Best Candy Thermometer

The best quality candy thermometer is the OXO Good Grips Glass Candy Thermometer.

I started making caramel for an Almond Roca recipe years ago. But, it never quite came out how I wanted it to. It was delicious, but it was just too soft. The consistency wasn’t quite right. 

This year, I decided I was going to try out using my new candy thermometer for my caramel sauce to make my almond roca recipe. Maybe they would actually turn out!

best candy thermometer

I asked my husband to purchase the best candy thermometer for caramel for me.

He got me the OXO Good Grips Glass Candy Thermometer.

When I went to use it, I realized that the bulb didn’t go all the way to the bottom of the pot. But of course, you don’t actually want the bulb to be touching the bottom of the pan. This can cause the bulb to shatter.

So the OXO thermometer he got me, sits a few centimeters above the pot using the adjustable clip. 

When I was making my caramel sauce the bulb was above the level of liquid in the sauce pan so I wasn’t sure how it was going to work.

I started mixing my ingredients, and then I realized that I could just stir the pot and push the caramel sauce over the bulb so I could get an accurate measurement of the temperature.

Therefore, even though it’s large, it’s the best candy thermometer for small batches. 

When I was done making my caramel sauce I watched the Mercury come to an even 300 degrees Farenheight and I poured the caramel sauce into the baking pan. I added the chopped up almonds to it, and then I spread the melted chocolate over the caramel and sprinkled the rest of the chopped almonds to the topping and let it cool. 

Finally, I had made the most incredible Almond Roca. I had no idea that I really needed a candy thermometer to make the Almond Roca that I’ve been dreaming about for years. I always purchased my almond roca at local Christmas markets because it’s my absolute favourite!! Now, I can officially make as much as I want to at home!

I’m an avid baker, and I have tried making macarons, but they never turned out the way I had seen them in pastry shops.

When I took a class making macarons in Vancouver they showed me that when making the sugar sauce for the Italian meringue, it needs to be an even 115 degree Celsius. 

I decided to try out the candy thermometer again. I always had issues making macarons in the past, but I was using the French style recipe. By using the Italian style recipe, the meringue is much more stable so it’s easier to get them to turn out how you like. 

I started making the sugar sauce and I watched the Mercury climb up to an even 115 degrees Celsius. I poured the sugar sauce down the side of the metal mixing bowl with my egg whites. I folded the meringue into the almond mixture and finished off making my macarons, patiently waiting to see how they would turn out. I wondered if this was really going to make the difference between them actually turning out. I put them in the oven and baked them for 12 minutes. 

oxo candy thermometer

I pulled them out of the oven when they were finished, and there it was, my first batch of perfect macarons. I was so proud. I was so grateful to have my new candy thermometer. 

This candy thermometer has been so easy to use, it handles high temperatures up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 

It has stages on the thermometer of hard-crack, giving you an idea of how hard you want your candy to be.

I prefer this candy thermometer over a digital one because there is no battery to change, no risk of the display becoming black at high temperatures, and I find it just as easy to read the temperature.

When we were reading up about candy thermometers I thought for sure a digital thermometer would be the easiest. 

I started reading up on the CDN digital candy thermometer 

You can easily program it to an exact degree. It will alarm at specific points during the key temperature stages when making candy.   

It’s approximately 8 1/4″ tall, much smaller than the OXO Candy Thermometer.

However, most people who have used this thermometer find that it doesn’t last very long. Some people have said that it only lasted them 3-30 uses, and then it just stops working. The screen will go black when it’s used at high temperatures. The clip for the gauge can break off and then you have to hold the thermometer by hand to take the temperature of your candy.

It doesn’t seem like digital thermometers have come very far in terms of longevity, or durability.

The tried and true older style thermometers are a better bet for your candy making needs long term. They are easy to clean, simple to use, and give accurate readings.

The OXO Good Grips Glass Candy Thermometer is the best quality candy thermometer for your baking needs.

Homemade Garlic Breadsticks

Homemade garlic breadsticks are best served warm right out of the oven. They have a buttery coating, and a fluffy inside, making them irresistible.

After the breadsticks have come out of the oven, they are coated with melted garlic butter and Italian herbs.

A sprinkle of parmesan cheese is added to the homemade garlic breadsticks, and then they can be served.

Homemade breadsticks can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container overnight. Warm up in the microwave for 15-20 seconds prior to serving.

Storing the breadsticks in the fridge slows down the aging process, therefore your breadsticks will be fresher the following day than leaving them at room temperature.

See video here.

