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Cutting out the middle man…

One of the greatest things I learned about my husband is that camping to him was in a 4 star hotel. Score.
Now don’t get me wrong, I like the outdoors, heck, I was Forestry major my freshman year of college. But sleeping on the rocky ground vs. a mattress is really a no brainer. Tying my food up so that a bear does not come into camp vs. brunch with a mimosa..again no brainer. Washing yourself in a river where an elk was peeing earlier vs. a hot shower. No brainer. And speaking of peeing, this is pretty much the main reason I do not camp. Call it the only time when I have penis envy. I was not made to go to the bathroom outside. And no, an outhouse the smells ungodly with a spider in the corner just waiting to pounce on me is not a suitable option.
Now, I know that many people camp and love it. I know many of those people have RV’s. I would rather just spend the money on the nice hotel and drive out to see the pretty scenery during the day.
I do miss one thing about camping though and that is S’mores. The treat that I learned to love in Girl Scouts. Lucky for me, my Girl Scout troops rarely camped. Believed to come from the Girl Scout handbook in 1927 as “Some Mores” the concoction asked for “16 graham crackers, 8 bars plain chocolate (any of the good plain brands broken in two), and 16 marshmallows”. By 1940 it had involved into “4 squares plain chocolate (thin), 2 graham crackers, and one marshmallow. This recipe may be varied by using slices of apple (cut cross-wise) in place of the graham crackers; by using pineapple slices or peanut butter in place of chocolate.”
I am personally a purist. I just want the gooey marshmallow, chocolate and graham cracker…and for some reason, the cheaper the better.
So when Judy of Judy’s Gross Eats chose marshmallows as this weeks Tuesday’s with Dorie treat, I figured I would just cut out the middle man and put the S’more into the marshmallow. I have made marshmallows quite a few times. I love to make them at Christmas time to go into hot chocolate.
I have been fortunate enough that the weather has been chilly and so I made hot chocolate to enjoy with my marshmallows. If you  have never had homemade kind they really are worth it….especially in hot chocolate.
My husband and I are going camping this weekend in Portland. Granted we are camping from a four star hotel…but I’m sure will be roughing it! 😛

Marshmallows

Makes about 1 pound marshmallows

About 1 cup potato starch (found in the kosher foods section of supermarkets) or cornstarch

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

2 1/4-ounce packets unflavored gelatin

3 large egg whites, at room temperature

3/4 cup cold water

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon sugar

GETTING READY: Line a rimmed baking sheet — choose one with a rim that is 1 inch high — with parchment paper and dust the paper generously with potato starch or cornstarch. Have a candy thermometer at hand.

Put 1/3 cup of the water, 1 1/4 cups of the sugar and the corn syrup in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Once the sugar is dissolved, continue to cook the syrup — without stirring — until it reaches 265 degrees F on the candy thermometer, about 10 minutes.

While the syrup is cooking, work on the gelatin and egg whites. In a microwave-safe bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the remaining cold water (a scant 7 tablespoons) and let it sit for about 5 minutes, until it is spongy, then heat the gelatin in a microwave oven for 20 to 30 seconds to liquefy it. (Alternatively, you can dissolve the gelatin in a saucepan over low heat.)

Working in the clean, dry bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or in another large bowl with a hand mixer, beat the egg whites on medium-high speed until firm but still glossy — don’t overbeat them and have them go dull.

As soon as the syrup reaches 265 degrees F, remove the pan from the heat and, with the mixer on medium speed, add the syrup, pouring it between the spinning beater(s) and the sides of the bowl. Add the gelatin and continue to beat for another 3 minutes, so that the syrup and the gelatin are fully incorporated. Beat in the vanilla.

Using a large rubber spatula, scrape the meringue mixture onto the baking sheet, laying it down close to a short end of the sheet. Then spread it into the corners and continue to spread it out, taking care to keep the height of the batter at 1 inch; you won’t fill the pan. Lift the excess parchment paper up to meet the edge of the batter, then rest something against the paper so that it stays in place (I use custard cups).

Dust the top of the marshmallows with potato starch or cornstarch and let the marshmallows set in a cool, dry place. They’ll need about 3 hours, but they can rest for 12 hours or more.

