Homemade Gumdrops!

Who would have imagined I would one day be making gumdrops, from SCRATCH.  No way!   Let me tell you, these were so fun, so easy, and taste so good, I think this will become a new "go to" for little edible gifts in a cool little box or bag. 

In my quest to find a good recipe, because let's face it, some recipes, I just need some help with.  I found numerous recipes, with all the same ingredients.  I am convinced one took it from another who doubled it from another who tripled it from the first and so on.  I didn't care that all the recipes were basically the same, this was my maiden sailing and I just wanted to see what the outcome of this recipe was before I tried to "play" with it.  They turned out fantastic but there are a few little tips that make it MUCH easier if you take the time to do them.

I used an 8x8 square pan.  You could use a 9x9 or a 7x11 or, well, don't get bigger than that.  Either spray the CRAP outta that baby with nonstick cooking spray or line every last inch of it with parchment.  Or BOTH!  Before I poured the hot mixture in my prepared dish, I added about 1/2 cup of granulated sugar to the bottom  so it would perhaps come out easier. 

If you do those things and follow my other directions you will find how easy, and delicious these little treats are.  I also cut mine into heart shapes for Valentine's Day.  I got 21 hearts.  If you just cut them into cubes, you will obviously get many more.  Just an FYI.

You will need
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. lemon juice
3/4 cup applesauce, use sweetened or unsweetened (I used sweetened)
1 3.4 oz. pkg strawberry jello (use cherry or anything red or pink for V-Day)
1 .25 oz. pkg unflavored gelatin
1 cup granulated sugar for dusting at the end

Prepare pan as described above and set aside.  It must be prepared first. 

In a saucepan combine 1 cup granulated sugar, lemon juice, applesauce, jello and gelatin.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly and one it boils, let it boil for 1 minute. 

WARNING this is a hot sugar mixture be VERY CAREFUL!!!  Pour carefully into your prepared pan and refrigerate at least 4 hours, I left mine overnight which I think is best. 

When it is chilled, run a knife around the edges and turn out unto a cookie sheet that is covered in granulated sugar.  Use a knife or cookie cutter to cut your gumdrops into your desired shapes, dust in the sugar and lay in a flat layer to let dry.

 Let them sit overnight!!

 

ENJOY some sweets, for your sweet!

Christmas Popcorn Crunch

We are closer!  I am almost done, with EVERYTHING!!  Almost!

I wanted to share a fun popcorn recipe because, candy covered popcorn is one of my favorites and I have never tried making it at home.  I tried it, it is a dream, and frankly, I have no intention of sharing my stash.  You are going to have to make your own!

You may notice the recipe calls for M&M's and sprinkles, however, oddly, you can't see any in the photo.  Every. Single. Photo was the same.  I can't believe I didn't realize they all fell to the bottom but I don't think they did!  I don't know what happened!  Food blogger photo failure!  Just trust me!!

This is easy, and you will love it.  It is festive and a nice snack to just keep in a bowl to nibble on!  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did and make sure to make a little extra popcorn, you may prefer it with more!!

You will need:
16-18 cups of popcorn  (I used regular old fashioned popcorn)

To do it the old fashioned way, in case you are to young to remember!!  Add 3 tbsp. oil (veg, peanut, or canola) into a LARGE pot with a lid.  Add in 3/4 cup of popcorn, put the lid on and wait for the first pop.  Using hot pads or oven mitts, keep one hand on the lid and gently move the pot around until the pop slows to almost a stop.  Turn off the burner and move the pot off the stove and let sit 5 minutes.  In this case, until cool. 

If you are using microwave popcorn I am guessing you would need a good 6 bags.  But try it the old fashioned way, come on, just do it!

For the rest of the recipe you will need:
2 boxes of red jello, your choice of flavor (sm. 3-3.4 oz. size)
1/2 cup butter
6 T light corn syrup
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
red food coloring
1/2 cup assorted Christmas sprinkles
1/2-1 cup M&Ms
1/4 cup melted white chocolate (I tinted mine red) optional!

