Marshmallows and Matzoh S'mores - This Is How I Cook

Marshmallows and Matzoh S’mores

A smiling face is half the meal. (Latvian Proverb)

Marshmallows and Matzoh S’mores

The truth is I really don’t like marshmallows. My daughter loves marshmallows. She likes those Peep things that are in the really bright colors. So I make these for her. And this year I made them pastel pink. (A little food coloring is OK, right?) Well, I guess I’m not quite telling the truth. I DO like marshmallows when I can dunk them in fudgie chocolate fondue. I DO like marshmallows when I’m sitting around a fire and I can toast them. Yum-those are so good. I like mine a little burnt around the edges just so I can smell the sugar of a perfectly toasted marshmallow. And feel the fire on my face. And well, I love s’mores. So maybe I do like marshmallows; just not by themselves- so to speak. And so this Passover, I came up with the above. My own Passover version of S’mores.

Nothing fancy here. Just a little Fool’s Toffee made with matzoh, of course. Microwave it for 10-20 seconds with a marshmallow on top and well, these are pretty damn good; if I must say so myself. Marshmallows are pretty easy to make. I’m not a candy thermometer kind of girl and you do need one for these, but I promise they are pretty simple. After all, I’m a simple girl. (Well, I’m not sure if my husband would call me simple. But when it comes to cooking I am.)

So go ahead. Amaze your family. You too, can make marshmallows. And WOW, they are so much better than jet puffed!

Marshmallows (from Martha Stewart)

4 envelopes unflavored gelatin

3/4 c water

3 c sugar

1 1/4 c light corn syrup

1/4 t salt

3/4 c water

2t vanilla extract

1 1/2 c confectioner’s sugar

Oil an 11×17 baking sheet. Line sheet with aluminum foil, not the heavy kind. Lightly coat foil with more oil. (The hardest part in this recipe is after the marshmallows have sat you do need to turn the pan over after dusting with confectioner’s sugar and peel the foil off. It takes a little practice.)

In the bowl of a standing electric mixer soften the gelatin with 3/4 c water.

Combine sugar, corn syrup, 3/4 c water and salt in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook over high heat until syrup reaches 234 to 240 degrees. (I am at an altitude of 5280 so I adjust my temperature down by 10 degrees since water boils here at 202.) Note that you don’t have to stir and this doesn’t take more than 10 minutes to reach temperature.

With the wire whisk attachment on your mixer, at full speed beat the hot syrup slowly into the gelatin until mixture is very stiff, about 15 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and food coloring if you want. Pour mixture onto foil lined sheet and smooth top with an oiled spatula. Allow mixture to rest uncovered at room temperature for 10-12 hours.

Sprinkle confectioner’s sugar onto cutting board and on to marshmallow mixture. Turn out onto cutting board and peel off foil. Cut into shapes or squares. Store in an airtight container. These will keep for awhile if no one eats them.

Matzoh S’mores

zoe

Thursday 12th of April 2012

I love the middle picture as well :) and the marshmallows were delicious. Next time we should do HOT pink.

Abbe

Wednesday 11th of April 2012

Really? I wouldn't have thought the middle. But I am going to do it because you are the expert. How did you ever get so good? I had a boyfriend, a long time ago, that was into photography. I could never get past that whole Fstop thing. Now I wish I'd paid attention. Thanks for all your encouragement. You must be a great husband.

Kitchen Riffs

That middle photo is really good. I don't know if they'll pick it up, but I'd submit that one to Foodgawker, Tastespotting, and Tasteologie. Also try DesertStalking (I'll bet they'll pick it up, but they don't provide much traffic) and Serious Eat's Photograzing. Tastespotting and Tasteologie in particular are rather fond of overhead shots. And the post itself? I've never made marshmallows, but I see so many of them on blogs I'm sure I'll give it a shot someday. Easy, and they're so pretty. Pink was a nice choice - something different. Fun post - thanks.

Johanna

Hello Abbe, I haven't made marshmellows in so long, even though Easter has flown by, I think I will still make this! Thankyou, Johanna.

You should make these, Johanna. They are a happy food! Thanks for writing.