Once they are cool and set, cut the marshmallows with a pair of scissors or a long thin knife. Whatever you use, you’ll have to rinse and dry it frequently. Have a big bowl with the remaining potato starch or cornstarch at hand and cut the marshmallows as you’d like — into squares, rectangles or even strips (as they’re cut in France). As each piece is cut, drop it into the bowl. When you’ve got 4 or 5 marshmallows in the bowl, reach in with your fingers and turn the marshmallows to coat them with starch, then, one by one, toss the marshmallows from one hand to the other to shake off the excess starch; transfer them to a serving bowl. Cut and coat the rest of the batch.

SERVING: Put the marshmallows out and let everyone nibble as they wish. Sometimes I fill a tall glass vase with the marshmallows and put it in the center of the table — it never fails to make friends smile. You can also top hot chocolate or cold sundaes with the marshmallows.

STORING: Keep the marshmallows in a cool, dry place; don’t cover them closely. Stored in this way, they will keep for about 1 week — they might develop a little crust on the outside or they might get a little firmer on the inside, but they’ll still be very good.

Smores Marshmallows:

After you add in the vanilla, fold in 1/3 cup crushed graham cracker crumbs. Carefully fold in 3 ounces of melted milk chocolate. Becareful not to incorporate the chocolate into the marshamallow, you are going for more of a ribbon effect.

 

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Comments

  1. I’m completely with your husband on camping. It’s got to be 4* or better, or I’m just not going! I did that whole camping thing years ago, as a girl guide (as we call them here), and it never converted me. I like my creature comforts! We never had an equivalent to S’mores, though – and I’m feeling like I missed out on something there… I’ll happily settle for these delicious-looking ‘mallows any time…

    Reply

  5. Peabody, I couldn’t agree more!! I used to be a Girl Scout, and would go camping… and hated every minute of it, haha. I’m a city-girl, and am NOT a fan of the outdoors (the woods and such, mostly) – give me a hotel ANY time, on trips!

    However, as you said, the s’mores WERE always worth all of those dreaded camping trips – thank goodness I can recreate them nowadays, with vegan versions of marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate :0)

    YOUR s’mores marshmallows look heavenly – enjoy your s’mores!

    Have a lovely “camping” trip to Portland!! ;0)

    Reply

  6. I’m one of those crazy girl scouts who loves to camp but a nice hotel isn’t a bad idea either…looks great! except did you ever burn you marshmallows over the fire…now that was good! 🙂

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  7. i opted out of the marshies this time, but your’s look so light and fresh, how delish they must have been!

    but for me, i’d much rather squat than pee in a public restroom. eww! hehe. are we really talking about pee on your blog? 😉

    Reply

  9. What a fun idea! I have been wanting to try making marshmallows ever since seeing Alton Brown do it on Good Eats but haven’t tried it yet.

    My husband didn’t grow up camping and I miss the idealized version I remember as a child – when I didn’t have to do any of the work!

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  11. I am with Ginny on burnt marshmallows Mmmmmm, not exactly up to gormands standards I am sure but still sticky, hot, sweet, smokey good 🙂 These are awesome! I can’t wait to try them. I am sure Little D will thank you profusely! Thanks again 🙂

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  13. I’ve never made marshmallows before….looks delicious. I hate camping for the reasons you’ve mention. But I do like gathering around the campfire to make smores and I love all the charcoal grilled food that gets cooked but that’s about it!

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  14. those look so delicious….smores have got to be the most all american-ish food….I say that becuase I love them and assume everyone else does too! fantastic job!

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  17. Oh yeah I do agree with your camping theory.
    I have never understood why some ppl are so excited for camping. My MIL sis go with her hubby every year for camping twice for 2 weeks and the thought it sell put me off.

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  19. Your S’mores Marshmallows look very scrummy! What a fantastic idea. I made peanut butter cookie s’mores out of mine, which were pretty good, but ohh, I have to try your version!

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  26. That is the most amazing marshmallow I have ever seen! I love the S’mores version. There is no need for a graham cracker or a hunk of chocolate (which annoy me anyway!).

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  29. I totally agree about the camping! Now someone just needs to convince my husband…

    Your marshmallows look amazing and I’m going to have to go try some with hot chocolate… even though it’s already a million degrees here! Great job, and great photos as usual!

    Reply

  30. I’m totally with your husband on the ‘camping’ bit, Peabody. Have done it once or twice, but never liked it. Last year S and I found ourselves stuck on an island for 2 nights with a tent – we survived the first night, but the second night we checked into the hotel on the island. And we weren’t the only ones doing that 🙂

    Never tried s’mores, but they sure look tasty!

