It’s been a really hot summer; I don’t know about you but I am feeling the need to cool off!
Today’s diary looks at Jell-O. I grew up in a culture where Jell-O itself wasn’t well-known but many other Asian gelatin-like ingredients were (for example agar agar), and it was always fascinating to see desserts, custards and puddings made with it.
I did not know that Jello Salad was a thing until about 10 years ago, when I first heard of it. At first I was rather shocked since salads were supposed to be healthy and green and light, not jelly-like. I still haven’t entirely gotten over my initial reaction but I’m willing to accept that some people like them because they’re quick and easy to make, and they were also a big thing in the 50s, 60s and early 70s.
So, to start things off, here’s a tropical Jello salad:
- Drain the tropical fruit and put it in a bowl.
- Add the whipped cream, unmade jello mix, and the cream cheese. For a smoother texture, you can slightly blend the cottage cheese.
- Refrigerate for about and hour, the mixture will solidify. Enjoy!
You can also do this with regular fruit cocktail and any flavor of sugar free jello.
Tropical Jello Salad
Something a little healthier, a carrot gelatin salad:
- In a large bowl, prepare the lemon gelatin according to package directions using reserved pineapple juice in place of some of the water. Refrigerate until thickened, about 1 hour.
- When the gelatin has thickened, stir in pineapple and shredded carrot. Cover and refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours.
To round things off, yogurt jello makes for a cool, refreshing dessert to end a meal.
- Mix the sugar-free Jello envelope with the 1 cup boiling water until dissolved.
- Stir the jello/water mixture into the 1 cup yogurt until well mixed, being sure to do this very slowly so as not to curdle the yogurt.
- Divide into 4 half-cup servings (the little gladware containers are great for this!) and refrigerate until set, between 2 and 3 hours.
At less than 50 calories a serving, this is a refreshing and satisfying snack or dessert that I should liken to a parfait. One could make 2 1-cup servings for a very satisfying snack under 100 calories. I like using raspberry or blackberry flavoured jello, myself, but let your imagination run wild trying different flavours!
Yogurt Jello Recipe
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to find some Jell-O to cool myself off!