Two queries

[violachic]

1) Attention sci-fi literature afficionados: I've really enjoyed The Doomsday Book and To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis (and just finished reading Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men in a Boat (to say nothing of the dog) which was inspiration for the latter). Are there any other of her novels, that you know of, that are also set in the same universe? To wit, the time-travel lab at Oxford University, Mr. Dunworthy and all.


2) Attention those who bake/cook: Any advice for working with egg whites? I have this marvelous cookie recipe that is basically egg whites, granulated sugar, vanilla, and chocolate chips. Sometimes the egg whites stiffen up beautifully, and the end result is a gorgeous, light, crispy cookie. Sometimes they don't, and I end up with sweet chocolate chip goo. I don't have enough experience to tell what I've done when they've turned out right. I'd really love to perfect this recipe every time.

**ETA: this is the recipe**




Thank you!

Comments

[ironheadjane.livejournal.com]

egg whites -- you should make macaroons.

[violachic.livejournal.com]

this (http://violachic.livejournal.com/38928.html?nc=1) is the recipe I'm making. Not entirely unlike macaroons.

[andromeda77.livejournal.com]

Add a little cream of tartar for nice, stiff egg whites.

[violachic.livejournal.com]

I'll try that, thank you!

[ironheadjane.livejournal.com]

I just read your icon as "too many obvious escapes."

[violachic.livejournal.com]

yes, too many, which is why I need to work on more subtle escapes

[splagxna.livejournal.com]

i think one of her short stories is in the same world (i believe it's in the collection... fire... something? shoot. or, no. i think the collection is 'impossible dreams.')

that's my favorite of her worlds, too. however, i strongly, strongly, strongly recommend 'passage' (or maybe it's passages? not sure, but you should really read it - all people, but you particularly).

[violachic.livejournal.com]

Yes, I got that book of short stories out of the library this summer. the whole book is fabulous! I was hoping she had more novels there, but I've been told all her books are really wonderful.

[splagxna.livejournal.com]

no more novels that i'm aware of. those are among my faves of her books (that and passages, mentioned above) but i don't think i've ever read any of her work that i didn't like.

[andelku.livejournal.com]

Lincoln's Dreams and Passages are not in the same world, but they're both wonderful anyway.

[rennie-frog.livejournal.com]

Egg whites... are temperamental. If there is ANY yolk or oil, they won't fluff up properly. They fluff better when they're at room temperature. And, according to _The Joy of Cooking_ meringues don't work well when the humidity is high. The age of the eggs may have something to do with it too, but sources disagree on what age of egg is best.

[strawberry83.livejournal.com]

Agreed on all points...

Room Temp eggs=good
NO fats or they will not really stiffen AT ALL (oil, yolk, etc.)
Small amounts of cream of tartar will help them out-like andromeda77 said (unless you use a copper bowl to whisk them)

They aren't as tricky as they seem once you get it right once (if that makes sense). :)

I'd love to help if you need it! (I just made 110 cookies in the past two days!)

[fille-de-livre.livejournal.com]

With the no fats thing - it is next to impossible to remove all of the fats from plastic. So avoid plastics. Additionally, always use an extra bowl to break the egg whites, so that there is no accidental fat contamination.
Copper bowls really work. Give us a call if you want to borrow ours.

You can also add crushed peppermint candies to that recipe and it is really yummy.