Wednesday, January 12, 2011

2 Snowy Treat Recipes For You

We have another snow storm today.  We are getting lots of the white stuff this winter, and really, it has only just begun.  You have to learn to love the snow in Maine, or at least tolerate it.  Snow shoeing, skiing, snow mobiling, sledding etc, etc. etc. must be part of your routine in order to find some fun in the feet of snow that fall.  The other side of the coin, is not so much fun.  The shoveling, the plowing, the ice, the cold wind.  Lots of indoor projects and chores get done during the winter and Spring and Summer are oh-so-sweet when they finally arrive. 

I have included 2 old fashion snow recipes to enjoy.  Snow Cream which is basically a quick sweet ice cream made from snow.    Sugar on Snow, maple syrup that is drizzled on snow and cools to a sticky candy.  Mmmmm. Both are absolutely delicious.    Of course, you can also do what my dad does and scoop some fresh snow into your finest glass and top with your best Scotch.   That is, if you even like Scotch!

(I have included a recipe below and also a link to The Fabulous Beekman Boys recipe,
this is their picture of Snow Cream)

Snow Cream

Basic Recipe

1 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
scant 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
large bowl of snow (about 3 quarts)

Blend milk, sugar and vanilla. Stir in enough snow to make snow cream to an ice cream consistency.

Variations - There are many variations for snow cream.
Substitute canned cream for milk for a heavier flavor.
Add Nestles Quik for a chocolate snow cream, or use instant cocoa mix.
Add plump raisins and cinnamon
Add chocolate chips or nuts
Puree an overripe banana and add to the mixture.
Get creative!

Note: ALWAYS - ALWAYS make sure the snow is clean. It takes at least one to two hours for snow to clean the pollutants from the air, then use only snow that has fallen after that first cleansing snow. It also goes without saying (but I will anyway), to make sure you do not collect the snow where animals and birds eat (or do other things). Cleanliness first. Stress that with the kids, because this is a treat even the younger ones can make for the whole family.


Sugar On Snow

When hot maple syrup is drizzled over snow, it results in a remarkably delicious candy-like substance that northern New Englanders crave. You must be very precise with your drizzle and the temperature of the syrup - too hot a syrup and the snow melts too fast - too cool a syrup and it becomes watery, straining through the snow to the bottom of the pot. The perfectly heated syrup will form a lace-like pattern across the top of the snow and quickly harden to be gobbled up by eager sugar-eaters.
Boil syrup to 255 degrees Fahrenheit. (make as much or as little as you want)

Scoop snow into large bowl or pan.

Drizzle hot maple syrup lightly over snow

Use forks to eat the sticky top layer.

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