We know little about such a treat as marzipan. What is it, many of us remember from the tales of Hoffmann. Others may have seen jewelry from this sweet in expensive cafes and pastry shops. Few know that it is very useful. And also that you can make marzipan with your own hands in a fairly short time.
A nut from a fairy tale
Translated from Italian, its name means "Easter March bread." Marzipan is a mixture of grated nuts (most often almonds) with powdered sugar, which has an elastic consistency. It is thanks to this property that it is so easy to sculpt various figures from it. Sugar should account for up to one third of the entire product - then it will not need thickeners. Marzipan sweets are usually glazed, since the surface of the figures made of crushed almonds is not quite smooth. Confectioners from different countries are still arguing among themselves about who invented this dish. In many countries (France, Italy, Iraq) they believe that it was they who opened the world of marzipan. What is this, already known one and a half thousand years ago in Byzantium. It spread very widely in Central Europe in the eighteenth century. It was then that the confectioners achieved amazing craftsmanship in the manufacture of these sweets.
Currently, the Russian confectionery industry does not always care about the naturalness of products, and in order to make a profit, undesirable ingredients are introduced into marzipan. For example, almonds are replaced by cheaper nuts, the amount of sugar increases, thickeners and fasteners are added, and flavor is mixed in for taste. The recipe for worthless marzipan requires rigor and accuracy. Other nuts (even valuable hazelnuts) do not give the desired texture of the mixture, and the figures cannot stick together well. Children are far from the problems of poor-quality products, and for them marzipan is simply a symbol of happiness, something incredibly tasty, sweet and fabulous. Try to make it at home with them. That's not difficult. And the process will give you, in addition to a wonderful treat, an unforgettable experience.
Confectionery factory at home
You will need pure high-quality almonds and fresh icing sugar. There are two recipes according to which marzipan can be prepared on fructose (what it is - fructose - and why it is needed, it will be said later). Take a pound of peeled almond kernels, 15 pieces of bitter. The latter will be needed in order to give marzipan a peculiar aroma. In addition, you need a glass of fructose and a tablespoon of water. Steam the almonds with boiling water, then peel and dry in the oven to a yellowish cream color. Grind either in a coffee grinder or in a blender, if there is a special nozzle. Then sift fructose and also turn it into powder. This is fruit sugar, it is very important in the recipe because it has a higher viscosity, which is important for the formation of figures.
Mix both powders and achieve uniformity. Then lay on a flat surface and spray with water using a spray gun, constantly stirring for evenness. This operation is best performed together. You can do this with your child. Then, in a container with a thick bottom, heat the marzipan mass, stirring and watching for uniformity. Leave the mixture overnight in the refrigerator. So you have prepared real marzipan. What it is, how to cook it, it is now clear to you. It remains to enjoy the sculpting of figures from it with the children.