Homemade Garlic Breadsticks

Homemade Garlic Breadsticks

How to bake homemade garlic breadsticks from scratch using yeast.
Prep Time25 minutes
Active Time12 minutes
Rising time2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time3 hours 7 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Keyword: bread, breadstick
Yield: 12 Breadsticks

Equipment

  • Oven

Materials

  • 280 mL warm water
  • 1 1/2 tsp instant yeast
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 3 tbsp butter melted
  • 1 3/4 tsp salt
  • 3 cups bread flour

Topping

  • 3 tbsp butter melted
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp Italian Seasoning
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan grated

Instructions

  • Combine water, yeast, sugar, 3 tbsp butter and salt into a large glass bowl. Slowly add bread flour until fully combined. Knead dough until smooth ~5-7 min.
  • Cover with a towel and let rise for 1 ½ hours.
  • Separate dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each piece to approximately 7’’ long.
  • Let rise for 1 hour on a baking pan lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake for 12 min at 400 degrees F.
  • Mix together melted butter, salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a bowl.
  • Brush mixture onto the homemade garlic breadsticks when they come out of the oven and top with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
GARLIC ITALIAN BREADSTICKS

Bread Maker Pizza Pretzels Recipe

Bread maker pizza pretzels are lathered in pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese, and then baked in the oven until the cheese begins to bubble.

Bread machines can do much more than just bake loaves of bread.

You can use you bread machine to make pretzel bread dough, and then top your pretzels how you like them.

If you’re making regular pretzels, give them an egg wash with a bit of salt before baking them.

bread maker pizza pretzels recipe

For our bread machine pretzel bread we’ll be making pizza pretzels.

Pizza pretzels are topped with pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese. Yum! You can also add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to the top of them as well if desired.

The key to making a delicious pizza pretzel is making sure to completely cover the pretzel in pizza sauce.

Cover the pizza pretzel right until the very edges of the pretzel, even let some of the sauce seep on to the parchment paper lined pan.

The pizza sauce helps retain the moisture of the pretzel, ensuring they are tasty, and not dry.

Bread maker pizza pretzels

Bread Maker Pizza Pretzels Recipe

How to use your bread maker to make pizza pretzel dough. Bake your pizza pretzels in the oven with pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Prep Time30 minutes
Active Time15 minutes
Bread Maker Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time2 hours 15 minutes
Course: Snack
Keyword: pretzel
Yield: 8 Pretzels

Equipment

  • bread maker
  • Oven

Materials

  • 2 cups bread flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 7/8 cup water

Topping

  • 1/3 cup pizza sauce
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese grated

Instructions

  • Pour water into bread pan.
  • Place flour into bread pan covering all the water.
  • Add salt and sugar to bread pan.
  • Make a well in the center of the flour and put yeast into the well.
  • Select dough setting on bread machine.
  • Once dough is finished, preheat oven to 450˚F.
  • Separate dough into 8 even pieces.
  • Roll each dough into a long rope shape ~6” long.
  • Twist each dough into a knot shape. Place knots onto a baking sheet.
  • Brush each knot with pizza sauce. Cover the entire knot in pizza sauce, bringing the sauce right down to the bottom of each knot. If you don’t fully cover the knot this will result in a dry pizza pretzel.
  • Sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese onto each knot.
  • Bake at 450˚F for 12 to 15 minutes. Serve immediately. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta Recipe

Roasted cherry tomato bruschetta is a restaurant style appetizer.

Roasted cherry tomatoes are mixed with olive oil and fresh basil leaves for topping on a crostini.

Each crostini is rubbed with garlic to add a hint of garlic to the bruschetta appetizer.

Bruschetta

Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta Recipe

How to make roasted tomato bruschetta with fresh basil, restaurant style
Prep Time30 minutes
Active Time22 minutes
Total Time52 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Keyword: appetizer, bread, bruschetta
Yield: 2 people

Materials

  • 1 pkg cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup olive oil extra virgin
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • Pinch pepper
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil cut into strips
  • 1/2 baguette sliced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil for brushing bread
  • 1 garlic clove cut in half
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated

Instructions

  • Place cherry tomatoes into a small bowl and drizzle olive oil on top. Add salt and pepper. Mix gently with a spoon until all the tomatoes are covered in oil.
  • On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, place tomatoes evenly dispersed on the pan.
  • Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 min.
  • While the tomatoes are baking, slice half of the baguette. Brush each piece of baguette with olive oil on one side.
  • Once the tomatoes are finished baking, preheat the oven to broil on high.
  • Broil the bread for 1-2 min, watch carefully. Only toast them until your desired doneness.
  • Place the tomatoes into a small bowl and add fresh cut basil. Mix them together with a spoon.
  • After the bread has finished toasting, rub each piece of bread with the cut side of the garlic. This gives it just a hint of garlic flavor, without being overpowering.
  • Add tomato mixture onto the bread pieces.
  • Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Notes

homemade bruschetta

Blanco Silgranit Sink Review

Blanco Silgranit sinks are known for being sleek, stylish, and classy. Your kitchen sink is going to be one of the drawing points in your new kitchen.