After you have placed 16 cups of popcorn into a large bowl, make sure to line a large cookie sheet (or 2) with parchment paper and set aside.  Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F.

Now, melt the butter and syrup in a saucepan over pretty low heat.  When the butter is melted add sugar and gelatin (jello) and bring to a boil over medium heat. At this point add in a bit of red food coloring, I don't like faded colors!  You can choose to leave it out, but bright colors ROCK!  Reduce your heat and let simmer about 4-5 minutes, stirring almost constantly.

Now CAREFULLY pour the syrup over the bowl of popcorn.  Stir like a fool, while the syrup is still hot, get the popcorn covered. If you feel you need more popcorn, add it now and stir.  It is just to your personal preference. 

Now pour your popcorn out unto your lined cookie sheet(s) and smooth into an even layer like this.

Bake for 10 minutes, HOWEVER, after 5 minutes, remove pans and give it a careful toss, replace into the oven and bake another 5 minutes.

When it is done, remove, and sprinkle on 1/2 cup assorted Christmas sprinkles, and 1/2 cup (or more) of Christmas M&Ms. Now is the time to drizzle over any white chocolate if you choose!!  I colored mine red!  Let cool completely, break it up into pieces and enjoy!!  Keep covered in an airtight container to keep fresh and crunchy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS!

Marshjellow Pinwheels

So I asked you all on FB when jello was a side and when it is dessert.  I tell ya, I just don't know.  You all probably know by now my disdain for the texture of jello.  But, this has possibly changed me.  Possibly.

 

It was funny to hear your stories of jello.  Because I mean seriously, who knew the world felt so strongly one way or another about it.  My mom and her shredded cabbage and carrots IN jello, ACK.  I sadly know she is not alone, many of you posted memories of that particular dish.  If you can call it that!  I always would eat my jello plain, nothing in it and I always wanted whipped cream on it.  I guess that makes it certifiably, "dessert".  I found this recipe and had to give it a try because generally, things like this don't turn out nicely for me.  As you can see it did, and it was SO unbelievably easy.  I would serve this for a meal with some whipped cream because I actually enjoyed this!  You can use any flavor of jello you want but might I strongly suggest apricot, like I used?  So delicious!

You will need:

1- 3 oz. box of Jello (flavor is your choice)
1/2 cup water
1 cup mini marshmallows

In a glass 8x8 dish, spray lightly with cooking spray and then use a paper towel to spread it around and thin it out.  Set aside.

In a bowl add in jello powder and 1/2 water.  Microwave for 30 seconds and then whisk.  Make sure all jello powder is dissolved.  Micro another 20 seconds if you need to, but you should be OK with 30.  Now add in your marshmallows and stir them around until they are coated.  Microwave another 30 seconds.  Stir marshmallows (or whisk) until they are all combined.  If they aren't all melted microwave in 20 second increments to get them all melted and combined with the jello.  Pour mixture into your greased dish and refrigerate at least 1 hour.  You will see the marshmallows in an act of extreme magic, separate from the jello to form 2 layers.  When your mixture is set, run a knife around the perimeter and picking up one small corner and working your way across, start rolling the jello.  You an easily lift it out and place on a serving tray.  I cut these with a thread, get it underneath the roll and cross your threads and pull to cut.  You could also use a very sharp knife.

These are fun and could be made to fit color themes or holidays! 

 

Your "getting friendly with jello" Chefwannabe

Halloween Jello WORM Shots

I have an aversion to jello.  I don't know why.  Oh wait, yes I do, it is the texture.  That slimy, wiggly, jiggly, gelatinous goo, kind of consistency.  There is something jello reminds me of, especially grape or red or any variance of the two, but I am going to spare you the mental image.  You are welcome.  However, I have this inner battle when it comes to jello shots.  I mean HELLO, isn't it obvious? 

 

I also have an aversion to worms.  Slimy, nasty, dirty, wiggly, bleh.  I have "chicken skin" just thinking about them.  Oh, that is what I call "goosebumps"   As a matter of fact, I got out of the shower this morning, then took the dogs out, and stepped on one, enough to feel it wiggle between my toes, I screamed, called the dogs in, and re showered.  I can STILL feel that wiggling between my toes.  And the smell of worms.  GAH!  This is from a self admitted "indoor girl". 

