Nurturing my inner... campfire

If I find that groundhog, I'm going to have a few words with him about his failed ability to accurately predict the weather.  (If I don't make him into a hat first.)  Whatever possessed that fellow to say "Nope, no shadow here," this year?!!  There will be no early spring, oh furry one.  It's freezing out.  Thus, I was inspired to make a fire...

Seeing as I live in a condo and 1.) have no built in fire place and 2.) it's illegal to have an open fire, I had to come up with a more reasonable solution to my warmth dilemma.  (Besides a blankie, which I was wrapped in while working on ideas.)

Gas stove.  You need it.  If you have an electric stove, I pity you.  I grew up with that.  It's functional, sure, but can be limiting if you really love to cook.  I made sure when I bought my home five years ago this week, that my stove was gas.  I used to really like the way it heated up and cooled down quickly when my Nana would cook on hers.  Great way to control the temperature.

Toasted marshmallows are a simple, fat free, easy decadence.  Reminiscent of fun, childhood summer camp experiences.  All you have to do is remove the grate off of one burner.  Turn it on high.  And put two large marshmallows on a fondue fork.

50 calories in two.

At first, I don't put the marshmallows too close to the flame.  I try to warm them up a little so they get soft and heated some inside.  Then I edge them closer to the flame and twirl.  Of course, because they are made of sugar, they will catch on fire.

Round and round it goes.

I just blow out the flame on the marshmallow like a candle and turn to another side and repeat until the entire marshmallow is perfectly soft and toasted.

As good as the real summertime, outdoor
campfire deal, and you don't even have
to leave your house.

You don't have to wait until the next time you go camping to toast marshmallows - if you have a gas stove.  This is an easy improvisation.  And if you're really adventurous, grab a little graham cracker and piece of chocolate bar and make a s'more!  (Might I mention that cinnamon graham crackers add a little extra flavor to those.)  I was a good girl today and went for the low calorie snack version, but didn't feel I was missing out at all.  Sticky, crunchy and flavorful, these toasted marshmallows made me all toasty warm inside on this bitter cold "spring" day.  (Phil, I'm coming after you!)