Marshmellow Fondant ala Holly

16 ounces white mini marshmallows (use a good quality brand)

2 to 5 tablespoons water

2 pounds icing sugar (please use C&H Cane Powdered Sugar for the best results)

½ cup Crisco shortening (you will be digging into it so place in a very easily accessed bowl)

NOTE: Please be careful, this first stage can get hot.

Melt marshmallows and 2 tablespoons of water in a microwave or double boiler: Put the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds, open microwave and stir, back in microwave for 30 seconds more, open microwave and stir again, and continue doing this until melted. It usually takes about 2 ½ minutes total. Place 3/4 of the powdered sugar on the top of the melted marshmallow mix.

Now grease your hands GENEROUSLY - palms, backs and in between fingers, then heavily grease the counter you will be using and dump the bowl of marshmallow/sugar mixture in the middle. (By the way, this recipe is also good for your hands. When I’m done, they are baby soft - if dye is involved then smurfy blue too LOL.) it takes an entire little vial of food coloring to get it to bright vibrant colors.

Start kneading like you would bread dough. You will immediately see why you have greased your hands. If you have children in the room they will either laugh at you or look at you with a questioning expression.

Keep kneading, this stuff is sticky at this stage! Add the rest of the powdered sugar and knead some more. Re-grease your hands and counter when the fondant is sticking. If the mix is tearing easily, it is to dry, so add water (about ½ tablespoon at a time then knead it in). It usually takes me about 8 minutes to get a firm smooth elastic ball so that it will stretch without tearing when you apply it to the cake.

Its best if you can let it sit, double wrapped, overnight (but you can use it right away if there are no tiny bits of dry powdered sugar). If you do see them, you will need to knead and maybe add a few more drops of water.

Prepare the fondant for storing by coating it with a good layer of Crisco shortening, wrap in a plastic- type wrap product and then put it in a re-sealable or Ziploc bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible. It can last in the fridge for a couple of weeks.

it is really messy to make, I use a greased silpat sheet to knead it out

Prosciutto Wrapped Herbed Shrimp

INGREDIENTS
• 24 large Shrimp (Peeled & Deveined)
• 1 tablespoon Garlic (Minced Fine 15ml)
• 2 teaspoons Lemon Zest (Chopped Fine 10ml)
• 2 tablespoons Dill (Weed - Chopped Fine 30ml)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh Tarragon (Leaves Chopped Fine 30ml)
• 12 sheets Prosciutto (Sliced Paper Thin Cut In Half - Lengthwise)
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (30ml)
• Pepper (To Taste)

Method
1. In a medium bowl place shrimp, zest, garlic, dill, and tarragon; toss to coat and add pepper.
2. Cut the prosciutto slices in half lengthwise.
3. Wrap each shrimp in a half-slice of prosciutto. Brush liberally with the olive oil.
4. Place in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
5. Prepare barbecue for direct grilling. Preheat grill to medium heat. Oil grill well.
6. Place shrimp on the grill and cook for approximately 2 - 3 minutes per side.
7. The prosciutto should be golden brown and crispy and shrimp will have lost their opaque color. Yields 24 pieces.

Pineapple Wasabi Aioli

SERVES 10 , 1 cup (change servings and units)

Ingredients
12 ounces pineapple juice (2 small cans)
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon wasabi paste (from tube)

Directions
1 Bring pineapple juice to a boil and then simmer to reduce for 20 minutes or so. Consistancy should be similar to honey.
2 Mix together mayo, sour cream, soy and wasabi.
3 Add pineapple juice reduction after it has cooled to room temperature.
4 Refrigerate at least 3 hours.
5 This is best when made the day before in order to let all the flavors marry and have a good chill.

Creamy Curried Veggies

INGREDIENTS
1 large onion, sliced
2-6 cloves garlic, minced
1-3 large carrots, diced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium potato, cubed
1-1/2 cups cauliflower florets, sliced
6-8 mushrooms, sliced
1 tbsp curry powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 cup coconut milk or soy milk
pinch of cayenne pepper
1 cup peas
3 tbsp Braggs or soy sauce

DIRECTIONS
1. In a large saucepan, sauté the onions, garlic, and carrots in oil on medium-high heat until the onions become translucent. Add the vegetables, curry, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne, stirring often so they don't stick to the pan, cooking for 2-4 minutes.
2. Add the milk, cover, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes can be pierced easily with a fork.
3. Stir in the peas and Braggs (or soy sauce), and cook uncovered on medium-high heat stirring constantly until the liquid has thickened.
2. Serve over rice or noodles.

