Some of you may know from twitter or facebook that my husband has recently gone into hospital. Bizarrely it’s for something totally unexpected and sudden. One night he came home from work at about midnight as he was on a deadline. One of his elbows (his left one, not his mouse hand) was so swollen it looks like he had a tennis ball stuck on the end of it – an angry red tennis ball that is. He went to sleep and at 4am I was awoken by rustling. He was driving himself to the hospital. Immediately awake, I told him I would drive him but he said that it wasn’t anything major. All morning I received scattered text messages on his progress. For that 8 hours I literally sat in front of my computer doing things on rote checking my phone hundreds of times for news and this cycle repeated itself over the next few days. As they always do, my parents swung into action and offered copious amounts of help and lifts to and from hospital although my dad’s driving on the North Side of the Harbour Bridge seems to leave behind a wake of beeping car horns.
This week was also full of blogger events. I missed the two I was scheduled to go to on the day he went into hospital but he urged me to go the others despite my wanting to curl up next to him in the hospital bed and never leave. He was right though, I was hopeless at home. The cleaning hasn’t been done, nor has the shopping and I hadn’t cooked a single thing the whole time and all I can do it sit at my computer and worry. So I went out last night and night before and saw people and it was a wonderful distraction. And I learnt never to judge people in crisis or anyone that has had loved ones pass or fallen ill. Sometimes what people consider “partying” with pursed lip disapproval is just a way of coping with things. To be around other people is soothing and normalising.
Fast forward to 4 days after he first checked in and he is still in hospital after been operated on. They don’t know exactly when he will be out but his condition has stabilised and in a sign that I am taking that he is improving, he has asked for his favourite ever dish, the Coronation Pasta Salad. He told me that I absolutely had to do my interview on the radio on Radio 89.7FM at 4pm on Natascha Moy’s Food in Focus program. She mentioned that I might like to make something for them to eat. I was a little beside myself. I hadn’t cooked in 4 days and in that time I should have knocked out 3 desserts and 2 mains for the blog. I was sipping on Violet Lemonade and it came to me and I decided to do a simple Chocolate and Violet fudge. Something that would take 30 minutes to make at the most. So I could go back to staring at my computer of course.
The fudge itself is smooth despite the slightly rough looking surface and the crystallised violets give it an intermittent, delicate crunch. I used a blend of milk and dark chocolate but I don’t think using just Dark Chocolate would be a bad idea as the fudge is so sweet, any reservations about a bitter fudge are balanced by the sweetness.
I’d also like to say a big thankyou to my wonderful readers and friends who have supported me over the past few days by messaging me on twitter, facebook and email about my husband and a recent strange situation with a restaurant. It’s lovely to know that you can get support and a virtual hug from so many people so this sweet is a tribute to you! A sweet that is a virtual hug in itself 
So tell me Dear Reader, which food gives you a virtual hug? A chocolate cake? Your mum’s soup? Your Nanna’s pudding?
And you can listen to make today at 4pm on 98.7FM on the Food in Focus program on Eastside Radio!
Simple Chocolate & Violet Fudge
An original recipe by Not Quite Nigella
- 150ml cream
- 55grams of butter
- 2 cups of sugar
- 200g marshmallows
- 350g dark and milk chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons crystallised violets plus about 10 violets roughly crushed to sprinkle on top
1. Line a loaf tin with foil and using a pastry brush, lightly brush a flavourless oil (eg rice bran, grapeseed or a mild olive oil) on the base and sides of the foil. In a large heavy based saucepan on low heat, dissolve sugar with milk and butter. Clip the sugar thermometer to the pan Increase heat to just below medium. Whilst stirring wait until the mixture reaches 238F/118°C (soft ball stage). Be patient, it takes about 10 minutes and the thermometer will sit on 220-230 for what seems like forever. You may get little caramelised bits floating to the top. Knock back the heat a little if there are too many.
