My (no longer) Secret Toffee Recipe
Posted on 16 December 2014 | No responses
Since I stopped making toffee a couple of years back, there’s been a lot of requests to “just make one more.” In an effort to share the magic, here’s my no longer secret recipe. It was never a secret to begin with, as it’s based on making it “the old-fashioned way.”
1 lbs Raw Sugar*
1 lbs of salted butter
1/4 cup of water.
*You can use granulated sugar in place of the raw. However, the raw sugar imparts a nutty, more mature flavor. My survey when I started making toffee showed a preference of 4-1 for the raw sugar variety.
Place ingredients into a stainless steel Qt pan. The sugar and butter mixture will rise and bubble, so it needs room.
Save the butter paper and use it to lightly grease a small aluminum sheet pan. Set aside, but not too far away, as you’ll be pouring the very hot sugar and butter slurry into this pan.
Using a candy thermometer, while stirring continuously, bring the mixture to 308 F. This will take 45 minutes to an hour. When making candy, I suggest using a long rubber spatula and not metal.
At 308 F, immediately remove from heat and pour into a sheet pan.
Let the finished toffee cool completely.
When the toffee has cooled completely, I suggest using a clean cotton towel to remove the excess fat/grease from both sides of the toffee, this will help when enrobing with chocolate.
When cooled and cleaned, break up the toffee into the perfect size pieces. You probably wont be ready for chocolate at this stage, unless you planned really well, so make sure the toffee goes into an airtight container. Sugar loves moister, and this will make it chewy and sticky. Both are things that are bad, in my opinion, when it comes to toffee.
Hand-dip each piece into your favorite tempered chocolate and place on parchment paper to harden.
Enjoy!
A quick and easy version suitable for a family gathering and to be eaten that day, make the toffee like above. In the lightly butter the pan, dump your favorite chocolate chips and spread them out. Dump the hot toffee over the chips. Let it cool. Break and enjoy. Even if you put it in an airtight container, it’ll start getting sticky/chewy pretty quickly. It’ll only last a day or two. It won’t look amazing, but it’ll taste amazing.
Note: If you decide you want to make larger batches, scale the water accordingly as well. While this is a recipe, making hard candy is a bit of a science. There are any number of issues that can occur and may require additional research.
American Craft Beer Week 2014
Posted on 10 June 2014 | No responses
I’ve had a number of people ask me about American Craft Beer Week in SLO that took place May 10th – 18th. First off, let me say, I looked forward to this week for the last year. I had such a great time last year, I had planned to hit every event.
Lingerie Model Script
Posted on 19 November 2013 | No responses
I’ve sorta fallen in love recently with writing, but unlike times before, I’m now focused on stage scripts. It’s new to me and I’m still finding my voice. However, since my writing is conversational to begin with, it has helped kick get my thoughts and stories into a more consumable form. I also have an outlet for their performance thanks for No Shame Theater. I’m working on one for this Friday’s No Shame at SLO Little Theatre, but I wanted to share my previous script: Lingerie Model.
To put this script into perspective, first, what you read actually happened. The first part, is pretty much any guy, but certainly could be any trip I’ve ever made into a lingerie store with Heather. As for the second part, this did happen about 20 years ago. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it.
And here’s a snippet taken with my phone.
Dorothy’s Train Ride – Acting Debut
Posted on 17 November 2013 | No responses
After receiving permission from all the necessary parties, here’s my acting debut. “Dorothy’s Train Ride” by Kevin Ferguson, directed by Johannes S. Beals, with Lester Jenkins Wilson as Jerry and me as Bill. Performed at The Spot AG 9/14/13 for The Original Works Festival 2013.
Reasons to Come to SLO for Endurance Training
Posted on 14 November 2013 | No responses
I just wrote a piece about Endurance Training in SLO. Go check it out!
Pub Run with the Nike Terra Kiger
Posted on 21 August 2013 | No responses
I always enjoy heading out on a pub run. I mean, what’s not to enjoy. Going for a run, which I’m going to do anyway, with a free beer at the end. Throw in a pair of shoes to try out, and I’m always down. Last night’s pub run with Running Warehouse was hosted by Michael Marquez and the Creeky Tiki (Huge thanks!) with Nike bringing the shoes.
The run was a pretty flat, 4 mile out and back starting from the Creeky Tiki, then heading over to the train station and finally heading along the train trail loop and back. As a triathlete, I find that I train pretty much alone. Maybe, one out of every 15-20 training sessions do I have anyone training along with me. The fun part of any pub run (besides free beer) is the opportunity to run with and get to know a fellow runner. Running with someone can always have an impact on your pace. Sometimes positive and sometimes negative. This time it was very positive. After a really slow run on Monday, my running partner helped me push myself a bit and I felt really good about my pace and how I felt overall.
