I have two stories that I remember relating to the fudge...
Making fudge with Dad was always an adventure, and always special. It was one of those special things that he did for us only after he and Mom split and it was a great way for us to bond with him in a new context. What I remember most about it probably comes from the very first time Dad made the fudge and how very hard it was to get the concoction to just the right temp. At first he eschewed the water drop test (drop a bit of the hot melty mass in a glass of water and if forms perfect little spheres then it's just right, if not ... not) and we ended up with fudge that was a gooey mess or the consistency was all wrong. How many batches did we waste because we didn't do that simple test? And even when we started doing that water drop test it was REALLY HARD to get the fudge just so ... I'm sure the crappy electric stove he had in his townhouse didn't help at all.
The second story isn't really about the fudge but I think of it every time I think about Dad's fudge.
When I was in 5th grade our class took a trip to Chaco Canyon in Northern NM. My teacher at the time, Mrs. Froehlich was very strict but also one of my favorites and her husband, Dr. Froehlich, was an Anthropologist (I liked them so much that over a decade later I made sure to take several of his classes at UNM).
Anyway, on the way back from that trip, we're cruising down this deeply rutted road in Dad's old orange and white Chevy pickup. Now I can't remember if what happened was while were in motion or maybe we had stopped for a break but one of the other student's Mom -- Carol White -- was attempting to share some toffee but we were in the high desert so it had all melted together. Dad offered her his super-sharp pocket knife and while she was trying to cut out some pieces of the toffee, she promptly stabbed the knife through the toffee, the paper plate, her jeans and deep into her thigh. Ouch.
As I recall, but this part is a bit murky, it was all OK with a few stitches - but wow!
Fudge and Pocket Knives, what weird things to associate in my memory!
Well, Dad has long since perfected the water drop test and the making of fudge so it's now a much sought-after holiday delectable!
The kicker? Dad told me recently that recipe comes from the back of Tollhouse chocolate bag.
The fudge is fantastic though and so many happy memories, from a difficult time, started with the fudge.
The Recipe:
4 Cups Sugar
1 Large Can of Evaporated Milk
1 Cup Margarine or Butter
12 oz Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
1 pint (approximately) Marshmallow Cream
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts are my favorite, but could be the nut of your choice)
Cut the butter into small cubes
Melt the sugar, evaporated milk and butter together to the softball stage (about 7 minutes, 45 seconds AFTER boiling reaches the middle of the pot)
STIR CONSTANTLY - no breaks!
Remove pan from heat and mix in the chocolate chips, marshmallow cream and vanilla.
Stir until well-mixed and add nuts (if desired).
Pour into a 9x12 baking dish and let cool.
