Easy Marzipan Food

EASY VANILLA MARZIPAN

Steps:

• Mix the sugars and almonds in a large bowl, then rub in the vanilla seeds until even. Make a well in the middle, then tip in the eggs and citrus juice. Cut the wet ingredients into the dry with a cutlery knife. Dust the surface with icing sugar, then knead the marzipan briefly with your hands to a smooth dough. Don't overdo it as the paste can get greasy. Add a bit more icing sugar if it seems too wet. Shape into a ball, then wrap and keep in a cool place until ready to cover the cake. Can be made up to 2 days in advance.
• Lift the cake onto a cake board or plate, then use a pastry brush to cover evenly with a thin layer of jam. Dust the work surface with more icing sugar, then roll the marzipan into a circle about 40cm across, dusting underneath the marzipan with more icing sugar and turning it a quarter turn after every few pushes of the rolling pin.
• Flip the top of the circle back over your rolling pin so you can see the underside of the marzipan, then lift the pin up and lift the marzipan over the cake. Stop once you can see that the edge of the marzipan nearest you is about level with the bottom of the cake. Flop the front of the marzipan down. Smooth the paste over the cake using the palms of your hands, then trim with a sharp knife. If any cracks appear, simply pinch the paste back together and smooth. Leave to dry for at least 24 hrs, or up to 3 days, before covering with icing.
• How long does homemade marzipan keep? Although homemade marzipan contains raw eggs, the amount of sugar, and lack of moisture, prevents bacteria growing when left at room temperature, so your cake should last for 1-2 months iced. The most important thing is that you don't scrimp on drying time - once you've covered your cake in marzipan it should be left to completely dry out, before you then cover it with icing. If you want to make marzipan before you are ready to cover your cake, then wrap it well in cling film and keep in a fridge for up to a week - as wrapped in a ball it will still contain a little moisture. As it contains raw eggs it shouldn't be given to anyone in an at-risk group, including pregnant women, the elderly, the unwell and the very young. You can make a cooked marzipan, which carries no risks. It is a little softer, and harder to work with, but a good substitute if you are at all worried.

EASY HOMEMADE ALMOND PASTE (MARZIPAN)

Steps:

• Using a food processor grind the almonds into a fine powder (this should take about 2 minutes).
• Add in the confectioners sugar and blend well.
• Transfer the mixture to a bowl.
• Using a wooden spoon blend in the egg whites and vanilla (if using) until smooth.
• On a flat surface lightly dusted with confectioners sugar, roll out the almond paste into a 14" x 1-2" log.
• Wrap in parchment paper and chill for a minimum of 1 hour.
• When rested, cut the log in two pieces.
• Wrap in wax paper and chill.

GERMAN HOMEMADE MARZIPAN

Steps:

• Place almonds in a heat-proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Let stand for a few minutes until cool enough to handle. Slip the almonds out of their skins one by one, leaving the remaining almonds in the warm water. Drain almonds in a colander.
• Place almonds and confectioners' sugar in the food processor fitted with a metal blade and process to a paste. Add cold water, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon at a time, if the paste is too dry. Scrape the sides a few times to ensure even processing. Add a few drops of almond extract towards the end of the process. Process marzipan until it is smooth and no longer grainy. Wrap in plastic wrap and store in a cool, dry place.

MARZIPAN

Steps:

• In the bowl of an electric mixer, add the almond paste and beat just to break up the almond paste some. Add about 1 cup of the sugar and mix until it is incorporated. Add the remaining sugar and beat until incorporated. The mixture will look like coarse bread crumbs at this point. Add the corn syrup and mix to combine well. The mixture will still be very crumbly.
• Turn the mixture out onto a clean work surface and knead until it makes a smooth dough. If the dough seems too sticky, knead in a little more confectioners' sugar. The dough can be tightly wrapped and refrigerated at this point. If you want to color the marzipan, break off the amount of dough you want colored. Add a drop and knead in. For more intense color, add more food coloring. Shape into desired shapes.

EASY MARZIPAN COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to around 180°C or 356°F. Prepare two baking trays with baking parchment. You might want to warm the marzipan for 30 seconds in the microwave to make it smoother to work it. This avoids lumps in the dough.
• Using a hand or stand mixer, combine the butter and marzipan to a smooth mass.
• One by one add in the sugar, vanilla sugar and almond essence. Mix until everything is combined.
• Now add the eggs one by one into the mass. The mixer should be on its highest setting for 30 seconds while you add them.
• Combine the flour and corn starch/corn flour. Sieve the flour mixture. Add the dry ingredients to the dough in two separate portions. Mix after adding each portion. The mixer should be set at medium speed.
• Now add the dough in little amounts to the piping bag or cookie press (whichever you are using)
• Pipe the cookies in circles onto the prepared baking tray. They should be around 5 cm in diameter. Bake for around 10-15 minutes until the cookies are firm.
• Pull them (with the baking parchment) off the hot tray.
• Once the cookies cooled down you can dust them with icing sugar. Another alternative is to dip them into some melted dark chocolate.

FIVE-MINUTE MARZIPAN

Steps:

• 1. If using a stand mixer: Combine the almond paste, confectioners' sugar, and 1 tablespoon of the brandy in the mixing bowl. Mix on low speed until everything is completely incorporated and the dough is smooth and pliable, about 5 minutes.
• If using your hands: Form the almond paste into a flat round on your work surface. Dust half of the confectioners' sugar over the round and begin kneading it into the paste, folding the paste over on itself repeatedly. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the brandy over the dough and knead it in. Once it's incorporated, dust the remainder of the sugar over the dough and knead until it's completely incorporated.
• 2. The dough should be uniform and pliable. If it's dry, add a few more drops of flavoring (or warm water) and knead until it's at the desired consistency; if it's sticky, a little more confectioners' sugar.
• Store marzipan, wrapped very well in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for at least 3 months.

EASY HOMEMADE MARZIPAN

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade, add blanched almonds and powdered sugar. Process until mixture comes together. If the mixture is too dry add one teaspoon of water at a time and continue to process until smooth. Add 1/4 teaspoon almond extract.

MACARONI SALAD VIRGINIA STYLE

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, mix together butter, tarragon vinegar, flour and egg. Stirring continuously, heat 10 minutes, or until the mixture begins to thicken. Remove from heat and allow to cool 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, prepare the sauce by combining the tarragon vinegar mixture with mayonnaise.
• Place eggs in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.
• Bring a large saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and pour into the bowl with the sauce. Stir until the macaroni is well coated.
• Mix the coated macaroni with the eggs, cucumber, tomato, green bell pepper and salt.