tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post5184674841078336415..comments2023-10-22T14:27:21.241+01:00Comments on From the Desk of Bee Drunken: Oh, Sugar! A virtual candy exchangeBeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-30775459159045319492008-12-23T15:00:00.000+00:002008-12-23T15:00:00.000+00:00Last minute Minnie, that's me! Here's my candied o...Last minute Minnie, that's me! Here's my <A HREF="http://nimblepundit.blogspot.com/2008/12/candied-orange-peel.html" REL="nofollow">candied orange peels</A><BR/><BR/>Thank you all for the holiday hospitality! A sweet 2009 to everybody.Nimblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16426446791363667887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-72551128447711852472008-12-18T08:59:00.000+00:002008-12-18T08:59:00.000+00:00Hi Cindy - Thanks for this! I'm always happy to l...Hi Cindy - Thanks for this! I'm always happy to learn about new candy.Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-14451474262958705272008-12-17T21:29:00.000+00:002008-12-17T21:29:00.000+00:00Hi Bee - It took me a while but I posted my contri...Hi Bee - It took me a while but I posted my contribution to your candy exchange. Enjoy!Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02388267373707402090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-1950384625509999042008-12-15T22:02:00.000+00:002008-12-15T22:02:00.000+00:00Yum!Yum!herhimnbrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01182397064631016552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-35084524494647780342008-12-15T19:25:00.000+00:002008-12-15T19:25:00.000+00:00K - You are a sweet little honey, even if you were...K - You are a sweet little honey, even if you were deprived of sugar for 20 years! I hope that the recipe works for you; I've never known it to fail.<BR/><BR/>Let me know if you make it, okay?Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-581053546513191852008-12-15T19:17:00.000+00:002008-12-15T19:17:00.000+00:00i looooove this idea bee! will join in soon!your r...i looooove this idea bee! will join in soon!<BR/><BR/>your recipe came at the perfect time, too, because someone sent me of those chain letter type email things for recipes. so, i just copied & pasted yours and it's off. i know it will bring a lot of christmas cheer!<BR/><BR/>i ADORE toffee, it's probably my favorite candy and i'm not a candy type of gal. unless it's lindor truffles or anything with nutella... so i'm excited to try this. i've only ever bought toffee, i don't even own a candy thermometer, but i've added one to my errand list for this afternoon. <BR/><BR/>i'm american, but not a huge sugar eater. when i'm having a craving it's usually for something salty. i grew up with hippie (well, as hippie as they could get away with in the suburbs) parents who didn't believe in having anything in the house with added sugar. i'd never eaten a candy bar until i met my husband at 19. my closest friend in the town where i live now is a huge candy freak so she has opened my eyes to lots of things sugar-wise. she's also a great cook and baker and this year spent an afternoon with me making spritzer cookies, sugar cutout cookies, and fudge. i want a day of sugary treat making to be my new holiday tradition.khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04172344270571916666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-15289997204279358962008-12-15T14:40:00.000+00:002008-12-15T14:40:00.000+00:00Minx - I know you are Cornish, but I cannot look a...Minx - I know you are Cornish, but I cannot look at the word "Merkan" without hearing George Bush's voice! (BTW, my English husband set my new Tom Tom to the hickiest Southern voice you can imagine. He thinks that is hilarious.) I think you are right: Americans probably do have more of a taste for sugar. It is probably because they put corn syrup in darn near all food products in the US of A. On the other hand, no one can beat the Brits for biscuit-eating. :)<BR/><BR/>I made some chutney, too, this Christmas. It seemed an appropriate gift in light of the economic downturn. Let them eat chutney! I'll take your word on the courgette pie.Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-72078246770805387032008-12-15T14:04:00.000+00:002008-12-15T14:04:00.000+00:00I think Merkans do have a sweeter tooth. My pre-Ch...I think Merkans do have a sweeter tooth. My pre-Christmas (Yule) bake usually consists of chutneys, rhubarb and courgette pies (yes, really) and the meanest cheese straws this side of England.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665385782194826703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-675630499104433382008-12-15T12:05:00.000+00:002008-12-15T12:05:00.000+00:00Thanks, Susanna! I've just added my two pence (an...Thanks, Susanna! I've just added my two pence (and maybe a bit more).Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-38565926946590778882008-12-15T07:42:00.000+00:002008-12-15T07:42:00.000+00:00Hi, I included you in the best of the British Mumm...Hi, I included you in the best of the British Mummy bloggers list ... you may want to put your two pence into the debate...http://tinyurl.com/5ueo9tAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-79119338446081819642008-12-14T22:11:00.000+00:002008-12-14T22:11:00.000+00:00Richie - I guarantee this will satisfy the sugar a...Richie - I guarantee this will satisfy the sugar addiction! Thanks for visiting.Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-51978342207790167432008-12-14T18:40:00.000+00:002008-12-14T18:40:00.000+00:00Hmmm...sounds yummy! Am a sugar addicted. Love it....Hmmm...sounds yummy! Am a sugar addicted. Love it...<BR/><BR/>Guess, I will try to make myself. Hope i handle making as yummy as yours.<BR/><BR/>Cheers for a good Sunday!Chubby Chiequehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02500584129872989230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-32507261387939409892008-12-14T18:03:00.000+00:002008-12-14T18:03:00.000+00:00Dave - Thank you! You are a sweetie. :)Laurie - M...Dave - Thank you! You are a sweetie. :)<BR/><BR/>Laurie - My grandparents used to say it, too. I guess it's a Southerism.<BR/><BR/>Bon Bon - Yes, I don't think that homemade candy is the dentist's favorite. I wonder if sweet-making is still on the UK Curriculum?<BR/><BR/>I've made Scotch Tablet before and it does make your teeth ache a bit! As for the calorie issue, I prefer to think that a little goes a long way . . . at least that's true for me. Speaking of calories, or Xmas, or your family -- we had the "Massacre in the Snowstorm" last night. (Remember the Eton Mess with pomegranites from last year?)<BR/><BR/>Anne - I'm going to check it out right now! (And then I will link you in.)<BR/><BR/>BSR - My mom and I tried divinity in England on Xmas two years ago, but we didn't get a good "scald" on it. The toffee seems to do pretty well, though -- as does the peanut brittle, which was a big hit with my in-laws this weekend. (I made another batch this morning for them to take home.)Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-36766910752647774092008-12-14T13:12:00.000+00:002008-12-14T13:12:00.000+00:00Bee - The more I think about it, I imagine you pro...Bee - <BR/>The more I think about it, I imagine you probably have the same humidity issues that I have.<BR/><BR/>Maybe that's why the Brits and the Irish don't do candy? <BR/><BR/>Divinity is devilishly hard in humid weather.Brave Sir Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11885043536453757210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-36993455250249805202008-12-13T21:18:00.000+00:002008-12-13T21:18:00.000+00:00Okay, my recipe is up! You're right about Quality ...Okay, <A HREF="http://beyondramen.blogspot.com/2008/12/truffles-virtual-candy-exchange.html" REL="nofollow">my recipe is up</A>! <BR/><BR/>You're right about Quality Street. I think that for my dad's family, it's less about the taste than nostalgia for their time in England, and that's been passed on to my generation as an association with family gatherings with my grandmother.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07338782102030629262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-26405186685722822482008-12-13T21:04:00.000+00:002008-12-13T21:04:00.000+00:00Quality Street at Xmas is so terribly English.I ca...Quality Street at Xmas is so terribly English.<BR/>I can't do a virtual candy exchange but I do recall "sweeties " being the first things I ever made as a child. I have memories of Coconut Ice/Peppermint creams/Fudge and Tablet:) The scottish version of fudge with a more grainy texture and way too much sugar. I will dig out my recipe. I still recall the scratch of the sugary squares on my teeth.<BR/>Tablet I made at home with Granny but the other sweets were done at school and my introduction to the culinary world. These eatable treatables were probably the easiest things to prepare in a class of 30 odd, 7 yr olds with runny noses as no baking is required. These recipes require only a few ingredients and strong right arm to do all the mixing. This was without doubt the start of a slippery slope for me towards sugar cravings and the demise of my molars. If I ate those confections now I would probably balk at the abundance of sugar and calories.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-54016793031370242582008-12-13T16:45:00.000+00:002008-12-13T16:45:00.000+00:00My Cajun grandparents always said "give me some su...My Cajun grandparents always said "give me some sugar." Needless to say, we all say it now...cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters. It's a wonderful thing. Sugar, that is. :)Lauriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04321713951006827527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-3510549622581239382008-12-13T15:02:00.000+00:002008-12-13T15:02:00.000+00:00Could anything be more mouth-watering? A most enjo...Could anything be more mouth-watering? A most enjoyable post.Dave Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08430484174826768488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-77509173299354701262008-12-13T10:18:00.000+00:002008-12-13T10:18:00.000+00:00Braja - I think that toffee might be a bit delicat...Braja - I think that toffee might be a bit delicate to survive the trip to India! But if you come to England anytime I will lay one a candy feast for you!<BR/><BR/>Susanna - Divinity! Fudge! How close do you live to Newbury? :)<BR/>BTW, I woke up this morning and the first words that popped into my head were, "The weather outside is frightful . . ."<BR/><BR/>Actually, I mostly still use cups when baking . . . but I put the recipe into ounces for the people who use scales. As you know, not so many Brits have the little plastic cup set!Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-42399479751338948402008-12-13T08:07:00.000+00:002008-12-13T08:07:00.000+00:00I've got a great divinity recipe, and fudge that I...I've got a great divinity recipe, and fudge that I can share...