I must have been in a good mood when I decided earlier this week to make some sweets as teacher presents this year. It seemed good idea at the time but that was before I realised what a hugely messy and time consuming process it would be! The chocolate truffles were relatively painless but the marrons glace were a different story. My fingernails are now rather ragged and I have 2 sugar burns - I do hope that the teachers like them and it was all worth it!
First slit the chestnuts and simmer them. At the same time make a vanilla sugar syrup
peel the chestnuts (allow at least an hour for this and give up now if you need nice nails in the next few days!!)
poach the chestnuts in the vanilla syrup
and bring to the boil for 25 minutes
drain and dip into a second stronger sugar syrup then dry overnight on a rack
pack in twists of cellophane and bag up. Then have a very large glass of wine and make a mental note to do shop bought next year!