Note: you can use whatever vegetables you have kicking around (e.g., spinach, kale, green onions).

Minty Watermelon Lemonade

Makes about 8 cups

Ingredients

* 2 Lemons, Quartered
* 1 cup Fresh mint leaves
* ½ Medium watermelon (about 9 lbs.), rind removed, cut into chunks
* add agave, or other sweetener to taste

Preparation

1. Squeeze lemons into a large pitcher; add squeezed lemon quarters. Add mint and sweetener; mash with a wooden spoon until mint is bruised

2. In a blender, puree watermelon in batches until smooth; pour through a fine-mesh sieve into pitcher. Stir to combine. Serve with ice.

*Stays for about 3 days in the fridge


Can add 1/4 - 1/2 Cup Vodka or White Rum ... or for a more exotic taste 1/3 c silver patron. Keep some fresh mint leaves and curl up some lemon rind for garnish.

YUMMY!!

Cayenne-Spiced Chocolate Brownies

Chef's Corner
A Delicious Cayenne-Spiced Chocolate Brownie and Almond Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich with Sweet Cherry Compote

Below are several recipes that can be used individually, or in concert. You can serve traditional, square-cut brownies for an after school treat; and the ice cream could be served alone or with the Cherry Compote as a simple, but delicious dessert. Here, we are serving all of them together for an over-the-top, you-are-worth-it special occasion dessert!

Cayenne-Spiced Chocolate Brownies
Serves 8

4 cups walnuts, soaked 8–12 hours, then dehydrated
1/2 cup pitted soft dates, chopped
1/2 cup dried figs, soaked 15 minutes, drained, and chopped
2 tablespoons coconut oil, warmed to liquid
1 cup cocoa powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
pinch solar-dried sea salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

1. Place the walnuts in a food processor and pulse until they reach the consistency of meal.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and continue processing until it is well mixed and sticky. The mixture should hold together when pressed into a ball. If oil begins to separate from the mixture, it is over processed. You may still use it, but it is not the desired effect.
4. Divide the mixture in half and press each half firmly into an 8- x 8-inch brownie pan lined with unbleached parchment paper. Cover and chill.
5. Cut each pan of brownies into 8 equal pieces, 4 inches x 2 inches.
May be stored in the refrigerator for 1 week or in the freezer for 1-2 months.

Almond Vanilla Ice Cream
Yield: 5 cups (serves 8)

2 cups almonds, soaked 6 to 8 hours, rinsed, and drained (see note)
2 cups purified water
1 1/2 cups cashews, soaked 4 hours, rinsed, and drained
1 cup agave nectar
2 1/4 teaspoons psyllium powder
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
pinch of solar-dried sea salt

1. Blend the almonds with the purified water in a high-powered blender to make a thick almond cream. Strain the mixture through a cloth mesh bag, and store the pulp for another use.
2. Return the strained milk to the blender, add the cashews and other remaining ingredients, and blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Spread the mixture firmly into two 8 x 8-inch brownie pans, each lined with unbleached parchment paper. Cover and freeze for at least 12 hours, or until firm.
4. Cut the frozen ice cream into 8 equal pieces, each one 4 inches x 2 inches.
May be stored in a sealed container in the freezer for up to 1-2 months.

Note: Store leftover almond pulp in the freezer for up to four months. Use in breads, cookies, croutons, cinnamon rolls, and scones.

Cherry Compote
Makes 2 cups (serves 8)

3 cups (30 ounces) frozen organic cherries, thawed and drained.
1/4 cup pitted dates
1/4 cup lemon juice

1. To make the compote, blend 1 cup of the cherries with the dates and lemon juice.
2. Stir the mixture into the remaining cherries.

Jamaican Jerk Sauce

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup ground allspice berries
* 1/2+ cup packed brown sugar
* 6 to 8 garlic cloves
* 4 to 6 Scotch bonnet peppers
* 1 tablespoon ground thyme or 2 tablespoons thyme leaves
* 2 bunches scallions (green onions)
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 2 tablespoons soy sauce to moisten

Preparation:
Place allspice, brown sugar, garlic, scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, scallions, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and soy sauce in a food processor and blend until smooth.

You may use allspice berries, if available, but use enough to give the equivalent of 1/2 cup ground. (Allspice berries and scotch bonnets are key ingredients.) Keep this sauce refrigerated and it will keep forever. Feel free to increase the hot peppers and garlic.

The traditional sauce doesn't have brown sugar.. and but you can add the brown sugar and a 2 tablespoons of vinegar to give that sweet and sour taste *omit the soy*.