The first jello shots I ever had, were amazing.  Since then I have experimented with so many combinations of flavors.  Things like rum with lime jello, strawberry jello and whipped vodka, the possibilities are endless.  Let's face it, who doesn't love a jello shot?  Who doesn't double take at the thought of partaking, especially when they look like real, slimy, jiggly worms?!?! 

1 small package jello any flavor (use whatever color you like) I used Cherry
2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin (usually 4 come to a box)
Food coloring to intensify or grossify the color of jello you are using
1 cup vodka (omit this if making non alcoholic) I used Cake Vodka
1 cup boiling water (2 cups if omitting the vodka)
2 tbsp heavy cream or half and half (optional bit it gives a more real look)
bendy straws, yes they need to be bendy, so sayeth ME! (I got 25 out of this, but could have probably gotten a bit more.)
1 tsp flavoring to match your jello.  (I find the flavor weakens when adding all the unflavored gelatin, but this is not required)

Prepare your straws by pulling all of the bendy parts out.  You want them to mark the jello so it looks segmented like a real worm.   Rubber band them together and with the bendy part closest to the bottom, place in a glass or tall container as small around as possible to make your straws fit as snug as possible.  Set aside.  In a large glass measuring cup or medium bowl, combine boiling water and jello, mix until the jello is completely dissolved.  Add in alcohol, food coloring, flavoring, and mix.   Pour mixture over the straws until there is about 1 inch in the bottom of the glass.  Freeze for 20-30 minutes until set.  This will prevent all of the jello in its liquid form from running out the straws and just filling the glass when you add it all.  Make sure your gelatin has cooled, if it is hot, it will melt the "seal" you have made on the bottom!!  Now pour the rest of the jello over the straws and refrigerate at least 4 hours to set.  When you go to remove the "worms" just run the straw under warm water for about 2-3 seconds.  Dry it off with a towel and pinch the end and push the worm out!  Wa-laaa!  GROSS!!


 If you end up with someone else's costume, or are hurling vodka worms, don't blame me.  Take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning.

Your "go eat WORMS" Chefwannabe

PS.  This would be a fun project with kids in general.  OMITTING the alcohol obviously.  Worms aren't just for Halloween!

Cottage Cheese Jello Salad

Ahhh, the oldies but goodies.  I can't believe I haven't shared this with you.  Well, I kind of do know why.....

My mom has made this salad as long as I can remember.  I mean like, WAY back in the day.  As a mother of 10, she made what was quick, cheap and convenient.  Many times that included various salads.  Some of them, I can't believe she put in front of us.  One in particular, was this heinous jello that had grated carrots and cabbage in it and some mayo concoction on the top.  OMG.  Tell me nobody else was subjected to this salad?!?  I am just not much of a salad girl in general.  A salad, to me, involves leafy greens, tons of veggies, some protein and well, you get my point.  I have a couple of sisters who are the queens of "the salad".  I believe there isn't a single salad they haven't tried making.  You know those "salad luncheons" they used to have or maybe sometimes still do?? Yeah, that is my worst nightmare. 

Anyway, this salad does use Cool Whip.  I KNOW what is in it.  I know some of you refuse to use it.  That is fine, use heavy cream and sweeten it up and whip it up and you are good.  I, however, am sharing this recipe just as my mom always made it.  The good, the bad and the ugly!  But how can you even argue with 4 ingredients?  Convenient?  Definitely

Feel free to change your jello flavor however you want.  I remember her using mandarin oranges in this as well, instead of pineapple sometimes and sometimes she would leave the fruit part out all together.  This will seem loose when you mix it together but it will firm up in the fridge.  Just FYI.

You will need:
24 oz container of SMALL CURD cottage cheese
8 oz of cool whip (or use 1 cup of whipping cream and 1 tbsp. of powdered sugar and whip it up)
3 oz box of strawberry jello
20 oz can of crushed pineapple, drained.  (save that juice!)

