{DIY} Chocolate Hearts : Valentine's Day in Japan

Well in Japan, Valentine's Day is entirely the responsibility of the women.  

and they must give chocolate.

  

to every man they know.

 

(can you guess who invented this rule?)

The better the quality of chocolate, the more important you are to them.  

They give chocolate to coworkers, friends, boyfriend, dad, uncle, etc. etc.

  

but don't worry.  

 The Japanese women were not to be fooled.

They created another holiday, exactly a month later called White Day.

  

and this is the day the women get paid back.

  

supposedly the men who received chocolate from them must give them something  

3x the worth of the chocolate they received. 

hmmm...really makes you think about your chocolate purchase.

It was originally supposed to be a white gift such as cookies, jewelry, white lingerie, or marshmallows (? you'd have to be given some pretty awful chocolate if marshmallows are worth 3x...) 

If you have a special love of your life, the best way to show you love them is to make them a chocolate confection.  So Charlotte and I decided to do just that for Daddy.  It was really very easy and Charlotte had a fun time.  Here's what you'd need to make your own.  

You still have time, it takes about 15 minutes.

melting chocolates (easily found at Michaels in the States)

small candy tins

sugar decorations/sprinkles

Simply melt the chocolate in the microwave, 30 seconds at a time, until it's nice and smooth.  Use a spoon and spoon it into the tins.  Place the decorations on top, then put in the freezer to set until hard.  It might also be fun to experiment with something in the chocolate like peanut butter, dried fruit, marshmallows, or nuts.  Easy peasy and a great Valentine activity for those little hands.

Happy Valentine's Day!

(I can say that because it's already Tuesday here ;)

xoxo

jessica

p.s. don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Candied Citrus Peel

I come from a Florida family.  Both of my parents grew up in Florida and most of their grandparents did too.  So needless to say, we love citrus.  I have many memories of my great-grandmother and my Grandma making delicious ambrosia during the holidays, then they would take the citrus peel and make candy!  Well I'd never made it before, but last week I was feeling adventurous and so I made some!  It turned out really well and was so tasty.

 I promise you the orange ones tasted exactly like those sugary orange slices you can buy - only these are way better...(I won't necessarily say better for you...'cause we're still talking about candy here).  I seriously encourage you to give this a try - it's not hard to make, there are just several steps - but hey - put on your favorite Christmas movie and start peeling!

Candied Citrus Peel
(adapted from Martha Stewart Living)
Ingredients:
3 oranges, 2 lemons, 1 grapefruit
4 cups of sugar, plus more for rolling
water/paring knife/paper towel

Step 1:  Peel the fruit.  Make slits in the peel with your knife - cut from top to bottom cutting through the peel but not the fruit.  It takes about 6 cuts per fruit.  Then use your fingers and gently pull the peel away from the fruit.
Step 2:  Remove the pith.  This step is a pain, but it makes the difference between sweet candy and bitter peel rolled in sugar.  Use a paring knife to peel off the white pith that lines the peel - just do the best you can, but the more you take off the less bitter your candy will be.
Step 3:  Put the peels in a large saucepan and cover with cold water.  Bring it to a boil, then drain the water.  Repeat this two more times, using cold water each time.  After you drain it the last time, put the peels in a bowl.
Step 4:  Put the 4 cups of sugar into the saucepan along with 4 cups of water.  Bring this to a boil then put the peel in and reduce to medium low - so that it is simmering nicely.  Let it simmer for about an hour or until the peels look transluscent.
**Bonus - this also makes your house smell amazing**
Step 5:  Let the peels cool in the syrup - usually takes about 1 1/2 hrs.  Put a piece of parchment paper down, and then set a cooling rack on top.  Ladle the peels out with a slotted spoon onto the rack - letting the excess syrup drip off.
Step 6:  Take the peels off a few at a time and pat the excess syrup off with a paper towel - then roll them in a bowl of sugar.  Place them on a candy plate and cover with plastic wrap until you're ready to eat them!

Mmm - so yummy I think I'll make some more!
Happy candy making!
xoxo
jessica