Almost Made It Marshmallows

I didn’t choose an obvious or easy path or, really, a path at all. More, a wild meandering intent on avoiding water cooler talk and florescent lights. I’ve never had a promotion or a bonus and benefits are a vaguely familiar concept I often hear people on the TV complain about. I don’t think I commute and I rarely conference.  Career goals aren’t a razor sharp idea constantly pulsating in my mind. Accomplishment usually comes in the form of a warm and fuzzy feeling somewhere around my navel. I definitely haven’t “made it” but that doesn’t mean I’m not trying to or that I’m impossibly far off.

When people ask me what I do, I’m never really sure what to say. I rattle-off,  “hostess, recipe tester, personal assistant, caterer, blogger, photographer….Oh! And writer, for a magazine.” Seeing my name in print makes me feel like I’m close to made.

Each month I travel, research, write, edit, delete, rewrite, re-rewrite and submit an article to be printed in an actual magazine about an actual town. The process is never easy.  For me, writing comes and goes. I dive deep into dark holes of research and resurface blurry-eyed hours, sometimes days, later. My finger is always twitching over the rewind button on my recorder as I try to remember how many times I’ve listened to an interview. I’ve got to get the perfect quote, sentiment, idea.

The task can be tiring but it is certainly worth it.

When it’s all said and done, I can’t wait for the new issue to hit stands. That’s the best part. When it does, I take a  long drive to the little town for a fresh copy (or two…or six) and a chocolate-covered marshmallow from the little candy shop. That’s my reward. I sit in my parked car to read and snack. “By Kaitlin Hill,” would ya look at that! Is there anything better? Not much; but, a fluffy marshmallow, hinted with vanilla and the snap of the chocolate coating, comes very close.  It’s the perfect treat for another month, another byline, another step closer to…well almost making it.

Until I’ve made it, I’ll make these. I hope you will too.

You only need a few ingredients to make excellent, fluffy, melt in your mouth marshmallows. A little corn syrup, some gelatin, bit of sugar and whatever flavoring you want. Full list below!

The first step is to soften your gelatin in 1/2 a cup of cold water. It may not look like enough water but it works – trust me!

While the gelatin is softening, combine the sugar and corn syrup with another 1/2 cup of water in a small sauce pan. Cook over medium – high heat until the mixture is 240°F. Be careful, this stuff is super hot!

Pour the hot sugar-water over the gelatin.

Immediately start mixing. You can use a stand or hand mixer with a whisk attachment. Continue to beat the mixture for 10 – 15 minutes until it is thick, shiny and opaque.

It will look like thick glue…smell like it too. Add your flavoring of choice (see my note below).

I used 2 smaller containers because I made two flavors. It is enough marshmallow to fill one 8 x 12 inch or two smaller…I think these were 7 x 9 inch ones. Whatever you use, dust it liberally with confectioner’s sugar.

Pour in the marshmallow mix and let sit, uncovered, at room temperature over night.

The next day, pry your marshmallows out of the containers – it’s tricky but they do come loose – and cut into squares.

Look at how fluffy they are!

Melt 20 ounces of chocolate (dark, milk or semi-sweet, it’s your choice) and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil together in a double boiler. Dip the marshmallows in the chocolate with a fork and then transfer to a wire rack to drain the excess chocolate. Before the chocolate hardens completely, transfer to a cookie tray lined with parchment. Place in the fridge and chill for 20 minutes until the chocolate is set.

It may not look like much but after a long week of trying to “make it” – a little treat goes a long, long way.

It’s like biting into a chocolate covered cloud!