Powerpuff Girls: Power Puff Marshmallows

Sugar. Spice. Everything nice. That's what little girls are made of?

Wrong. We are all Chemical X, baby. And we're here to take names and kick asses. So I'm going to need some names.

We'll get back to the ladies in a moment. For now, I want to tell you about one of our favourite community events: West Coast Geeks vs. Nerds. During this monthly venture, two teams of three go on stage with nothing but their wits, a couple of beers, and a super insane knowledge of obscure nerdom to debate their hearts out. The debate goes through five rounds, my absolute favourite being the "Who would win in a fight?" round. If the debaters get a little nuts, the night is kept somewhat sane by the host, the Lord High Mooman, and his nerf gun. The audience will decide who is the most deserving by hootin', hollerin', and bangin' things against tables. In the end, there is one victor, but a whole hell of a lot of fun.

Tuesday night (February 4th), myself and eight other ladies will be up on the West Coast Geeks vs Nerds stage for their annual Femageddon - a night devoted to womankind. Not only are there all female debaters, we will also be debating about famous female characters from popular culture. Tomorrow, Ms. Frizzle will be up against Mary Poppins for who is the most extraordinary educator. Afterwards, the headliner debate pits the Powerpuff Girls against the Salior Scouts for who is the best female fighting force.  Things are going to get crazy up in here.

So if you're in the general Vancouver area and have nothing to do Tuesday night, come and join in the fun. This time around, we've donated some of our Power Puffs - giant marshmallows of bad-guy fighting goodness. Come on down, buy a raffle ticket, win some marshmallows, and be a super giant nerd with the rest of the Vancouver nerd community. If you're not in the general Vancouver area, try the West Coast Geeks vs. Nerds podcasts, and whip up these dang Power Puffs yourself.

Power Puff Marshmallows
Makes about 15 huge marshmallows
recipe adapted from smitten kitchen 

2 envelopes of unflavoured gelatin (that's about 1 Tablespoon + 1 1/4 teaspoons)
1/2 cup of cold water (divided)
1 cup of white sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 large egg white
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (not needed, but it makes it extra special)
Confectioners' sugar (at least a cup, if not more)

1)  In the bottom of your standing mixer (or a big bowl), combine your gelatin with 1/4 of your cold water. Give it a quick mix, then set aside.

2) In a heavy saucepan, whisk together your sugar, corn syrup, salt, and the other 1/4 of cold water under low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Increase the heat and boil until your candy thermometer reads 240F. Remove from heat and pour into your gelatin/water mixture, that has been sitting nicely at the bottom of your mixing bowl. Mix on high for about 10 minutes, or until everything has turned white and has tripled in volume.

3) While this is mixing, whip up your egg white until it's reached stiff peaks. Spoon the egg whites into your marshmallow mixture and continue to whip until everything is combined.

4) Cover a 5 x 8 pan with confectioners' sugar and spatula in your marshmallow mix. Careful - it's going to be super sticky. Smooth everything out and cover the top with more confectioners' sugar. Chill until firm (about three hours or so), then remove from pan, cut into desired slices, and roll finished marshmallows in another layer of icing sugar. Defend Townsville from evil.