Mars, the red planet
You may have seen that PowerPoint presentation about the upcoming visit by the planet Mars that is due to happen in August this summer. I found it exciting to learn that I would get to experience yet another astronomical phenomenon during my lifetime. Remember how we all got excited about the appearance of Haley’s Comet in 1986 – at least those of us who were born at that time! Lunar and solar eclipses, especially those that occur where I can fully experience them, just fascinate me. Given the opportunity, I plan to take some classes in astronomy when I retire. My local university allows senior adults (OMG) to audit classes, and they have a really nice planetarium. That’s one of the goals on my Bucket List (to be written about at another time).
I was around when Alan Shepherd was hurled into space – even if only briefly and when John Glenn made his historic orbit around the Earth. We even got to bring televisions to school just so we could see that one live! (I’m really telling my age now.) It was at that point that we all decided to become astronauts, but I don’t think any of my classmates ever pursued it.
Since Mars is the second closest planet to Earth, I think we should be neighborly and check it out. It can usually be seen quite easily with a telescope – which I don’t have unfortunately. I think it will likely be the first planet humans visit one of these days. I know it is named in honor of Mars, the Roman god of war, but I hope we go in peace when we do visit. It’s also known as “the red planet” and that happens to be one of my most favorite colors (my kitchen is Sherwin-Williams Ruby Gem).
In honor of Mars’s arrival, I’m posting the following two recipes. I think they are fun ones to do with the kiddos. The Mars Bars candy recipe might be more than you would want to tackle with little ones, but the Rice Krispies Squares should be easy enough to do.
Homemade Mars Bars
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1 pinch salt
2 egg whites
3/4 cup toasted whole almonds
35 caramels
2 tablespoons water
milk chocolate for dipping
Bring sugar, water, corn syrup and salt to a boil and cook to 270 degrees F (use a candy thermometer). While this is cooking beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. When the candy hits 270 degrees F, pour it in a thin stream over the egg whites while continuously beating with an electric mixer. (If you’ve ever made divinity, it is similar to that.) Continue to mix for around 20 minutes or until the texture resembles dough. Mix in the almonds and press into a greased 9-inch pan. Cool. While it is cooling, melt the caramels with water and pour over the almond fondant. Chill until firm. Working quickly, cut the candy into 24 pieces. Chill again and then dip each piece into the melted chocoate. Immediately chll until the chocolate is completely set. Store in an airtight container, separating with wax paper to prevent leaking caramel from sticking them together.
Mars Bar Rice Krispie Squares
3 regular size Mars bars
1/2 cup butter
2 cups Rice Krispies
1 cup milk chocolate chips
Melt butter and Mars bars over medium-low heat in large saucepan until smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in Rice Krispies. Press into greased 9-inch square pan. Top with chocolate chips and place under broiler for 30 seconds. Remove from oven and pread chocolate evenly over squares. Put in the refrigerator to set the chocolate for 30 minutes to 1 hours. Cut into squares and serve. Keep tightly covered.
Do you remember how you learned the names of the planets? I was taught: Mary Virginia Eats Muscadine Jelly Sandwiches Under Neath the Porch. This translated, of course, into Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Nepture, and Pluto. Poor Pluto. Dwarf. Lonely. Freezing. I feel so sorry for it now that it is no longer a planet. It seems to me that we just decided to pick on the little guy again. I’m thinking about forming a Facebook support group to bring Pluto back. Care to join me?
Now for the truth —
Apparently, this hoax has been fooling lots of people including me for a long time. I was soooooo looking forward to bidding hello to My Favorite Martian and sharing my Homemade Mars Bars!
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