About the shoes. Let me first say I’ve only worn them for 4 miles. My review should not be considered an exhaustive review of the shoe. You can read more about the shoe from many other sources online. For reference, my current stable of shoes consist of the Merrell Bare Access 2 (0 drop, 4mm stack) and Saucony Kinvara 3 (4mm drop, 23mm stack-heel). The Terra Kiger is closer to the Kinvara, matching the 4mm drop and a 22mm stack at the heel. The Terra Kiger is made for the trail, and looking at the sole, I’m confident it can hold its own. My run was all paved, and very flat, so again, my review is limited. My feet are naturally a 12.5, an odd size that only the big manufactures tend to carry, but Jarrett from Nike had a pair for me. Fit was spot on, if a little tight along the top for my high volume foot. As is typical with Nike shoes and my feet, there seemed to be some give in the back of the shoe (see picture below) that makes it hard to feel truly comfortable. However, unlike the Free Run 3’s I wore for about 90 miles, it was forgotten quickly and the shoe was very comfortable. I really liked the feedback and responsiveness of the shoe. For a trail shoe, it also felt light on my feet weighing only 8.3oz (for a size 9).
The only challenge I had with the shoes, was I developed 2 hot spots on my right foot around mile 3. One spot at the tip of my longer second toe and one mid-ball of my foot. My left foot didn’t develop these hot spots. Take that with a grain of salt, as it was only one run, in demo shoes. Also, since these were only worn for a short run, I can’t speak to how the upper will feel after mile 15, or 30. Response online seems to be that the upper is very comfortable even during ultra-distance events.
If you’re looking for this shoe, head on over to Running Warehouse and pick up a pair for $125. For those of you in SLO, the next Pub Run is September 10th starting from the Creeky Tiki again. Hope you can make it.
Hurt and Frustrated
Posted on 30 May 2013 | No responses
Well, yes, but it’s simpler than that. I’m hurt. Not emotionally, just physically. Last week I strained my left calf muscle.
The strain was one thing, but the muscle deciding to knot up 3 hours later, multiple times, was enough to get me to do something drastic… Call a doctor. Hence the frustration. There’s nothing that can be done. Normal recovery pattern; RICE treatment, don’t re-injure, plan on no running for 4 weeks, blah blah blah. GAH. I’m a triathlete. I can’t just sit around and do nothing. My body is used to pushing itself 5-6 days/week. There are goals this year. I’m missing races. But mostly, I’m just frustrated sitting and limping.
The good news is I plan on getting into the pool tomorrow to see how swimming goes. As long as I keep myself from pushing off the wall with my left leg, I should be OK. However, the pool is where I tend to encounter muscle cramping issues, so I’m a little nervous. Not just about my time in the pool, but the hours after. I can also bike. Sorta. A stationary bike without clips, so I can push with the heel and not flex my left foot. All these limits.
When you’re injured, how do you handle it? For those of you that have lost significant weight, how do you deal with an injury and not put weight back on?
A Little Patience Goes A Long Way
Posted on 23 May 2013 | No responses
Once again, out on a run, I was reminded that patience is needed. Yes, for the runner, but let me add, everyone who uses the roads. I’m not the only one in this position, but as a runner, cyclist, motorcyclist and driver, I have an interesting perspective on road use and it all comes down to patience.
I see it everyday. You do too, I’m sure. At the four-way stop, the impatient driver. Or the guy coming out of the parking lot. Maybe its the cyclist blowing through the stop sign, or the motorcyclist blowing by you, crossing the double-yellow. All of these scenarios happen everyday, and they’re all very dangerous.
The one that had been noticeable lately is the tendency for drivers to pull across a sidewalk, or crosswalk without looking to the right. Only caring about the on-coming traffic. As a runner, we’re supposed to run against traffic, whether on the sidewalk or street. It’s safer. Hopefully, it makes me more visible, it allows me time to see you and make adjustments, as opposed to running with traffic where I don’t know you’re there and don’t see me until you run me down. I know, gruesome. However, running against traffic means that when a driver doesn’t look to their right before pulling through the crosswalk or driveway, they don’t see me running towards them.
So here’s my list of things for all road users to consider.
- Drivers, look both ways when approaching a crosswalk/driveway, don’t just blow through it to the street.
