Floppy Flowers Recipes

Steps:

• Combine the gelatin with 1/3 cup water in a small bowl. Combine the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a separate bowl. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the cornstarch mixture in a 9" x 13" quarter sheet tray.
• Cook the granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until the sugar reaches 235 degrees F on a candy thermometer, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and combine with the bloomed gelatin and vanilla bean seeds. Beat with a hand mixer on medium high until thick and fluffy, about 6 minutes. Spray a rubber spatula with cooking spray and use it to scrape the marshmallow mixture into the prepared pan. Spread evenly and dust with the remaining cornstarch mixture. Let set overnight at room temperature.
• Spray a 2-inch flower-shaped cookie cutter with cooking spray and cut out 12 flower marshmallows. Save the marshmallow scraps to cut into small cube-shaped marshmallows, if desired.
• Melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water (the bottom of the bowl shouldn't touch the water), stirring occasionally. Place three candy pearls in the center a flower. Gather the petals at the top to close the flower and dip the bottom in the melted chocolate to hold it together. Place in a flexible 12-cup mini cupcake pan to set. Repeat with the remaining flowers.
• To serve, pop the flowers out of the muffin cups and place them in hot chocolate to watch them bloom.

Steps:

• In large saucepan, of boiling salted water, add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente.
• While pasta is cooking, heat the oil until hot in a small skillet. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Drain the pasta and put it in a very large bowl. Toss with warm garlic and oil, tomatoes, parsley, chives and chopped flowers. Garnish with whole flowers.

Steps:

• Make sure the molds are clean and dry. Place molds in freezer for at least 10 minutes before filling. Cook the sugar, corn syrup and water to light caramel color (about 320 degrees F). Divide the caramel into 2 heatproof glass bowls. Add a few drops of food color to each bowl. You can use any color that you like.
• Dip the flower mold into the hot sugar. I dipped the flower molds in the red sugar and the leaf mold into the green. Set the sugar coated mold onto a silpat lined baking sheet. Repeat this process using the other molds. After a few minutes, the sugar will set and cool. To remove the sugar flower from the mold, gently push at the edge of the flower. It should pop off from the mold. Repeat the same process until you have made as many flowers as you want for your centerpiece.
• If you want to stick different shapes together, use more melted sugar to "glue" the pieces into place.
• Remember, the sugar is very hot and will burn if it comes in contact with your skin. It is a good idea to keep a bowl of cold water readily available. If you get any sugar on your skin, dip your skin in the cold water to stop the burn and easily remove the sugar.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the lollipops 2 inches from the edge of the pan and 4 inches apart.
• Mix the cookie dough with the flour until it is an even texture. Use a round teaspoon measuring spoon to form leveled half circles. Use your finger to gently ease the dough out of the spoon. Place 5 of the half circles, rounded-side up, around each lollipop, leaving a little space so that they are not quite touching.
• Bake the cookies, rotating the pans top to bottom and front to back midway through baking, until the candy melts and the cookies are slightly puffed and just golden, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool on the pans until the candy hardens, about 10 minutes.

Steps:

• Floppy Flowers