Kitchen

[jlkz]

The word "jello" reminded me of the last time I served it at thanksgiving: 1967, my first thanksgiving dinner I cooked for DH. He invited a single co-worker of ours over. The turkey was fine ( a whole 'nother funny story ) and the dessert was orange jello molded into a lobster! It was funny to see it on the platter, wish I had pictures. Tasted fine!!!

[Sooner]

On 8/8/2014 Kay SD said: I remember a jello salad people would bring to pot luck meals, with lime jello, crushed pineapple and small curd cottage cheese. Anyone else remember this one?

I LOVE this stuff! Do you have a recipe or is it just that? Seems like some had nuts and maybe coconut in it too. . . wish I could remember!

[Sweetbay magnolia]

Any tried and true tips for for gelatin desserts would appreciated. My husband loves the stuff.

[qualitygal]

On 8/8/2014 HonnyBrown said:

On 8/8/2014 stilltamn8r said:

fresh papaya and fresh pineapple contain Papain and Bromelain, enzymes that will "eat" and dissolve the proteins in gelatin which make them gel...They should never be used- use canned instead..

This is why papain and bromelain are used in meat tenderizers...

Great info, thank you!!!!

yes, thank you!

[qualitygal]

On 8/8/2014 Kay SD said: I remember a jello salad people would bring to pot luck meals, with lime jello, crushed pineapple and small curd cottage cheese. Anyone else remember this one?

Kay, I remember this too. This is such a nice, cool and sweet dessert. I've really enjoyed eating it again as a dessert.

[Campion]

On 8/9/2014 Sweetbay magnolia said:

Any tried and true tips for for gelatin desserts would appreciated. My husband loves the stuff.

Hey, another Jello lover. I confess to a real fondness for gelatin desserts. For me, it's a good sub for ice cream. Cool, soft and flavorful. And if I have to diet, I can use sugar-free and light cool-whip. (A trick from Weight Watchers.)

I use a Jello Cookbook that's out of print but it's a good one.

Some things my Mom taught me:

1. Stir WELL when you put in the hot water. Otherwise you get a skin on the bottom of the bowl (if you are just making jello alone.) Keep stirring until there are no particles.

2. The "ice cube" trick for fast setting is not good if you want clear, sparkling jello in molds. Be patient and make it with boiling water and then cool water.

3. If you add ginger ale (fresh can of it) instead of cold water, you can trap bubbles in the jello and they taste really good!

4. You can make a fluffy base with cottage cheese (low fat) but if you sieve it first (or use a stick blender) you will get a more creamy effect. You can also use Greek Yogurt, regular yogurt or sour cream. Or Cool-Whip. You have to refrigerate the base pretty well before pouring on the next layer. And the NEXT layer has to be at the slush stage.

5. Set a timer so you don't go past the slush stage (try a half hour.) Otherwise it goes too long and sets up.

6. You can make stained glass or "macedoine" by making clear jello then chilling in a baking pan. Save some, pour a layer into the top of the mold. Set the rest and cut it into cubes. clear jello, let it slush up, add the creamy stuff to the rest of the slush, mix in the CUBES and pour onto the set clear top. VERY pretty when you unmold it. I like strawberry or cherry for the fluffy layer and top clear layer, and blue and red jello for the cubes.

Mom used to say "I'm an ARTIST...jello is my medium."

[Allegheny]

Oh I adore the Strawberry Pretzel Salad and the Lime Jello Waldorf Salad.

[violann]

On 8/8/2014 Kay SD said: I remember a jello salad people would bring to pot luck meals, with lime jello, crushed pineapple and small curd cottage cheese. Anyone else remember this one?

OHIO!!!! EXCEPT, ours was not cottage cheese but cream cheese and walnuts and cool whip and lime jello and pineapple. DIVINE! And I have to add, we always made it in small or large fancy Tupperware molds, and it looked VERY pretty!!

[qualitygal]

On 8/9/2014 violann said:

On 8/8/2014 Kay SD said: I remember a jello salad people would bring to pot luck meals, with lime jello, crushed pineapple and small curd cottage cheese. Anyone else remember this one?

OHIO!!!! EXCEPT, ours was not cottage cheese but cream cheese and walnuts and cool whip and lime jello and pineapple. DIVINE! And I have to add, we always made it in small or large fancy Tupperware molds, and it looked VERY pretty!!

Violann, was this also called the Watergate Salad? I love the way yours tastes. I'll need to do that one again soon. It's so good. One other one around the holidays is really good too, with marshmallows and cranberry jello. Need to look that one up too. My dad loved that one when I made it.

[Sweetbay magnolia]

Campion, thank you so much for the layering of Cool Whip tip! I have been trying to emulate the store bought stuff and have not been successful. And the caution about ice cubes - heaven forbid there should be any "froth" in dear husband's jello! He will love this! And since we got into a shouting match after he banged up the rock wall with the mower (of course, I am the only one yelling, in his mind, and of course, he is half deaf so I have to yell), I can surprise him with a new favorite dessert. You are a dear!