- It takes a lot more energy for the runner to stop and wait for you to hit the gas pedal then start again, then it does for the driver to wait the extra 15 seconds before using your right foot to press the gas pedal. Let the runner cross.
- Give cyclists 3 feet when passing. Not only is it the law in many places, but your car might get scratched.
- As a runner or cyclist, don’t press your right of way. You’re out getting exercise, so an extra 15 seconds ain’t gonna kill you, while the car might.
- Stay on your side of the road. Those yellow lines are there for a reason. If you can’t stay in your lane, you’re going to fast.
- If you can’t see around a curve, assume there’s an obstacle there. If there isn’t, great! If there is, then you just saved yourself and maybe others.
- Runners, run against traffic flow. Cyclists, cycle with traffic.
All of these can be summed up with, be patient. It’s worth it. Do you have any other rules of the road to consider?
SLO Half-Marathon Recap
Posted on 9 April 2013 | No responses
You know, 13.1 miles is pretty far to run. Yeah, I know people are running ultra-marathons now, but 13 miles is still a long way. I was reminded of just how far 13 miles is on Sunday during the SLO Half-Marathon. When I originally schedule this race, I thought I had three weeks between the MTS Olympic Triathlon and this Half-Marathon. While still not a long time, I thought it would give me time for recovery and a good mileage week followed by taper. I didn’t do my math right. There was only two weeks between the events. Oh well.
Between MTS and SLO Half-Marathon
After MTS (read my race recap), I took a few days off, then hit a short run and some pool time. On the Saturday between events, I got in one long, 10 mile, run just to make sure that my feet and legs were up for the distance. I knew I had the cardio. Heck, I just did 3 hours in MTS, so a two-hour run shouldn’t be a cardio issue. I haven’t written about it here, but my left knee has been bugging me, so I was concerned about the turn around. Any run over 2 miles has been causing some serious pain in my left knee (yes, I will get it checked out, no I don’t think I’m doing any permanent damage), making it harder to train just for running. To finish out taper week, I did a 4 miler on Tuesday and a treadmill 2.6 miles on Friday. Every run left me with some knee pain, but it was manageable with RICE post run.
Mizuno Wave Evo Cursoris review
Posted on 3 April 2013 | 1 response
Had an opportunity last night to try out a pair of Mizuno Wave Evo Cursoris at the Running Warehouse Pub Run. First and foremost, the run was amazing fun. It was the largest group I’ve seen out and was well-timed with my upcoming Half-Marathon coming up Sunday. We met at Laguna Grill and had a nice 3.5 mile trail run on the Irish Hills Trail. More on that in a minute.
After showing up, I had an opportunity to speak with the Mizuno rep and talked briefly about my running style. He recommended I try out one of their newest shoes, the Wave Evo Cursoris. They actually had them in my size! a 12.5. That’s a first for me. They were extremely bright in an almost florescent orange, but fit was great. A quick run around the parking lot confirmed they were the right size and would be fine for my run. No need to get blisters right now!
Heading out, the 50+ people broke into about two groups. I had never run the Irish Hills trail, so I didn’t know exactly what to expect. I found out quickly, that the trail is pretty much up, then down. Not really much in the way of flat land. You’re going up or down, the entire time. The trail, while well-groomed, is also really rocky. I typically wear Merrell Bare Access 2‘s, which only have about 4mm of cushion. The Cursoris have 12mm of cushion stack, and wow, I was happy they did. The marble sized pebbles weren’t an issue in the Cursoris. I could feel them at spots, but nothing to hurt my foot.
While the shoe isn’t a trail shoe, it was well-balanced and handled the trail just fine. Light at 6.8oz, I was impressed at the amount of punishment it took. The mesh upper allowed my foot to move around naturally, but I would recommend that you go a half-size smaller than you would in a traditional shoe. I noticed it when my toes were against the front of the shoe on the steep down hill of the trail as I slowed my descent. Unlike my Merrell’s, the shoe allows for a high-volume foot, so if you’re like me, you’ll be really happy with the fit over the top of the foot.
The only negatives I have with the shoe are the color choices, bright green and orange. I wear my running shoes for work and play after I retire them from running, and the bright green and orange just don’t work for everyday wearing. Would I buy them? I did offer to wear them this Sunday in the SLO Half-Marathon, unfortunately they took them back with them. I will definitely consider adding them to my shoe stable to wear along with my Merrell’s and handle those times when I’d like more cushion. You can pick up a pair at your favorite running store, or grab them now from Running Warehouse!
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