You want to be sure you’re picking our a quality sink that is going to last you for years to come.

So how do they measure up?

The Blanco Silgranit sink has a non-porous surface which is anti-bacterial. Food will not be absorbed into the material and begin to smell. You can leave dishes to sit in the sink safely and do them at your leisure without worrying about if you’re damaging your sink.

The surface of the sink prevents pots and pans from clanging. You can be assured that this sink won’t be too loud from dropping things in the sink. 

Do Blanco sinks chip

  • Blanco sinks are durable and can withstand having sharp objects dropped in them. They resist chipping, but it can happen over time.

Do Blanco Silgranit sinks stain

  • The Blanco Silgranit sink is resistant to stains.

Do Blanco sinks scratch

  • The Blanco Silgranit sink is resistant to scratches.
silgranit-sink

Blanco Silgranit Sink Colors

Blanco offers a diverse array of colors for granite sinks when compared to other top sink brands.

When we were renovating our kitchen we went through a lot of research and took the time to figure out which brands are the most durable, and which ones are going to last us a long time. 

Our cabinets and counter-tops gave our kitchen a modern look to it. There’s a luxurious feel to it when you walk in the room. The sink we selected had to match this. Therefore, we wanted to go with a higher quality sink.

silgranit-sink-with-white-quartz

When we met with our designer she recommended a Blanco Silgranit sink.

One thing I noticed when I came across in my research was that some sinks can crack when high temperature foods are poured into the sink like pouring hot water after making pasta.

The Blanco Silgranit sink is heat resistant up to 536° F.

blanco silgranit sink

After visiting a few different stores and feeling the quality of each granite sink I could see that Blanco was the best choice for us.

It took me by surprise how beautiful and modern the sink looked in person.

Types of Blanco Silgranit Sinks

Blanco has a huge selection of different types of sinks:

  • farmhouse
  • sinks with drainboards built in
  • cascading divide in the sink
  • long sinks for your custom kitchen needs
  • laundry room sinks
  • low divide sinks
  • round sinks
  • smaller sinks for a petite kitchen
  • double bowl sinks
  • bar sinks

We decided on the Blanco Silgranit single bowl kitchen sink in Anthracite.

I love the look of the single bowl sinks that are undermounted. The sink and counter-top have clean lines which looks more aesthetically pleasing on the eye. Not only that, I can clean the counter and push all the food scraps into the sink when cleaning up after a meal making it easy to clean the counter. 

How deep is the Blanco Silgranit sink?

  • Bowl depth: 8 5⁄8”

Since the bowl is so much deeper than I was used to, I didn’t realize how many dishes I was going to be able to soak in the sink. 

I can soak some dishes while I’m washing other ones at the same time! This makes clean up much quicker than I anticipated.  

We haven’t had a dishwasher in about 5 weeks so this was a game-changer for me!! 

Another benefit to having such a deep sink…. You can place a few dirty dishes in the sink to be cleaned later and you don’t see them. I can be at my stove cooking away and I don’t see any dishes in my sink, making me feel more calm and relaxed since they are out of sight and out of mind. 

One of my favourite things to do in my spare time is making baked goods. I decided to try my hand at making macarons after taking a class locally to see how I would do at making them. 

After I was done making macarons about 4 hours later I was cleaning the baking pan and I put it right into the sink. What shocked me is the whole pan fit into the sink and I still had room for other dishes as well. I was able to clean the pan and rinse it off so easily that it seems like doing dishes takes a lot less time for me now.  

I never thought that getting a new sink would allow me to do dishes in less time but here we are. 

When I drained the sink for the first time I noticed was that it drains the sink completely dry. There isn’t a pool of water waiting at the bottom of the sink. It self cleans by draining itself dry so you can leave the sink perfectly clean when you’re finished with it. 

With having new pipe under our sink, it can be drained in about 8 seconds depending on how deep you fill it.

blanco-silgranit-sink

When you do your kitchen renovation you want everything to be perfect, you want everything to go well, and you want to know that you made the right choice. 

One thing I know for sure, is I know I made the right choice picking the Blanco Silgranit sink. It fits so well into our modern kitchen and I can’t imagine picking another one. 

It’s just perfect for our life.