2. Remove from heat and immediately stir in chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons violets and marshmallows. Stir with wooden spoon to smooth out mixture. Immediately place in prepared tin (it sets relatively quickly) and sprinkle with extra crystallised violets.
3. Cut into squares when completely set using a lightly oiled, warm knife.
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now?
NQN on Facebook
RSS
72 Comments | Add your own
My thoughts are with you and your husband for a healthy recovery. I love the idea of cooking with flowers, your fudge looks so beautiful. Good luck with your radio interview and thanks for the recipe!
My homemade sausage rolls are my little bit of comfort! I was inspired by your post and made these last night: http://repertoirefood.blogspot.com/2009/06/sausage-rollsa-little-bit-of-love.html, though I wish they were made by my Mum! Best wishes for your husbands recovery
Simple, yet hyper delicious and so refined! A great treat!
Cheers,
Rosa
Sorry to hear about the sudden emergency. How strange! I hope he makes a full recovery from the operation soon!
I hope your dear hubby is well on the way to a full recovery. Had a trip in an ambulance with Ruby yesterday with her own swelling. No mystery though, just a head first swan dive into our tiled floor. Thank goodness she has a rock hard skull.
Also your Ripples review was fab and really has me wanting to go there. I wouldn’t even have considered eating there without reading your encounter.
It is definitely a good sign that he is asking for his favourite dish. I’m sending another virtual hug! I was going to do this fudge after seeing a recipe in Gourmet Traveller, it looks so gorgeous. Best of luck for your radio interview too, how exciting!
These chocolate fudge looks delectable! And the added violets certainly makes it the more interesting. Good luck with the radio program Lorraine and I do hope that your husband is on course to recovery.
Stay strong and positive, and know that there are many people around who care about and support you. My best wishes to your husband to get well soon!
My fave comfort foods are either fried eggs on rice (like the Chinese Homestyle Eggs you posted earlier => http://www.notquitenigella.com/2009/05/26/chinese-homestyle-eggs-the-10-minute-dinner/)
or anything chocolatey
Hey, I hope your husband is doing better. I think you did a wonderful job for this fudge!
Situations such as yours are very scary, but it certainly seems you are surrounded by a loving family. Hang in there. I truly hope your husband has a speedy recovery.
Your fudge looks gorgeous.
Oh no! I hope your husband continues on to make a full recovery.
The fudge looks great – I love chocolate and violet together.
My favorite comfort food is probably my mom’s spaghetti sauce. It’s one of my favorite foods, period.
Oh I totally relate to feeling helpless in a health crisis but I’m a bit the opposite as it pushes me into a frenzy of cooking for people, the sick person, the person looking after the sick person – it’s how I show my love and support I suppose!
That fudge looks sinful!! yum.
My virtual hug foods would be either some yummy belgian chocolate or my pick me up soup. In summer it’s my caesar (but only when it’s made by me in peace!)
I hope your hubby is on the road to recovery and will be home with you soon so you can fuss over him and get your groove back xx
hope your husband gets better. sometimes getting back into the kitchen can be a distraction for me.
i don’t eat a whole lot of fudge but this one looks good and I almost want to eat it off the page.
as for a food that gives me a virtual hug, that would have to be cheesecake – my favourite!
I really hope he feels better, girl! Good food always seems to do the trick. Stay strong and power on!
*virtual hug!* Hope he gets better really soon!
I don’t think it’s so much the food that works as a hug as in the cooking itself – exam depression got so much better after baking brownies last night!
I just found out about your husband on facebook today, have not been good with blogs lately due to finals. :S I hope he’s feeling better now, and that you are too. It must have been a very worrying time for you! Have they found out what it was?
I think the food that gives me the best ‘virtual hug’ is chocolate. It never fails to make me feel that little bit better, especially in times of stress! Terrible but true.
Oh and is there any way listening to your radio appearance if we’re not in Australia? Do let us know if it’s possible! x
Hope he is OK. I didnt realise he had been in for so many days. Do they know what it is?
Take care and good luck for this afternoon – you will be GREAT!!
