Sugar Cages A La Bridget Jones Recipes

SUGAR CAGE

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.)

SUGAR CAGES (A LA " BRIDGET JONES")

Steps:

• Put sugar, corn syrup, and water in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Insert a thermometer and cook the sugar mixture until it reaches 311°F.
• Remove from the heat and pour into a medium microwaveable bowl.
• Lightly coat bowl that matches whatever you're placing the sugar cage over with cooking spray.
• Dip the prongs of a fork into hot sugar.
• This is the hard part: carefully but quickly wave the fork over the inside of the bowl, allowing the sugar to drip off fork in long, thin strands.
• Try to do the strands evenly on the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• Making sure to come all the way to the rim, but not so thick that you can't see the bowl through the sugar.
• Using a sharp knife, slice the edge of the cage clean by scraping the blade of the knife along the rim of the bowl.
• Let cool for 5 minutes.
• To get the cage out: 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.
• Apply this same pressure all around the inside of the bowl.
• After the cage out of the bowl place it over the dessert.
• WARNING: If the sugar is still too warm, the cage will begin to collapse.
• You should let the cage cool completely first before removing it.
• This will make sure it keeps its shape.

JACQUES' SUGAR CAGE

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.

ORANGE PARFAIT (A LA BRIDGET JONES) - NOT MARMALADE!

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.