Day two - Inspiration

Inspiration


According to dictionary.com, here are two definitions that suit my subject matter today.

a. divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul.

b. the divine quality of the writings or words of a person so influenced.

 

There have been many times during the creative process that I have opened myself up to the divine source of inspiration. I do my part. I read. I research topics online. I discuss ideas with friends. I even ask the Heavens for guidance.  Then sure enough, when I least expect it, lighting strikes my mind. 

 

For the past two weeks I have been on Christmas vacation. I did all the above mentioned activities trying to come up with a viable subject matter for a cookbook. I discovered there was a need for a few niche books on specific subjects....think, deviled eggs, chicken, veggies, appetizers. Then, while walking the dog yesterday, I mused dreamily about these "50 ways to make _____" books. I suddenly stopped in my tracks and said allow, "Is that it? That's what I am supposed to write?"

 

Everything clicked in my head. For years I have been collecting and writing recipes and variations. Even this very holiday season, my best friend and I made several varieties of super easy microwave nut brittle. She and I stood there in her kitchen one night making four batches and she asked, "What else could you put in brittle besides nuts?" Within just a few minutes we came up with several interesting flavor fusions and names. One idea was so brilliant I declared, "Send that s*@t to OPRAH"!!!!

 

Speaking of inspiration, I must say the voice of the muse has been swirling around my brain for this entire vacation. It's amazing how inspired you can be when you have no money left after all the Christmas gifts are purchased. Have you ever stood in front of the pantry/fridge/freezer and stared it hoping that somehow you will discover some hidden delicious morsel? I do it all the time. The pantry hasn't changed but I still stand there and hope I will suddenly have a great idea of how to combine what's in there into some tasty treat. It rarely happens despite how full the pantry/fridge/freezer are. 

However, this past week I conjured three recipes out of what I had laying around.  The first time I was craving something sweet and we had NOTHING ready made. "Arrrrg foiled again!", I complained allowed. Then just like magic, I stood there and started checking ingredients off in my head....saltines, chocolate chips, butter, brown sugar, salt and chopped pecans...YES! I had everything I needed to make Soda Cracker Candy (recipe to follow). 

 

The second time was yesterday and I was just plain hungry. I had masa harina (corn flour), ranch style beans with jalapenos, home style frozen meatballs (basically seasoned ground beef), shredded mozzarella cheese and some Sriracha hot sauce. Boom, instant Ghetto Gourmet nachos! 

 

This morning I stared at the same pantry and came up with a quick, delicious and nutritious breakfast of old fashioned oats, cinnamon, butter, mixed dried fruit, chopped pecans, agave nectar, honey, and salt.  I added a cup of coffee and felt like a freaking food network star.

 

I started to strut my stuff around the house, all proud of myself. Inspiration is funny like that. You start to think anything is possible and maybe it is, maybe it is! 

 

Soda Cracker Candy

 

Ingredients: 

1 sleeve of saltine crackers

2 sticks of unsalted butter

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon kosher salt (substitute: 1/2 teaspoon table salt) 

1 bag chocolate chips (12 oz.)

1 cup chopped nuts of your choice  

 

Tools:

rimmed cookie sheet

aluminum foil 

cooking spray

2 quart sauce pan

wooden spoon

offset spatula

 

Directions:

Cover the cookie sheet with aluminum foil and coat evenly with cooking spray. Line the cookie sheet with a single layer of the crackers and set aside.

Over medium high heat, melt the butter and brown sugar in the sauce pan. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon. You will notice that the butter and sugar are in two layers at this point. Bring to a full rolling boil. Once the mixture has turned into a cohesive syrup and you can't see the foam from the butter solids any longer, set a timer for 3 minutes. Your mixture will turn a lighter color and look slightly foamy and you should have large bubbles on the surface. After 3 minutes, remove from heat and slowly pour in the cream while stirring constantly. Add the vanilla and salt and stir to combine. Your caramel will smooth out and turn a deep golden brown.

Pour the caramel over the crackers and use the offset spatula to evenly coat all the crackers. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the hot caramel and let them melt on the surface for 3-5 minutes. Again, using the offset spatula, spread the melted chocolate over the caramel. Cover with your choice of chopped nuts. Slice almonds works nicely and is very traditional. I also like chopped pecans for a version of turtle candy. Toasted walnuts and even macadamia would be very nice. Let your imagination run wild.

Allow to cool completely. Then you can either cut them into squares using a pizza cutter or simply break them into irregular pieces. Store in a container with a tight fitting lid or zip top bag.

This recipe makes a great gift. Everybody loves them. And you look like a genius because you made candy from scratch.