I don't follow a religion to find peace, but if I did, it would involve toasting marshmallows.
I had never toasted them over a fire before. Honest. I learned quickly though and then became obsessed. There are apparently as many preferences in the way marshmallows are done as there are ways bagels can be cheesed - and everyone's preference is the ONLY correct one.
My tactic involved heating the marshmallow until it was uniformly warm inside; an endpoint only gleaned from experience. The appearance helps also. As it puffs, it acquires a type of tiled appearance. Once warm, the marshmallow is lowered closer to the flame to achieve the final browning.
Browning - not blackening.
But, this is the tricky part. Once the marshmallow begins to brown, it loses its hold on the marshmallow stick (another post entirely). Balancing this browning with the weakening grip is the final stage of achieving the perfect treat. Just as it's slightly brown, puffed and hot you must eat it right off the stick. While contemplating the joy of this treat though, you have to start on the next one. It is totally addictive.
Let me know your marshmallow preferences in the comments.
(I recently altered the font size in the comments; should be easier to read now.)
Dave,
ReplyDeleteLove the new look. I especially love the fact that you have an Atom feed now. It is so much easier to follow a blog through syndication. I had missed your marshmallow entry until you did.
You cannot really be telling me that it was only a few weeks ago that you had your first? I like mine just light brown on the outside and just warmed through. If they go past my perfect color, I just stick them in the flame and let them catch fire, then pull them out and let them burn themselves out. Once this happens, the burned part cools quickly and pulls cleanly from the molten part beneath. Eat the burned part -- it is still good -- and start anew with the part beneath. :-)
Hi Mark,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment. I'm a hack so I'm committed to a template. I don't like it much but I'm working on tweaking another one. I like utilitarian layouts with no color. It's just me. I'm also begging blogger routinely to add categories. Someday.
Yes it's true. I hadn't had a toasted marshmallow until that time. Honest. But I'm ready to make a campfire in my backyard to have more. I'm hooked. Take care.