The Thumbsuckle //
A Recipe for Automatic Comfort _
For Rec Rec Rec Mag / Winter 2015
A Recipe
The Thumbsuckle is an edible way to address the existential need for stress release and comfort. In a study with premature infants, researchers found that those who sucked their thumbs become emotionally more independent at a younger age and have higher self-confidence. Rhythmic sucking actually optimized the heart beats and breathing patterns, slowing them and regularizing the rhythms. Due to aesthetic considerations and social constrains as well as the belief in the need to find other ways to cope with anxiety, thumb-sucking has been ostracized for adults. To give permission and allow for aforementioned health benefits, we have develop the Thumbsuckle. Get ready for automatic comfort!
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tb lavender extract
- 1 cup heavy or whipping cream
- 4oz salted butter, room temperature
- coarse sea salt
- special equipment: candy thermometer
Combine sugar, honey, and lavender extract in a large non-reactive pot. Turn on the heat and let the sugar and honey melt and cook until caramelized (it will slowly become a deep, dark brown color.) While the sugar is cooking, bring the cream to a simmer. When the sugar reaches the color you like, whisk in the butter in small knobs, until well mixed, then add the warmed cream, whisk until smooth. We let this mixture cook until the temperature reached 233F. Pour the hot caramel onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment. Let cool about ten minutes, and then sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Continue to let it come to room temperature, and then cut into small rectangles, roll, and wrap around your thumb or save in packets of parchment or waxed paper for later. Alternate flavors may include: chamomile, valerian, passionflower, marigold and linden flower.