Hope your hubby gets 100% well soon.
Virtual hug dessert for me is good tasting eclair
Virtual hug dish is Indonesian Oxtail Soup
Oh babe, what a week you have had! I think the universe must have been against you.
Glad hubby is doing well and everyone has been offering you support =)
We have had something similar with my boyfriend’s mother but they are finally getting to the diagnosis stage which is good =)
This fudge looks amazing!
xoxo
Best wishes for your Husband (and yourself), I hope he gets better soon. Will try and listen out for your radio interview. The fudge looks very beautiful
How strange with your hubby – hope he’s back home with you soon!
That fudge looks gorgeous. I need to buy a sugar thermometer and give it a go!
Hope your husband gets well soon! Be strong and keep faith =)
Comfort food is always a nice distraction!
Sorry you’re going through such a stressful time at the moment, hope Mr NQN makes a speedy recovery! Sending a virtual hug.
I’m sorry to hear that your husband is in the hospital, I hope he gets to come home soon and wishing him speedy recovery.
Hope the poor hub recovers really soon. It’s a beautiful balance in relationship the 2 of you have. Wonderful! Wish I could have tuned in to 98.7. The horns on the North side of Harbour Bridge made me smile. That’s one of my fave drives in Sydney-the 2 times we’ve been there! The fudge is GORGEOUS, & so are the pictures!
Lorraine, wishing you and your hubby all the luck in the world with his recovery. These are gorgeous and I am certain they’ll aid in his recovery xxoo
I’m so glad to see you’re coping well and you decided to come out last night! I hope the conversations and 30 dishes of food proved a welcome distraction! Glad to see your hubbie on the way to recovery
Much love xx
I hope Mr NQN is on the road to recovery now. Send our hugs (or at least best wishes) on to him.
I’ve never had violet lemonade – how is it? The crystallised violets are a very pretty touch on the fudge.
I hope that your husband makes an oh so swift recovery and that he’ll be at home soon.
That fudge looks lovely!
Heavens what a rough time you’ve been having lately! My heart goes out to you & I do hope your husband makes a speedy recovery. What on earth was it? With your wonderful food I’m sure you’ll have him fighting fit in next to no time. Virtual hugs to you both
)
Best wishes for your husband’s recovery. It is definitely a good sign that he is asking for his favorite dish.
All the best for the radio interview.
That fudge looks WOW!!!!
oh my gosh, Lorraine, I didn’t know! Hope he is feeling better and you are feeling better too! Can’t listen to the radio program, but I look forward to reading about it.
Big big hugs from Tokyo!
oh.. wish your husband gets well soon…
your fudge looks beautiful ! I don’t really like eating fudge but this one seems so tempting
my comfort food will be chinese style omlette on rice .. always good forever.
Sorry to hear about your husband – I hope that he is on the road to a speedy recovery. Your fudge looks delicious – as does the violet lemonade.
Wah! I don’t want virtual fudge, I want actual fudge!!!!
Glad to hear he’s getting better, you need him so you can order twice the amount and blog it all for us. There might be other things you need him for too, but we’re only interested in the food …
Best wishes to you and your husband. I hope he is back home with you soon. I usually have ice cream for a virtual hug but it’s a bit cold for that in Sydney right now, so for winter it’s congee. The fudge looks delicious!
Wishing all the best and quick recovery for your husband!
Your fudge looks absolutely tempting! And greetings from Helsinki, this time…
Oh my GOD… I dont read blogs for three days and then this! Oh No Lorraine – I hope hubby is getting better very soon and that he will be back from the hospital in no time.
*hugs* x1000!
Look at all the support you are getting.
You are lucky and I am sure your husband will be fine and eating side by side with you again soon.
I have no idea where to get crystallised violets from!! But i have been looking for a fudge recipe, so thanks
OMG!! heavenly gorgeous!! perfect for dessert.. m sure gonna try this.. vat an excellent photography!! keep it up.
cheers!!
