Torrone Mess Food

HOT SOUTHERN MESS

Steps:

• For the pimento cheese: Mix together the mayonnaise, granulated garlic, cayenne, pimentos and sprinkle of salt and black pepper in a large bowl until well blended. Add the Cheddar and mix thoroughly. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight for the best flavor.
• For the slaw: Whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, celery salt, salt and black pepper in a large bowl until smooth. Add the cabbage and mix well. Refrigerate overnight. Preheat the grill.
• Grill the weenie. Place the weenie in the bun and top with 2 tablespoons of the pimento cheese, 2 tablespoons of the slaw and the relish.

TORRONE

Steps:

• Combine sugar, corn syrup and water in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until a candy thermometer temperature registers 260 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, in an electric mixer, beat egg whites to form stiff peaks. When sugar reaches 260 degrees F, slowly pour in a thin stream into egg whites, while the mixer is running. Add extracts, beat on medium speed for 13 minutes, then fold the candied fruit into the mixture. Mix for another 2 minutes, then fold in 1/2 cup of the almonds. Pour mixture into 9-inch square cake pan sprayed with baking spray or butter the pan and then dust with flour. Top with remaining almonds and additional candied fruit.
• Let sit overnight, then cut into serving pieces.

TORRONE 'MESS'

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
• Mix together the marshmallow creme and marmalade with a rubber spatula in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Spread the almonds and pistachios on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast in the oven just until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the warm nuts and salt to the bowl with the marshmallow creme and fold everything together. Divide the mixture evenly among 8 serving dishes and cool to room temperature. Grate the chocolate over the top just before serving.

TORRONE (ITALIAN NUT AND NOUGAT CONFECTION)

Steps:

• Line an 8x11-inch baking dish with plastic wrap, allowing ends to hang over the sides. Place 1 sheet of 8x10 wafer paper in the bottom of the pan. Keep the roasted almonds and pistachios in a warm place until ready to add at the end. This makes it easier to mix them in.
• Pour honey into a heavy-bottomed pot. Add sugar. Mix and stir over low heat with a spatula, stirring constantly until mixture turns from grainy to silky and smooth, about 30 minutes. Remove pot from heat.
• Place the egg whites in a mixing bowl; add a pinch of salt. Whisk until whites form soft peaks, 3 to 4 minutes. Place pot back on low heat. Gradually whisk about a quarter of the whipped egg whites into the honey/sugar mixture; whisk in the remaining egg whites in 3 more batches.
• Continue cooking over low heat, stirring constantly with a spatula until mixture turns a brighter white and a ribbon of the mixture does not immediately incorporate back into the rest of the mixture and stays intact on the surface for a while. This will take about 40 minutes. You can add a few drops of the mixture into a small bowl of ice cold water to test the consistency; ideally it should feel like soft clay.
• Whisk in vanilla and lemon zest. Add warm almonds and pistachios and stir to incorporate evenly.
• Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Even out as best you can with a clean oiled spatula. Top with 2nd sheet of wafer paper, shiny side up. Cover with plastic wrap and press down evenly, tamping mixture down gently but firmly. Remove top layer of plastic.
• Allow torrone to sit at room temperature until cool, firm, and ready to cut, 1 or 2 hours. Lift torrone from baking dish with the edges of the bottom layer of plastic wrap. Invert and remove plastic from the bottom. If the plastic wrap is difficult to remove from the edges of the torrone, you can trim off the edges.
• Cut torrone into 1-inch squares using a sharp serrated knife.