POP ROCK CANDIES RECIPES

Steps:

• Line a sheet tray with a silicone baking mat and lay down 1 ice pop stick in the center. Set aside.
• Set a 4-ounce ladle over low heat about 2 inches above the flame and add the sugar. Stir with the chopsticks, swirling constantly until the sugar dissolves and turns pale light yellow (it should be fragrant like caramel and resemble diluted honey), about 2 minutes.  
• Stir in the baking soda and whisk vigorously for 5 seconds, still working 2 inches above the flame, and remove from the heat. Continue whisking until the baking soda is completely dissolved and the sugar doubles in volume, becomes frothy and turns light caramel color, about 10 seconds.  
• Pour the sugar immediately onto the tip of the ice pop stick on the silicone mat, scraping down with a rubber spatula. Keep a nice round shape as you pour as this will ensure the candy is pressed in an even circle. Quickly and lightly press down with hotteok press until the candy is about 3 1/2 inches in diameter, 3 to 5 seconds. As the candy begins to harden, gently lift the hotteok press and immediately stamp with a cookie cutter, making sure not to press all the way through, 5 to 10 seconds. Remove the cookie cutter and let the ppopgi cool until hardened, 2 to 3 minutes. If making more ppopgi, rinse the tools in hot water and dry completely before making the next batch.

Steps:

• Combine 4 tablespoons of the butter, the shallots, garlic, bacon and salt in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Saute until the shallots are translucent and the bacon is crispy, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the flour and mix well to make a roux. Cook, stirring frequently, until the roux smells nutty, 4 to 5 minutes. Off the heat, deglaze the roux with the liqueur; carefully return the pan to the burner and let the liqueur flame. Add the cream and stir to incorporate. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the baby spinach, nutmeg, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using; bring back to a boil and once again immediately reduce to a simmer. Cook until the spinach has softened and released its liquid, 4 to 6 minutes. Over medium heat, cook the mixture down to a fondue-like thickness, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and reserve to the side.
• Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a small saute pan. When melted, remove from the heat and incorporate the breadcrumbs. Reserve to the side.
• Heat a grill to high heat. Preheat a broiler.
• Place the oysters on the grill and cook until the shells pop open, about 3 minutes. Remove the oysters to a cutting board and use an oyster knife to pry out the top shells, scraping the knife around the inside of each top shell to loosen the oyster. Once the top shell has been removed, discard it; then use the knife to scrape under the bottom of the oyster to separate it from the bottom shell, leaving the oyster "on the half shell."
• Spread the rock salt evenly on a baking sheet. Set the oysters, shell down, on the rock salt, pressing the shells into the salt. Spoon some of the baby spinach bacon fondue on top of each oyster; then sprinkle with the Parmesan, Gruyere and, lastly, the buttered breadcrumbs. Broil until the oysters are bubbly and the breadcrumbs toasted, 4 to 5 minutes. Serve immediately.