Dear Lorraine, I hope your husband will feel better soon,…
This chocolate & violet fudge looks divine & to pair that with violet lemonade must taste great!
Do you make your own violet lemonade & how do you do it: it sounds so lovely!
Lorraine, so sorry to hear about your husband. I hope things improve quickly and he’s home soon.
I am so sorry to hear about your husband going to the hospital! I didn’t see the news on twitter.
Here’s hoping for a suprisingly fast recovery!
-big hugs for you and your family-
Also, the fudge looks lovely.
Best wishes and virtual hugs to you and your husband. And I’m sure you will both find comfort in your delicious food creations.
PS: I tried to listen to your radio broadcast but couldn’t get a decent signal – will it be podcast?
Sorry to hear about hubby. Hope evrything settles down for you soon.
When I has the sads…creme brulee always does it for me
Glad to hear that your husband is feeling better, hope he gets the all clear soon! Good luck on your radio interview too!
Oh, I heard you on the radio today! Ah, I was so excited! You were great
And of course, I heard they loved this fudge. Congratulations! Glad to hear your husband’s condition has stablised. *Sending a virtual hug* 
Congrats on your radio interview and hope hubby makes a speedy recovery! And I agree, good company is often the best medicine.
wow that sounds lovely and looks beautiful
what a gorgeous batch of fudge! it almost seems wrong to associate it with the trauma being suffered by your husband–i hope and pray everything works out, and soon!
(But not the other lowercase anna, at Post 11, who is your normal lowercase anna.)
Good thoughts are being thought for you and yours.
Comfort food for me is chicken and rice soup, chicken and dumplings to my mom’s recipe, and almost anything that mixes chocolate and peanut butter.
My thoughts, prayers and virtual hugs go out to you and Mr NQN for a speedy recovery.
You have the most ingenious flavour combinations – thanks for sharing.
I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s hand.. I hope the doctors will find what caused it and that he will have a speedy recovery.
I hope that he continues to make a good recovery, Lorraine! And I totally understand about having to distract yourself by going out—it really helps to keep you sane.
The fudge looks fantastic. I love that the violet is on the top so that it is not only pretty but you have an intense first hit of the violet flavour.
best wishes to your husband and you for a speedy recovery – normal life never seems so desirable as at a time like this
that chocolate violet fudge looks divine and a great comfort food too
Oh Lorraine, time like this is very hard and especially we don’t have definite & immediate solutions to act… Hope his operation went well and he’ll recover soon.
The fudge looks beautiful, what is it about dark color and violet that makes things tight and slick?
Congrats on your radio appearance! Unfortunately I was outside and missed
Are you uploading anytime soon? *hint hint*
Oh Lorraine I’m sorry to hear about your hubby’s hospitalisation but fingers, toes and everything else crossed for a speedy recovery! Many virtual hugs to you and him.
The fudge looks delicious btw!
Hi Meg-Thankyou so much! You’re very welcome!
Hi Penny-yum! They sound delicious! Homemade sausage rolls always remind me of Primary School
They look fantastic. Thankyou!
Hi Rosa-Thanks!
Hi Y-Thanks! I hope so too
Hi Belinda-Thanks so much!
David mentioned it, she’s so tough isn’t she! Oh very cool! It’s so nice on a sunny day. 
Hi Steph-I like to think so!
Thankyou so much 
I think it went well-it was so much fun!
Hi Trisha-I love adding crystallised violets, they are so delicate and aromatic! Thankyou!
Hi Pam-Thanks so much, I will. You are too kind!
Ahh great choices and very comforting indeed! 
Hi Karine-Thankyou! I think they really liked it which is great
Hi Bethie-I was very scared but I think he is getting better
Yes family and good friends are wonderful indeed. Thankyou so much! 
Hi anna-Thankyou so much
Oh that sounds delicious indeed 
Hi Liss-I wish it did that to me! Although perhaps it will once he comes home. he idea of cooking for myself isn’t so appealing! Great virtual hug foods!
Thankyou so much!
