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Monday, April 20, 2015
Saturday, April 11, 2015
How to Make Caramel 2015
How to Make Caramel
This incredibly rich, yet simple, sauce will take your favorite desserts to a whole new level of deliciousness, and with steps this easy, there's almost no reason not to try it.
Step 1
GATHER YOUR INGREDIENTS
Get your ingredients ready before you begin, because once you start, things move fast. You’ll need: 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup water, 3/4 cup heavy cream, 3 tablespoons butter and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Equipment-wise, you’ll need a heavy-bottomed pot, a spoon and a whisk.
TIP
You can use a candy thermometer for added assurance, but with caramel, visual cues can often be a better indicator than temperature.
Step 2
DISSOLVE THE SUGAR IN WATER
Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved and has begun to boil. Once the sugar has completely dissolved (it should look clear), you can stop stirring and let the mixture boil undisturbed.
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If you're using a candy thermometer, attach it to the side of the pot so that the bulb of the thermometer is submerged in the sugar, but not touching the bottom of the pot.
Step 3
ALLOW THE MIXTURE TO CARAMELIZE
As the sugar mixture boils, the water will evaporate and the mixture will start to change color. This color change signals the caramelization process, which gives caramel its deep, rich flavor.
If sugar crystals build up on the walls of the pot as the mixture boils, brush the sides with a wet pastry brush to dissolve the sugar back into the pot.
Step 4
REMOVE THE SUGAR FROM THE HEAT
When the sugar mixture reaches a deep amber color, that's when it's time to stop (about 7 to 10 minutes, depending on the heat level). If you're using a candy thermometer, the sugar should reach about 340 degrees F.
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The sugar can go from amber to burnt in the blink of an eye, so make sure to watch it closely once it starts to change color.
Step 5
ADD THE CREAM
Carefully pour the heavy cream into the caramelized sugar and whisk until the mixture is smooth. The hot sugar will really bubble when it comes into contact with the cream, so pour with caution.
Step 6
ADD THE BUTTER & SALT
Lastly, add the butter and salt, and whisk until smooth. For added flavor, you can also stir in some vanilla extract.
Step 7
SERVE & ENJOY
If you just can't wait, the caramel can be used immediately, but beware of the temperature. Nothing burns your mouth worse than molten sugar. Drizzle the good stuff over dessert bars, pies, breads, pudding, ice cream and even coffee.
How to Make a Walking Frito Pie 2015
How to Make a Walking Frito Pie
These unique self serve party snacks combine chili and other Tex-Mex toppings right inside a bag of corn chips for a quick, mess-free snack. The best part? Since the chip bag is used as a make-shift dish, there's virtually no cleanup once the party's over.
Step 1
MAKE CHILI
Walking Frito Pie starts with a batch of your favorite chili. Beans or no beans, any chili will work. Plan on providing about a half cup of chili per Frito pie and one to two Frito pies per guest.
Step 2
GATHER YOUR TOPPINGS
Next, prepare your toppings. The sky's the limit here, but topping commonly used on nachos or tacos will be a great fit. Think shredded lettuce, cheese, sour cream, green onions, jalapeños and cilantro.
Step 3
OPEN YOUR CHIPS
There are two ways to open the chip bags for walking Frito pie. Opening the top of the chip bag is quick and easy, but the smaller opening makes it a little harder to eat. The better way is to turn the bag on its side and cut it along the long edge with a pair of scissors so the opening is nice and big.
TIP
Before opening the chip bag, give it a quick squeeze to slightly crush the chips. This helps them mix with the other ingredients and make the chips a more fork friendly size.
Step 4
MAKE A DISPLAY BAG
Display the bags of corn chips for your guests with plenty of forks and napkins, plus an example bag to help get the ball rolling.
Step 5
ASSEMBLE & ENJOY
Surround the chips with the prepared toppings, keep the chili warm in a slow cooker near by, and let your guests go to town. With less effort required on your part, these self-serve Walking Frito Pies will let you to get out of the kitchen and enjoy the party.
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