Sugar Cages A La Bridget Jones Recipes

Steps:

• Place the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a 2-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Insert a candy thermometer and cook the sugar mixture until it reaches 311 degrees F, or what is known as the "hard crack" stage. Remove from the heat and carefully pour into a medium-sized, microwave-able glass bowl.
• Wash, dry, and lightly but thoroughly coat with cooking spray a clean, dry bowl that matches the diameter of whatever you're placing the sugar cage over. Dip the tines of a fork into the hot sugar. Carefully but quickly wave the fork over the inside of the bowl, allowing the sugar to drip off the fork in long, thin strands. Try to distribute the strands evenly on the sides and bottom of the bowl, making sure to come all the way to the rim, however, not so thick that you can't see the bowl through the sugar.
• Using a sharp chef's knife, slice the edge of the cage clean by scraping the blade of the knife along the rim of the bowl. Set aside to cool, about 5 minutes.
• To unmold the cage, place your thumbs on the outside of the bowl and your fingers on the inside of the sugar cage. Gently pull the cage loose from the side and bottom of the bowl; you will be able to see the cage release from the inside of the bowl. You will need to apply this gentle pressure all around the inside of the bowl. Once the cage has released from the bowl, carefully lift it out and place it over the dessert. If the sugar is still too warm, the cage may begin to collapse. A good idea is to release the cage from the bowl but leave it in the bowl until it has cooled completely. This will ensure that it keeps its shape. (At this stage, the cage can be stored, right side up, in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for one to two days.)

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3/4 teaspoon caraway seeds and 1 minced garlic clove; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Halve 2 pounds carrots lengthwise and cut into 2-inch pieces; add to the skillet along with 1/2 cup water, 3 tablespoons each brown sugar and cider vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook 15 minutes. Stir in 4 cups shredded red cabbage and season with salt; cook 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add a squeeze of lemon juice. Transfer to a bowl and top with torn fresh dill and parsley.

Steps:

• In a medium sauce pan, combine the pudding mix and orange juice.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a full boil.
• Remove from heat and place in the refrigerator until completely chilled.
• In a large bowl, combine the chilled pudding, orange zest, and low-fat yogurt.
• Place a spoonful of the mixture into a parfait glass OR Sugar Cage (see recipe #83770).
• Sprinkle 2 Tablespoons of crushed cookies on top and continue layering the pudding and cookies until the sugar cage is full.
• Garnish with fresh berries and serve.

Steps:

• In a large skillet, combine drippings or oil, brown sugar, vinegar, water, salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until hot, stirring occasionally. Add cabbage; cover and cook for 10 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add apples, cook, uncovered, for about 10 minutes more or until tender, stirring occasionally.

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon; set aside. Saute cabbage and onion in drippings until tender. Add remaining ingredients; stir until thickened. Stir in bacon. Serve warm.

Steps:

• Melt butterscotch morsels with peanut butter in heavy saucepan over very low heat, stirring constantly until well blended. Remove from heat.
• Add KELLOGG'S® RICE KRISPIES® cereal to butterscotch mixture, stirring until well coated. Press half of cereal mixture into 8 x 8 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Chill in refrigerator while preparing filling. Set remaining cereal mixture aside.
• Combine chocolate morsels, powdered sugar, butter and water. Stir over very low heat until chocolate melts and mixture is well blended. Spread over chilled cereal mixture. Spread remaining cereal mixture evenly over top. Press in gently. Chill. Remove from refrigerator for about 10 minutes before cutting into squares.

Steps:

• Place sugar, corn syrup, and 1/2 cup water in a 2-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Insert a candy thermometer, and cook the sugar mixture until it reaches 310 degrees to 320 degrees, what is known as the "hard-crack" stage. Remove pan from the heat, and carefully pour into a medium-size microwaveable glass bowl. If you leave the sugar in the pan, the sugar will continue to cook and will turn dark brown. (The sugar will stay liquid enough to work with easily for about 10 minutes; after that it will start to thicken. If this happens before you are finished, just pop the bowl in the microwave for 3 to 5 minutes, until the sugar is liquid enough to work with once again.)
• Wash, dry, and lightly but thoroughly spray a clean, dry 5-quart Kitchen-Aid bowl with cooking spray. Dip the tines of a fork into the hot sugar. Carefully but quickly wave the fork over the inside of the bowl, allowing the sugar to drip off the fork in long, thin strands. Try to distribute the strands evenly on the side and bottom of the bowl, making sure the sugar reaches all the way to the rim of the bowl. When finished, you should still be able to see the bowl through the sugar.
• Use a sharp chef's knife to trim the edge of the cage clean by scraping the blade of the knife along the rim of the bowl. Set aside to cool, about 5 minutes.
• To unmold the cage, place your thumbs on the outside of the bowl and your fingers on the inside of the sugar cage. Gently pull the cage loose from the side and bottom of the bowl. Once the cage has been released from the bowl, carefully lift it out and place it over a dessert. If the sugar is still too warm, the cage may begin to collapse. Repeat with remaining sugar to form three more cages. At this stage, the cages can be stored, right side up, in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for 1 to 2 days.