Day 9: 30 days of Gratitude...Homemade Carmels!

I loooove homemade carmels. The making of homemade candies is a Christmas tradition of my childhood that has carried over to my own children. Amongst the homemade goodies, carmels are without a doubt my Christmastime favorite. We made this delectable treat on Monday evening. Now Thursday evening... the pan is licked clean. My kids love them too! So without further ado, the recipe:

2 cups sugar
1 cup Karo syrup
3 cups cream

Combine in medium saucepan, sugar, syrup, and one cup cream on medium high heat. Heat to 230 degrees (softball stage) stirring constantly. Add 2nd cup of cream. Heat to 230 degrees again. Add 3rd cup of cream heat to 230 degrees. You can do the cold water test to check consistency of carmels. Pour in a buttered 9 x 13 pan. Allow carmels to set up. Cut into squares and wrap in waxed paper.
These babies do not disappoint. There is a bit of an art to carmel making, if you under cook they are too gooey, and if you overcook too hard. The trick is to get them just right. It is also a must to stir constantly, as to not burn the carmels on the bottom. Day nine, I am grateful for this delicious treat!

Bosch vs Kitchen Aid

What to you think which mixer do you prefer, Kitchen Aid or Bosch? I grew up with a Bosch. When I got married I got a Kitchen Aid. Kithchen Aid is fun with all its colors and such, but, hands down the Bosch is the better tool in the kitchen. Every time I make cookies with my Kithen Aid stuff goes everywhere. Granted I am not the cleanest cook in the world and my delcious cookie recipe makes six dozen but still, it just isn't quite big enough. I realize we have the option of halving the recipe but come on if you are going to the trouble of making cookies why half the batch. Plus we can really put away the cookies in my family. Perhaps we'll make some today. The other reason I like the Bosch better, you have your blender attatched, and it is a super powerful blender; no unblended ice chunks in smoothies with the Bosch. I think in 9 years I am on my 3rd blender. First, the motor busted. Second, the actual pictcher busted and the replacement pitcher was as expensive as a new blender. So on to blender #3. I really want a Bosch but can't justify buying one when my mixer works fine. I've been informed if I start making homemade bread, the motor on my Kitchen Aid will wear out in no time, so bring on the bread! Plus who doesn't love homemade bread. The verdict for me is BOSCH all the way. So if you are looking for a mixer, just getting married, debating on your mixer choices go with the Bosch. If your never going to use your mixer it the first place, get what ever is cheapestor skip it all together.

Swedish Pancakes

So here are some delicious Swedish Pancakes. These have become a tradition in my family. It is fun to see this happening in my own little family as I can think of food traditions in the family I grew up in as well as in by best friend, Natalie's family. I'm sure it is not exclusive to our families alone. I remember after fast Sundays as a kid coming home and having crackers with cream cheese on top, and nachos. Natty's fam had Lasagna on fast Sundays ( right?)Hawaiian chicken was always a big hit for Sunday dinner, and Abby's rice, both delicious, and something both my sisters and I make for our families now. I guess it is important what food traditions we create in our families because if you don't think the next generation is going to carry them on, you're wrong. Soda drinking, is one from my family. It is not the healthiest tradition but we all ( all 5 kids) picked it up. It makes us happy and is a little pick me up for the day. We could have picked a worse vice. I did hold out on becoming a regular drinker until 25 and I'm quiting this year just haven't yet, don't doubt me though. Enough babble here is the recipe, it is from my mother-in-law, Linda and we love it:
3 eggs beat till thick
1 1/4 Cups milk
3/4 Cup flour ( you may need to add a little extra)
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

Beat all ingredients together, pour on electric skillet or crepe ban or big frying pan or whatever you have and cook them up. I like to cover with berries and a sprinkle of powdered sugar, Lexie likes peanut butter, Andrew jam, and Jeremy butter and about 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. How is he so skinny?

How to make a ....

MEAN baked potato. I mentioned to a friend I was going to write this blog, and she looked at me with this look and said, "Turn on the oven and put it in?" As if a good baked potato took zero skill at all. Try this next time, Joc, and see if you notice a difference.

1. Preheat oven to 325-350 somewhere in this range
2. Pick out your spuds and wash
3. Then after poking the potatoes with the tines of a fork, baste potatoes with extra virgin olive oil, and sprinkle with Kosher salt. This salt just has bigger flakes and really is a requirement for every kitchen.

4. Then bake in your oven, at a lower temperature than you are traditionally use to. You want to bake your potatoes at a lower temp for a longer length of time, 90 min., and you get a deliciously fluffy airy baked potato.

5. Top with your favorites and enjoy! I like some variety of cheese, pepper jack, cheddar, or cottage. Salt and pepper and enjoy.