurita rasa praf de copt (4g)
Umplutura:
600 g de capsuni
2 jeleuri de capsuni
Zahar pudra pentru ornare

1 Pregatiti aluatul. Separati galbenusurile de albus. Bateti albusurile cu zahar pana la omogenizare. In continuare, amestecati incet, apoi adaugati treptat ouale si faina amestecata cu praful de copt. In cele din urma, turnati margarina Rama Maestro topita si racita si amestecati usor cu o lingura.
2 Turnati aluatul in tava de 22x27 cm acoperita in prealabil cu hartie de copt. Intindeti-l uniform si coaceti-l timp de aproximativ 10 minute la 180°C.
3 Scoateti blatul copt si puneti-l impreuna cu hartia de copt intr-o forma de prajituri cu dimensiunea de 8x27 cm.
4 Pregatiti spuma de capsuni. Dizolvati jeleurile intr-un pahar cu apa fierbinte si lasati-le sa se raceasca. Amestecati jumatate din capsuni cu jeleul dizolvat.
5 Asezati capsunile ramase pe blatul din tava si turnati spuma de capsuni. Puneti prajitura in frigider pentru o ora pentru a se intari.
6 Acoperiti prajitura cu un blat de lemn si intoarceti-o invers. Intai scoateti tava si apoi hartia de copt. Presarati zahar pudra sau adaugati un topping de ciocolata inainte sa o serviti.