Day 14

PLEASE NOTE THE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS TO SEND YOUR ANSWERS TO. ANSWERS SENT TO THE WRONG ADDRESS WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE!! DO NOT SEND THEM TO jeremy@whatthehelldoesrantmean.com!!!

Guess my 14th favorite Christmas movie from this screenshot of the film. For an extra challenge, the quote from the blog title is now a quote from the previous day’s movie or special, not the current day, so you only have the screenshot to go by. Only your first guess counts. Send your guess to whatthehelldoesrantmean@yahoo.com. Also make sure to comment this post so your guess counts. Three points for the first to correctly guess the film or special, one point for all correct guesses afterwards. The person with the most points at the end of the contest gets a $50 Borders Gift Card for the new year.

Yesterday’s Answer

Congratulations to Brent for the right answer.

Holiday Interview

[11:03] Hobbes8u: So here’s another great Holiday interview. This time with my awesome co-worker Dorise.
[11:03] Hobbes8u: Favorite Childhood christmas present?
[11:03] Dorise: you know that was a long time ago right?
[11:03] Dorise: hmmmm … probably my 10 speed bike
[11:04] Dorise: although it was snowy and I could barely ride it that day!
[11:04] Hobbes8u: haha
[11:04] Hobbes8u: What’s you favorite holiday treat?
[11:04] Dorise: well if we’re talking treat .. as in sweet - it would have to be fudge w/nuts
[11:05] Dorise: but … I love egg nog & cheese balls
[11:05] Hobbes8u: oh good choice good choice
[11:05] Hobbes8u: Your best Christmas ever?
[11:05] Hobbes8u: That’s a tough one right
[11:05] Hobbes8u: haha
[11:06] Dorise: I’ll have to think for a minute
[11:06] Hobbes8u: no problem
[11:06] Hobbes8u: It was a hard one
[11:07] Hobbes8u: Do you have a favorite Christmas cuss word?
[11:13] Dorise: ok … favorite Christmas first … although I’m sure there were many
[11:13] Dorise: they all start to blur together after so long
[11:13] Dorise: but … the year my youngest was about 4
[11:13] Dorise: that would have made the others 9, 13 & 14
[11:14] Dorise: every package that she opened she said ‘oh … it was just what I wanted”
[11:14] Dorise: we were all in hysterics … so entertaining
[11:14] Hobbes8u: haha awesome
[11:14] Dorise: cuss word … nothing special for Christmas
[11:15] Dorise: I guess my most common would be ’shit’
[11:15] Dorise: it’s yucky I know
[11:15] Dorise: but … whatever
[11:15] Hobbes8u: no no I love it
[11:15] Hobbes8u: Any last Holiday thoughts you’d like to share with the readers?
[11:16] Dorise: SIMPLIFY … we have to … so we don’t go crazy
[11:16] Dorise: I love it all … but it can be soooo overwhelming
[11:16] Hobbes8u: Thank you so much!
[11:17] Dorise: Of course … you’re welcome!

Cashew Log Recipe (Mainly for Marci)

Caramel:

3 cups sugar
3 cups half-n-half
1 1/4 cups of corn syrup
1 cup butter
1 cup flour
Cashews(or whatever nuts you would like to use), roasted

Have all ingredients measured and ready to go to make this easier for you because you have to PAY ATTENTION!! Prepare a cookie sheet by buttering it and sprinkling the roasted cashews all over the surface(as many as you want) Mix sugar, corn syrup, and half of the half-n-half in pan. Cook to 215°. In another pan put remainder of half-n-half and heat til lukewarm. Add slowly to other sugar mixture and cook to 220°. Melt butter and add flour. Stir into caramel mixture stirring constantly til it reaches 225°. Pour into a buttered cookie sheet over the nuts. Let cool.

Fondant:

3 cups sugar
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients and blend using a silver(or stainless steel) spoon. Stir mixture vigorously until it boils. When it boils remove spoon and insert candy thermometer. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until thermometer reads between 228° - 230°. Remove thermometer and remove candy from heat. Set aside and let cool. Do not touch or move until cool. Stir (Use a wooden spoon for this) until the mixture loses its glossiness(Can take 10 minutes or so). The mixture will go opaque and not be shiny. Turn out and knead for a few minutes. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.

Cut caramels into 8 equal-sized rectangles. Divide fondant into eight pieces and roll into a log shape. Wrap caramel around the fondant and voila the cashew log. Wrap them in plastic wrap and then festively colored cellophane.

TIPS:

• When measuring sugar don’t tap or shake sugar to level it.
• Start cooking on a cold burner. Start all burners on high and reduce when candy boils.
• Don’t dip into candy while it is cooking.
• Cook nuts at 275° for 45 minutes, 300° for peanuts.

BONUS POINTS: Earn two points for posting a favorite holiday recipe. You can post it in comments or post it on your own blog and leave a link in comments. Good luck everyone! The bonus points are eligible for today and tomorrow only to give you time to post the recipe.