    Reply

  31. I think I like both versions of camping – tent and 4 star depending on the mood… then again, I haven’t had to sleep in a tent in a long time, so who knows. Either way, these marshmallows as s’mores look awesome!

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  43. I married a guy who loves to camp, no wonder as it is much easier for men to deal with outdoor hygiene…but as long as we don’t go longer than a weekend, I am ok with it, especially if I make a big pot of chili and some s’mores. There is this great music festival in NC that we go to, weekend camping with a bunch of hippies and that is great fun! Especially if one brings homemade marshmallows! They look delicious! Love the graham cracker crumbed mug, S’mores-tini!

    Reply

  45. Oh yummys, yummys, yummys… love it. i made marshmallow over the weekend too but this one looks like the marshmallow with the s’mores included in them! Awesome!

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  46. Great variation! Every taste sensation in one bite. I’m also in total agreement about camping vs 4-star hotels. Why in the world would I want to sleep on sticks and stones and fight off wildlife? Get me on a cruise ship, and I’m in heaven.

    Reply

  47. I agree. I’m not a big fan of camping – BUT campfire cooking sounds so much fun. So I guess if I had a rockin’ computer-ed out RV trailer I’d go camping.

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  55. Hello there BakeSpace friend! I just noticed your picture on someone else’s post and thought it looked familiar…then I realized we’re bakespace pals and I haven’t even checked out your blog yet :). It’s absolutely edible – I love how 3d your pictures are! My husband is drooling over my shoulder staring at these treats you made :P! I’m so happy I stopped by, I’ll be back :0).

    Sophie

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  57. Yeah – I am not a nature girl. Running water and electricity must! But these marshamallows? oh buddy! Jet Puffed – look out! 🙂 Do they ship well? hee hee

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  61. I couldn’t wait to see these after I saw you mention that you made them on the TWD blog. They look so very delicious! I love how you put what I assume are graham cracker crumbs/pieces along the rim of the cup too. I really need to find a gelatin free marshmallow recipe so I can try out this smores version!

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  63. WOW! Great idea to put the s’more into the marshmallow! And I love the way you dipped your cup into the crumbs. Excellent! Makes me wish we hadn’t eaten all ours now!

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  64. I love the marshmallows and I think the only really good s’more have to be made with the homemade! But to just make them with the chocolate and graham crackers and marshmallows altogether, that’s genius!
    I love camping in a four star. The only way I can camp outdoors is with my plastic penis. Next time we have lunch I’ll have to bring it to show you.

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  65. I am so fond of marshmallows..but each time I made them it was a flop…should try your version..hope it turns out as good as what I see in the pic 🙂

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  66. Your hot chocolate looks amazing with your homemade marshmallows! Rimming the hot chocolate mug is a great idea! Have fun “camping”!

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  68. I love marshmallows, and accordingly – I LOVE smores. This is a brilliant idea. I can’t wait to try it…just need to go out and buy a candy thermometer.

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  74. When I was a girlscout it was when I lived in the city…and we never went camping…whew! Cuz I’d choose brunch with mimosa ever time!

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  75. smores marshmallows?! you are a genius 🙂 i would love to try something like that! mmmmm! you never cease to amaze me peabody 🙂

    Reply

  76. a few weeks ago, I went camping. It rained that night. Everyone kept going on about how the lightning was so cool, and the thunder was so neat rolling through the mountains…
    NO. It is NOT cool, when I’m laying on the ground, cold, and surrounded by trees. It was bad.

    I’m new to the blogging world, but I’ve loved your blog for awhile.
    I’ve been wanting to make marshmallows for a long time, yours look delicious:)

    Reply

  77. I have been camping once and now camping to me is also a four star hotel! Hiding food from bears is good for my emotional well being.

    What a great idea you had for the marshmallows. They look sooo good. Beautiful photos. Happy camping!

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  79. I hear your disapproving of camping. When I was little I was in Girl Scouts too and quit when I found outthat they go camping. Little 10-year-old me was like “Um…F that, gimme the cookies!!”

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  80. Sweetie is of the same mind about camping…he ‘camped’ for 3+years in the Peace Corps. These are the best looking homemade marshmallows yet. Great idea to combine the S’mores ingredients…simple but unusual.

    Reply

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