Vessel 02 - Circe
Is witchcraft just will power? 🔮 Circe discovered her own power through the circumstances she was put in and eventually learned to use it to protect herself and the people she loves.
My last piece, Artemis, was about armor and disconnection. Lately, I’ve found myself more willing to say yes to opportunities, connections and experiences I would have previously talked myself out of.
The not so fun part is that this is quite a fragile phase, like the fried rice paper I’m using. Every yes could lead to a total crumble. Speaking of, ever witnessed a woman crash out and rage eat rice paper?
But I guess that’s just part of the process. And the fun part is, it also feels like playing a puzzle. Every move I make helps me see things more clearly, even when it doesn’t quite make sense in the moment. Hopefully, I’ll reach flow state in the next phase, where every piece of the puzzle just falls into place effortlessly.
Cheers to willpower and saying yes more often! 🥂
RECIPE
Here are all the components we’ll need, with a dedicated deep-dive section for each:
Deep Fried Rice Paper
Edible Glue: Isomalt at the hard-crack stage, kept on a heat source.
Sculpting!
Red Cabbage Ice Cube
Your Choice of Margarita Recipe
Deep Fried Rice Paper
Heat the vegetable oil to 350°F. Monitor the temperature closely to prevent the rice paper from burning, as it will turn yellowish.
Tip for Creating More Dimension: Use a swirling motion with chopsticks as soon as the rice paper hits the surface of the oil to create a more dynamic, textured shape.
(photo shows without swirling vs with swirling)
Edible Glue
I tested the following options, but none provided a strong enough bond to hold the rice paper in place overnight. Some options could not even adhere the rice paper to the glass surface.
Simple Syrup or Honey Syrup: Failed to adhere the rice paper to the glass surface.
Rice Paste: Failed to adhere the rice paper to the glass surface.
Glucose: Takes too long to adhere to the surface and does not provide a strong enough bond to hold overnight.
Gum Paste: Creates a large, visible glue spot that is aesthetically unappealing, making it unsuitable for further testing.
Isomalt for the Win!
Heat the isomalt crystals to 300 - 310°F (hard-crack stage). Be sure to use a thermometer to monitor the temperature and visually check that no browning occurs.
Important Note: Once the isomalt is removed from the heat source, it hardens very quickly. I kept it warm using a small fondue set. You have approximately 1 second between removing it from the heat and applying it to the rice paper. Make sure YOU KNOW exactly where you want the rice paper to be before applying the isomalt, as there is very little room for adjustment.
SCULPTING
The most challenging part is learning how to avoid overcrowding the space while creating an airy, expansive feel, all while ensuring the structure remains stable enough to hold overnight.
Here’s an example of how one small adjustment can make a big difference.
RED CABBAGE ICE CUBE
Thinly slice the red cabbage into strips. Boil for 5 minutes, then strain to separate the cabbage from the purple liquid.
Allow the purple liquid to cool completely, then pour it into an ice cube mold and freeze overnight.
Why not use butterfly pea flower without the vegetal flavor instead?
It comes down to color preference. Butterfly pea flower cannot achieve the deep purple hue I’m looking for and create the dramatic color transformation when it comes into contact with the margarita.
The goal is to achieve a striking purple to pink color shift through a change in pH.
Does it taste odd once it melts?
For the first few sips, I don't notice any unusual taste. Also, based on my drinking speed, the ice never fully melts before I finish the margarita. So, in my opinion, the amount of red cabbage water released into the drink is perfectly acceptable.