As the East coast dug themselves out of the snow, we here in the Midwest geared up for our own snowfall.  While we certainly didn't endure the "storm of the century" we did get a snow day.  As a former teacher, I think I am predisposed to like snow days.  I think I am one of few parents who actually do.  

The fact is, I love snow.  It is so clean and pure and lovely.  I see it as a gift from God.  It's his way of telling us to slow down, you're going too fast.  Some of us take this to heart and hunker down but most of us, dig out our shovels or snow blowers and clear pathways on our sidewalks and driveways.  We complain about the too slow snowplows and bad drivers.  

However, the sensible among us do what God intended.  We play.  We make snowballs for our dog to chase.  We build snow people and snow angels.  We make forts and slide down snow-covered slides into a pile of snow.  We do this until our hands and faces and feet hurt and then we come inside to warm up.

And that is exactly what we did yesterday -- my three girls and me.  We bundled up in our warmest winter wear and we played.  Not for long.  Norah's boots wouldn't stay on and she kept taking off her mittens.  Melanie fell, face first, in the snow.  Still...we played and then we drank.  Homemade hot chocolate and homemade marshmallows. 

Both of these recipes come from a new (new for me anyway) cookbook from Williams Sonoma called Family Meal.  This is a gorgeous book with beautiful photographs and scrumptious recipes.  Many of the recipes are for things you'd normal buy like ricotta cheese, yogurt, egg dye, and bacon.  And all of it is family-friendly with lots of ways to get kids involved.  There is a ton of information in here too -- a great read!  It is broken down into categories such as dairy, eggs, fruit, chicken, and sugar, spice, and chocolate -- which is where you'll find the recipes for marshmallows and hot chocolate.

We made the marshmallows first.  Although the recipe calls for them to sit over night before cutting, we skipped that part and had not trouble with them at all.  The recipe was pretty much the same as others I've tried.  The only difference is that this one actually worked for me.  The marshmallows came out soft and pillowy and delicious.  When they were in the hot chocolate they were downright ethereal.  They were creamy and airy and just melted in your mouth almost like whipped cream but with a little more substance.  They are a bit more sophisticated than their store-bought equivalents so they'll please the adult palate but sweet and yummy enough for the kid in all of us.  Coupled with the fabulous hot chocolate -- it's a treat not to be missed.  Snow day or not!

Homemade Marshmallows
From William-Sonoma Family Meals

1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup water 
1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

in a small bowl, sift together the cornstarch and confectioners' sugar.  Line a 9 x 13 pan with aluminum foil and then lightly oil the foil.  Sift 1/4 cup of the cornstarch-sugar mixture into the pan.  Leave any excess in the bottom.


Pour the water into the bowl of a stand mixer.  Sprinkle the gelatin over the water, whisk together and let stand for 5 minutes to soften.  Whisk in the salt and cream of tartar.  Fit the mixer with the whisk attachment and beat on high until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.


Put 1/2 cup water into a saucepan.  Stir in the granulated sugar and the corn syrup.  Place over medium-high heat, bring to a boil, and cook without stirring until it turns pale tan, about 250 degrees (firm ball stage). 


Turn the mixer on medium speed and drizzle the hot sugar syrup into the gelatin mixture, aiming between the beater and the side of the bowl.  Be very careful!


Increase the speed to high and whip the mixture until it is white and thick, about 5 minutes.  Add the vanilla and beat until the mixture cools, about 20 minutes.


Pour into the prepared pan.  Dip a palette knife in cold water and smooth the surface.  Let a skin form on the surface, about an hour.  Dust with 1/4 cup of the cornstarch-sugar mixture.  Let rest overnight at cool room temperature.  (We just let it sit for an hour or so and it was fine.)


Line a pan with parchment paper and with the cornstarch-sugar mixture.  Dip cookie cutters into the mixture and cut out marshmallows (or just use a knife).  Layer the marshmallows in the pan, dusting with more cornstarch-sugar.  Cover tightly and store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.


Note:  Although I'm sure you all are smart enough for me to skip this part, I feel the need to add that working with boiling sugar syrup can be dangerous.  Please do not allow kids to pour the sugar into the mixer.  This is an adult only step.  The rest is pretty kid friendly.  My girls particularly liked how the gelatin changed after soaking in the water and cutting out the marshmallows.  We used a small, pretty heart. 


Hot Chocolate
From William-Sonoma Family Meals


4 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
6 ounces bittersweet or milk chocolate (or a mixture -- we used mostly milk because that 's what I had)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2-4 tablespoons sugar 
Marshmallows


Pour the milk and cream into a heavy-bottomed saucepan.  Place over medium-high heat and heat to just below boiling.


Whisk in the chocolate, vanilla and cinnamon.  Continue to whisk until milk is frothy and the chocolate is melted.  Whisk in sugar to taste.


Divide among warmed mugs and top each with marshmallows.  Serve right away.