Sugar Art, More Art & Awards

Firstly, thanks Usha yet again for passing on a new award to me... it goes pronto to my sidebar!

Talking about sugar art...
Who cant help falling in love with those delicate flares of glowing orange made entirely with sugar?
This is an inspiration from those pastry chefs creating beautiful desserts and decorating them with sugar art pieces. Of course, this is my first try and it is not perfect, but hey... who says art is perfect?

Sugar Art

Ingredients:

White Sugar - 1 cup
Water - 1/4 cup
Hardware - Candy thermometer, silpat/parchment paper

Method:

Mix water and sugar in a non-stick or heavy bottomed pan and fit it with a candy thermometer. Boil it on medium-high heat upto the soft ball stage.

Try not to mix it too often, this will prevent the sugar from getting to where it(the consistency) ought to be.

Turn down the heat to medium, and let the sugar reach to hard-ball and at this stage never leave the stove unattended. It turns to caramel very quickly and even the slightest burning can make the sugar bitter.

When it reaches a little above hard crack stage, the liquid should still be golden brown. Dark brown means you could throw out the sugar liquid and try again. That is how careful you got to be.

Spray a parchment paper with oil spray/use a silpat. Take a small spoon, dip it in the sugar syrup and drizzle back and forth into desired shapes.

Remember this does not have to be perfect.

Allow to cool and peel it off the parchment. Use it on cakes, mousse, or any desserts and make your dessert look priceless.

It may not be that obvious, but you can see the use of it in plating one of my desserts: Almond Puri

Now, coming to my art project this week. I don't have the source of this drawing, but you can see what I have attempted.



Time for some award give aways... I have been hoarding on to my awards for a long time now... now I am very happy to give the following to...

Wylde Woman Award to:

Uma http://teluguruchi.blogspot.com/
Purva http://purvasdaawat.blogspot.com/



Rules for Wylde Woman award are:

1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number inbetween - it's up to you. Make sure you link to their site in your post.

2. Link back to this blogsite (http://www.TammyVitale.com/)

Purpose of the Award: To send love and acknowledgement to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.


A perfect blend of friendship Award to:

Cham http://spice-club.blogspot.com/
Usha http://veginspirations.blogspot.com/



Premios Dardo 2008 Best Blog Darts Thinker Award to:

Valarmathi http://valar-myblog.blogspot.com/
Sowmya http://creativesaga.blogspot.com/
Paru http://brindavanrecipes.blogspot.com/



Beautiful Site Award to:

Vaishali http://earthvegan.blogspot.com/
Meeso http://meesosweetandspicy.blogspot.com/