I thought I’d try something different today. In my novel, Reckless Rescue, Marlee has to cook everything from scratch. While I was writing the book, my editor noted that I had the children toasting marshmallows over the fire, and stated that they wouldn’t have marshmallows. I did end up taking that portion out (but more because I realised there wouldn’t be that many children in the scene), but the reality is, marshmallows are very easy to make.
So today I thought I’d share the recipe I use to make marshmallows. These don’t taste quite like the store bought ones, but they are super delicious, and lots of fun to make.
Ingredients:
2 cups of sugar
2 tablespoons of gelatine
1 cup of boiling waterMethod:
Dissolve gelatine in boiling water, then pour over the sugar. Beat until stiff. Add flavouring if desired.
Pour into a wet mould. When set, cut into squares, and roll in icing sugar or toasted cocoanut.
Now at first glance, some of these ingredients look hard to procure, but in reality, most of them should be possible. Sugar can be obtained with little technology from sugar beets (It would have been too cold for sugar cane), and gelatine is made by boiling cartilage and bones of animals.
I wanted the settlement on Zerris to give both the idea that survival was hard, but also to show how well the villagers had managed with how little they had. And to point out that no matter how hard life can be for some people, they can still take the time to make marshmallows.
Do you have anything unusual you cook from scratch? Any great recipes to share?
You might have successfully put me off marshmallows forever! 🙂 I’m kidding, I love them, but do sometimes prefer not to know what’s in my favourite food. I confess I make very little from scratch as I hate cooking. I remember reading a comment on a blog once that said you weren’t a real mother if you didn’t know how to make bread! She did retract the statement but I did make a point of learning how to make a loaf. 🙂
Not a real mother if you can’t make bread? What on earth does making bread have to do with being a mother?
I don’t like cooking much, but baking is fun. Sweet stuff is way more fun than savoury.
She said she was from the deep south of America, so maybe that’s part of their culture? No idea.
I like sweet stuff, but I have a weakness for eating everything we’ve baked! Especially scones or blueberry muffins. I make nice pancakes on a Sunday, too.
Sounds like you do a fair bit of cooking! Pancakes are yum!
I love marshmallows. That recipe is brilliant.
Thanks Nana. I love it because it’s so simple, and has only a couple of ingredients.