Combine all ingredients in a medium size bowl.  Umm, that is all.  Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. 

This is a perfect summer salad.  If you are into that sort of thing and even though I loathe cottage cheese, I kind of am "in" to this one!

Your "can I get the number for salads anon for my sisters" Chefwannabe

Orange Sparkle

Can someone please tell me where the switch is for turning off the humidity?  I mean seriously, this is NOT funny anymore, sweating profusely within 30 seconds of stepping outside is not fun, it is not cool and it is DEFINITELY not pretty.  I mean, let me keep it real here, I am not much of an "outdoor" girl anyway.  Give me the beach, give me a beautiful yard and lots of flowers, but don't expect me to get dirt under my fingernails, or get to messy.  Know what I mean?  That makes me sound like quite the princess diva, which I'm not, and I do enjoy outside things as long as they are leisurely and don't involve or POSSIBLY involve, bugs, snakes, frogs, bugs, or snakes.  Clear?

Anyway nothing says "summer meals" like nice cold salads and desserts.   My husband loves it and wanted to share it with you. 

I am not sure if you call this dessert, or eat it with your meal, you know that whole battle of the jello thing.  Do what you do.  This is so easy, and so delicious.  You can serve it out of one bowl or do as I did and divide it into 4 large servings.  You could easily get 6 individual servings. 

1 (3oz) pkg orange jello
1 cup boiling water
2 cups orange sherbet
1 (11oz) can of mandarin oranges
2 cups miniature marshmallows

In a bowl, stir together jello and boiling water until jello is dissolved.  Add in sherbet and stir or whisk until dissolved.  Chill this mixture until almost firm, and then fold in oranges and marshmallows.  You can fill up individual servings or place in a large casserole type dish.  Chill at LEAST 3 hours. 

This is light and delicious and sure to be enjoyed by all, no matter how you serve it!!

Your "loves all things that sparkle" Chefwannabe

Broken Glass Jello

Hello friends!  Hoping this finds you having a wonderful day and getting ready to enjoy your evening, doing what it is you do to relax!  Reading this blog maybe? :))

The topic tonight, is jello.  If you have been reading or following me on FB awhile you know how I feel about jello.  It is not my favorite and by that, I don't mean taste, I mean texture.  I won't get into my comparisons here but, it takes me a good bit of "talking myself through" to eat jello!  However, I was watching one of my favorite YouTube channels, and could not resist sharing this with you.  Check out the video here, Yoyomax12-Rainbow Broken Glass Jello.  I adore this channel, Tammy makes the most FUN stuff ever!  Check her out!

Like I said, since I also enjoy "fun" food, I had to share this with you all.  So I went and bought my 6 colors of jello, and while I was doing it found some awesome flavors.  Great alternatives for the old regulars, of lemon, orange, strawberry, etc.  I think I used Island Pineapple, Raspberry, and Peach instead.  Just a few examples, but when you don't eat jello on the regular, it is amazing all the cool new (to me) flavors they have!!  Just get your 6, all colors of the rainbow!  I used Blue....somethingberry and grape, lime, and those above.  Fun stuff!

Now where I grew up, jello is part of a meal.  Just as you have meat, potatoes, veggies, etc, you also have jello.  When I moved to the east coast, I would see "jello" listed as a dessert.  I was like, "whaaaaa"?  My husband (boyfriend at the time) informed me, it WAS dessert.  I checked him, before I wrecked him, "Um, NO, jello is part of dinner, not dessert, dinner".  Well, needless to say, different strokes for different folks.  I had made a jello salad for a family meal as an experiment, and I put it on the table during dinner, so I could sit back and observe.  Sure enough, nobody touched it...UNTIL I had cleared dinner from the table.  Strange. 

Anyway, this is a alot of gelatinous fun in one pan.  Jiggle it, wiggle it, or slurp it down.  Just enjoy it!