<BR/><BR/>Also, Bee, have you converted to British measurements (by weight) or do you still use cups?<BR/><BR/>I have a running debate with another American friend of mine here...<BR/><BR/>I still feel more comfortable with cups and she thinks the British measuring system is more practical...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-34804352512833085052008-12-13T02:11:00.000+00:002008-12-13T02:11:00.000+00:00Oh wonderful. OK, so I like my candy packaged in c...Oh wonderful. OK, so I like my candy packaged in chocolate colored tins, with big gold ribbons. Should I email you my address or .... I see I have double the chance of this happening because Alyson totally rocks too...♥ Brajahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07693196044262677095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-90500603021286561592008-12-13T00:48:00.000+00:002008-12-13T00:48:00.000+00:00BSR - We left some peanut brittle out on a plate t...BSR - We left some peanut brittle out on a plate the other day and I couldn't believe how quickly it got sweaty! Thank goodness I didn't delay candy-making until today . . . because it has been raining all day long.<BR/><BR/>Janey - You put your finger on something that puzzles me. The Brits and Irish do such good tea-time treats, but why not candy? I still long for my grandmother's divinity and Oklahoma Brown candy (kind of like fudge, but not really). They were once-a-year treats. (Speaking of burnt pans, I did a number on one of them tonight . . . trying to burn sugar for my black cake. I've been trying to dissolve the burnt mess for hours now.)<BR/><BR/>JAPRA - Your toffee looks beautiful. I am really impressed that you didn't even use a thermometer!!<BR/><BR/>Hi Texasbb!<BR/><BR/>Willow - It really is; I slightly overdid my second batch, but it is mellowing nicely.<BR/><BR/>Anne - I'm so looking forward to seeing what you post. I promise that I will make it, too. (But did you doubt that?)<BR/><BR/>How funny that you know about Quality Street! They now make large versions of the most popular ones (ie, "the big purple one") and sell them separately. They definitely have the nostalgia factor, but as for taste - meh.<BR/><BR/>Nimble - Funny you should mention candied orange peel because I was reading about it a few weeks ago and wondering if I should give it a go. I know exactly what you mean about the cinnamon! I'm constantly running out of cinnamon and ginger.<BR/><BR/>I don't think I ever got any of Beth R's toffee. Boo hoo.<BR/><BR/>Alyson - Are you feeling better today? My youngest daughter was SO ill with some nasty virus. (I'm praying that I don't get it as I have to deliver the big Xmas dinner tomorrow for my husband's family.)<BR/><BR/>I'm looking forward to comparing recipes! What if I like yours better than mine? When it comes to food, I'm not sure how far my loyalty will stretch.<BR/><BR/>Cindy - I'm so happy that you want to join in! You are from such a different part of the country than the bit I grew up in, and the different food traditions interest me.<BR/><BR/>Isn't it funny people used to "prize" their recipes and treat them like something top-secret? So many good recipes died out that way. Personally, I like to share the love. :)Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-55063581074962779782008-12-12T23:29:00.000+00:002008-12-12T23:29:00.000+00:00I love this idea! Especially since I don't have co...I love this idea! Especially since I don't have co-workers to do the traditional cookie exchange with this year. Or last for that matter. I will be posting something in the next couple of days and will let you know when it is there. <BR/><BR/>As for recipe sharing, it seems more prevalent today. My husband's grandmother would never share a recipe. If you liked something she would say, come over, I'll make it for you. My husband pines for her Chop Suey and that's one we will never have :(Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02388267373707402090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-9849892042995366572008-12-12T20:56:00.000+00:002008-12-12T20:56:00.000+00:00Happy birthday to your friend, Lucy!I'm going to h...Happy birthday to your friend, Lucy!<BR/><BR/>I'm going to have to pull out my toffee recipe and see how close the two are.<BR/><BR/>I like this idea of recipe exchange, especially when it has to do with Christmas candy! I'll post something next week!Alyson | New England Livinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16209837924378793507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-484915268092812945.post-21483468584324650912008-12-12T20:11:00.000+00:002008-12-12T20:11:00.000+00:00What fun. I love to hear what other people are exc...What fun. I love to hear what other people are excited about making, and eating. Toffee makes me think of Beth R. -- she made it in the Thomas dorm kitchen sometimes. <BR/><BR/>I've just made candied orange peel for the first time. So I'll get an entry ready about that and send you the link. It's too bitter for my kids but my husband and I love it. I'm going to do another batch to give to the relations in Austin. <BR/><BR/>I ran out of cinnamon last night making pumpkin bars. I couldn't believe I'd used it up so fast. It was a good sized container too. My girls like lots of it on oatmeal and applesauce.Nimblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16426446791363667887noreply@blogger.com