Hi Panda-Thanks! yes I might give it a go this week now that he’s on the road to recovery
It’s quite sweet isn’t it! Oh yum, yes a good slice of cheesecake is lovely indeed 
Hi Morta Di Fame-Thankyou so much! I shall try!
Hi Chris-Aww thankyou!
I think he’s on the way for sure 
That sounds like a great antidote to exams, I hope you’re ok now?
Hi Su-yin-It’s exam season isn’t it! Thankyou so much. Yes it’s bursitis via an infection from his work desk of all things! Quite scary how quickly it comes on. I’m with you, chocolate is comforting indeed
I’m going to try and upload it if I can!
Hi Vita-Thankyou! Yes it kept getting longer and longer. We think that he will be in for about 2 weeks. Yep it’s bursitis caused by an infection. So random and so debilitating! Thankyou so much!
Hi Tuty-Thankyou so much! Oooh I really want to have an Oxtail Soup again
Hi Iron Chef Shellie-I know, crap week but I suppose that means that this coming week will be good? Haha nah I didn’t think that but I did have a chuckle at how trouble happens in threes. Oh that’s good, I hope you guys are ok!
thankyou! xxx
Hi Anita-Thankyou very much!
You are too kind 
Hi KT-Thanks! It was quite strange indeed
I have to say that my sugar thermometer has gotten quite a bit of use so I’m glad I bought it 
Hi jess-Thankyou! I shall
It is isn’t it!
Hi Moya-Thanks so much
Aww shucks you are too sweet!
Hi 5 Star Foodie-Thankyou for your wishes!
Hi deeba-Thanks so much! It is, and I don’t think we appreciated it until this happened. Hehe I never noticed how my dad drove until the other day
Oh you’ve been to Sydney twice? How fabulous! Was it long ago? 
Thankyou!
Hi Kathryn-Thankyou so much!
He managed to gobble down a few pieces so I hope that’s a good sign 
Hi Karen-Thanks so much
Yes I just had to-the idea of a Friday night alone at home was not appealing! It did thanks 
xxx
Hi Arwen-Thankyou! I shall most certainly
It’s delicious actually! And quite Violet-y too! Thanks 
Hi Jo-Thankyou so much on both fronts!
Hi Elaine-Thanks so much, yes although as the saying goes, onwards and upwards! Thankyou! It was a bursitis caused by an infection but they weren’t able to find the bacteria and therefore treat it. Thankyou so much, you are too kind!
Hi Nachiketa-Thankyou very much! It was an exciting time and good that I knew he was getting better
Thanks!
Hi Taiko Tari-Thankyou!
I’ll try and upload it as I taped it 
Thanks for the hugs I can feel them from here! 
Hi Ja-Thankyou! Hehe I’m quite picky about my fudge but I have to say that I liked this one as it was creamy
Hi Cakelaw-Thanks so much!
Hi SydneyGal-Hehe well that’s what the recipe is for!
Thanks, I know I miss him and our food adventures. Ha well I only blog about the food! 
Hi SC-Thankyou! I am hoping some time this week
Ahh yes congee for the cold is great! Thankyou 
Hi yaellian-Thankyou so much! Oh fantastic, how is Helsinki?
Hi Esz-yes it was so sudden
Thankyou so much! I can feel the hugs 
xxx
Hi Tara-It’s so amazing and wonderful
I hope it won’t be too long before he is sucking down soem Shanghai dumplings! You can get them from Alfresco Emporium or Essential ingredient 
This fudge recipe is a neverfail! 
Hi nora-Thanks so much!
Hi Sophie-Thankyou! I bought it from the markets. I bought a bottle a while back just to try and then fell in love with it!
Hi Julia-Thankyou! I do too
Hi ArtemisIII-Thanks so much. I didn’t twitter much about it as I didn’t know much (it was more about the strange restaurant situation) Thankyou for the hugs, that’s so sweet
Hi Belle-Thankyou very much
Oh no, I wonder why? I will try and upload it 
Hi Shaz-Thanks, I hope so too
Ahhh yes a brulee or a crema catalana is fabulous indeed 
Hi Jenny-Thanks yes all I need is recovery to speed up as he’s missed at home! Thankyou!