You will need:
6 colors of jello (I used blue, red, purple, green, orange, yellow)
1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
2 packets unflavored gelatin

Use 6 bowls, of about the same size.  I used square Rubbermaid bowls.  You need one bowl for each color.  Put one box of jello per bowl.  Now, add 1 cup boiling water to each bowl, one at a time, mix thoroughly until the jello is dissolved.  Remember just ONE cup, do not follow the pkg instructions, as it will call for 2 cups of water. When you have mix them all put into the refrigerator to set.  This will take a bit, so be patient. 

When the jello is set, cut it into cubes, in the bowl or you can flop it out and cut into cubes.  Do this with all of them and then put into a 9x13 pan.  Just mix up the colors so there is a little bit of everything, everywhere. Just try to make it sort of evenly distributed.  

Now, in a medium size bowl or large (4 cup) measuring cup add in both packets of unflavored gelatin, 2 cups of boiling water and sweetened condensed milk.  Mix until gelatin is dissolved and condensed milk is combine with the water and.....STOP!!!  Here is where I went a little wrong and got some blurring of colors so to speak in mine.  LET IT COOL a few minutes before pouring over the jello cubes.  Pour over and put into the fridge to set. 

There you have it.  As I was just starting to pour the condensed milk mixture over my jello cubes in my head I was thinking, "self, this is gonna melt the jello and the colors are going to run everywhere".  What I didn't tell myself was to STOP POURING.  My husband said, "Chris, it shows in BIG WHITE LETTERS right on the video to let it cool".  Sorry Tammy.  Missed that boat for sure.  It won't affect your flavor or texture or anything, just the "pretty" factor.  I still think it is pretty and it is really good! 

On that note, I hope you enjoy this fun dish/dessert, whatever you do with it!!

Your "wonders if my butt wiggles like jello when I walk" Chefwannabe

PS.  This is SO incredibly budget friendly and you can use colors that coinside with each holiday, you don't have to always use 6 different colors.  Maybe for St. Patty's Day you would want to use all green, etc...

Jello Christmas Cookies, A Blast From My Past

Ok, how many of you were in 4-H?  I loved 4-H.  I loved the cooking part of it especially.  There were a handful of recipes I wanted to make all the time, and one of them was Jello Cookies.  This cookies were so easy, and you could change them up so many ways.  Of course I loved feeling grown up cooking or baking by myself, and having everyone love it.  These cookies are really great and let's keep it real here.....who is sick of getting cookies trays with all brown cookies on them??  These are a simple, tasty cookie that will brighten up your trays wonderfully.  
 

As I was baking these cookies, I was thinking of a ton of different things you could do with them.  Let me give you my ideas first so that you can make changes if you wish.  This are so easy and fail proof.  Just make sure not to over bake them, 8 minutes is IT.  Otherwise they will lose their color and get a brown tinge.  

1.  Use any flavor jello you like, I used cherry for the red color, making them Christmas-ee, but could use lime or another green jello flavor.

2.  Replace vanilla extract with an extract that is the same flavor as your jello.  Cherry jello=cherry extract.

3.  I sprinkled mine with red sugar for effect.  But you could top the cherry cookies I made with a maraschino cherry the last minute or 2 of baking.

4.  You COULD intensify the color with food coloring matching your jello color as well.  These are not colored with food coloring and I think they still turned out fairly vibrant.  

Ok so maybe that wasn't an official "ton" of change ups but each involves change ups galore!  

Jello Christmas (or any other day) Cookies!
1 1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup sugar
1 3oz. pkg Jello of choice
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla (or flavoring of your choice)
1 tsp baking powder
3 1/2 cups flour
Red sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Cream together butter and sugar.  Add all the rest of the ingredients except flour.  When thoroughly combined, add flour a little at a time.  Use cookie scoop and scoop cookies 2 inches apart, sprinkle the top with a little red sugar if you desire.  Use silicone mat or parchment paper (or cooking spray). Bake 8 minutes.  ONLY 8 minutes.  If you bake longer, your cookies will get hard, and have a brown look to them which you do not want.  

Make these cookies tonight!  They are fast, simple, and tasty!  Merry Christmas my dear friends, I pray for the best for you all always!

Your "the world needs brighter cookies" chefwannabe

Chris