My mom recently sent me a letter sealed with a kiss. Yes, she kissed the back of the envelope with her lipstick on. It was adorable. With Valentine's Day just around the corner creating a kiss seemed just right. Chocolate and meringue I have done in the past, but what could be made without sugar and corn syrup?... Divinity made with honey! I love bees...
Divinity in the US is usually made with corn syrup and sugar but in Europe they have made it with honey since Roman times and they call it Nougat.
The recipe calls for 1 egg white, 3/4 cup of honey, 1/4 cup of water, 1 teaspoon of vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond and a 1/2 cup of chopped pecans. Click here to see the origional recipe.
In a sauce pan heat the honey, water and vinegar. Using a candy thermometer continue cooking until it reaches 244 degrees, as you can see that's a rapid boil, this should be done by an adult. Have a cup of cold water nearby and drop a few drop's of the mixture in, if it creates a hard ball, it is done. While the mixture is boiling whip your egg white to just short of stiff peaks. Add the boiling mixture slowly to the egg whites with the mixer on at whipping speed. Make sure to add slowly so no splash back occurs, it is very hot.
You will find that magic instantly occurs, right before your eyes. You are done when all the hot mixture has been added and it is light, fluffy and firm. Add the nuts,then just remove the mixture from the bowl a teaspoon at a time using your finger to guide it off and you have divinity kisses.
You can use different flavorings and different nuts to change the recipe. I found a large egg provided just the right amount of egg white. The amount of egg white is the tricky part of the recipe too much and the mixture does not harden firm, but it still tastes wonderful...
To Kisses received on the back of an envelope or eaten as a treat...
Happy Valentines Day from all of us at imagine childhood!
~Deb
P.S.don't forget to enter our book giveaway of Botany in a Day!
*Last time in Recipes: Mid-Winter Warmth