Hi Betty-Oh cool! Aww thanks, I wasn’t sure how I’d come across
I’m so glad and relieved that they liked it! Aww thanks for the virtual hug too! 
Hi Helen-Thanks! Me too, not long now I guess! I’m no good alone as I love being with people too much
Hi Justine-Thanks so much!
Hi grace-Aww thanks, you are too sweet!
Hi anna-hehe oh cool! yes I can see your email address although readers can’t
Thankyou so much! Oh yes they sound lovely and warming (which is like a hug) and pb and choc-fantastic! 
Hi Shanks-Thankyou so much! I confess I love using violet in things
You’re welcome!
Hi Carolyn-Thanks so much, I think he’s on his way to being home this week
Hi Angela-Thankyou! It does doesn’t it! Yep I love using them as they give such a nice crunch and a strong aroma too
Hi Johanna-Thanks so much!
That is so true. I yearn for our routine right now. Thankyou!
Hi Yas-Thankyou. I’m such a planner and unexpected things like this really throw me. Thankyou so much, I think he will
Thankyou! The colours that work together so well. I will, thanks for your help 
Hi Forager-Thankyou and thankyou for your virtual hugs
Thanks!
That’s drop dead gorgeous … and totally unique! Sorry to hear abt the stress situation with hubbs in the hospital, but I’m so happy hez better now!
I hope your hubs will fully recover soon! The fudge is gorgeous! Those are like virtual hugs for me =)
Oh No! Hope your husband is recovering now!!
Love the fudge, looks amazing!!
That sucks about your hubby but hopefully he is well on the way to recovery.
Hope the radio interview went well too!
I hope your better half’s doing better now. That elbow must’ve been dreadfully painful!
(Oh, and would it do to substitute roses for the violets? I can find the crystallized rose petals in local shops, but haven’t seen violets anywhere!)
Hi Muneeba-Thankyou so much! He’s getting much better now
Hi pigpigscorner-Thanks! Hehe that’s great!
Hi Dorcas-Thankyou very much for both points!
Hi Rilsta-He is getting better every day. Thanks I think it did!
Hi Midge-Thanks. He was in a lot of pain! Yep you can definitely use crystallised roses for this.
I’m so glad your husband is doing better! The fudge looks amazing. I’ve never had crystallised violets – very elegant!
Prayers are with you and your husband, all will be well. Fudge looks great!!!
oH! I hope he is feeling better & gets to com home soon. My thoughts are with you.. & will keep looking for updates. My life goes in a whirlwind without my hubby.. forget him getting sick:-( Hugs to you girl.
the brownies look gorgeous.. love the clean cut slices. Lvoe the sound of violets!
Hi Barbara-Thankyou so much! He might be coming home tomorrow (albeit with equipment attached to him). Thanks!
Hi roxanne-Thankyou very much for your wishes!
Hi Soma-Thankyou!
The doctor said that he might be home tomorrow and they’ll do a hospital at home kind of thing. Got to love the Australian medical system 
I know exactly what you mean! Thankyou 
Everything will be alright, honey! I’m sure. My fingers are crossed here, even though I’m half a planet away. Have faith!
My mom’s warm rice pudding is what comforts me in moments of despair. And it’s even greater that I get to remember here while I’m eating it.
I saw a violet fudge once at Gourmet Traveller’s website but it called for evaporated milk and that is hard to find here. I’ll be trying your version!
Hi Patricia-Thanks so mcuh darling! You are too sweet. He has come home now and I’m having fun looking after him although he is a terrible patient
Oh that sounds divine! Oh really, I had no idea that it was hard to find there. This one is much easier
Gorgeous,Bautiful,And so yummie. Thanks for this post.
One Trackback/Pingback
[...] Chocolate Violet Fudge from Not Quite [...]
Post a Comment