July 4, 2014

Patriotic Broken Glass Jell-O

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Patriotic Broken Glass Jell-O

Patriotic Broken Glass Jell-O

July 4: American Independence Day/July 12: Eat Your Jell-O Day

Happy birthday, U.S.A.! At the backyard barbecues and summer socials we attend on this American holiday, people share potluck side dishes and desserts at the host’s home. We usually contribute a flag cake but sometimes it is too filling and heavy. So we bring “Broken Glass Jell-O” in patriotic colors (red, white and blue) instead because it is lite and cool. The recipe is easy and versatile—change the colors of the Jell-O to reflect the holiday (orange and lemon yellow for fall; strawberry or cherry red and lime for Christmas; etc.). Nosh on this nostalgic dessert on July 4 (American Independence Day) and also on July 12 (Eat Your Jell-O Day)!!!

Recipe

(From Phyllis S.)

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces (1 large box or 2 small boxes) blue Jell-O (blueberry)
  • 6 ounces (1 large box or 2 small boxes) red Jell-O (strawberry, cherry or raspberry)
  • water
  • 2 packets unflavored gelatin
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

Directions

In a bowl, dissolve the blue Jell-O in 1 cup of boiling water. Stir well. In another bowl, dissolve the red Jell-O in 1 cup of boiling water. Stir well. Pour each into two 8-inch square pans. Cool to set in the refrigerator.

Patriotic Broken Glass Jell-O

In a bowl, dissolve the unflavored gelatin in 2 cups boiling water. Stir well. Cool slightly then mix in the condensed milk. Then cool completely at room temperature (do not refrigerate yet).

Patriotic Broken Glass Jell-O

Cut the blue and red Jell-O into small squares. Place in a lightly greased 9×13-inch pan. Pour the cooled milk mixture over the Jell-O squares. Refrigerate until firm. Slice into 24 blocks. Arrange on a platter and serve chilled.

Patriotic Broken Glass Jell-O

Notes

  • Thanks to Phyllis S. for sharing the recipe with us and gifting us with a Jell-O cookbook, “The Magic of Jell-O,” which has additional recipes for Jell-O desserts.
  • Search our blog for other patriotic and Jell-O recipes.
 

July 1, 2014

Chranachan

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Chranachan

Chranachan

July: National Berry Month

July is National Berry Month—an appropriate time to have raspberries in a recipe from Highlander’s heritage—chranachan. Similar to an English trifle because of the layered look, chranachan is a summery Scottish dessert that uses raspberries. Other ingredients include heather honey, Scotch whisky, oats and whipped cream. Serve up something simple and sweet to beat the summer heat—cool off with a cup of chranachan!

Recipe

(Adapted from BBC Food Recipes)

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup oats (preferably steel cut/pinhead)
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1-2 tablespoons Scotch whisky
  • 3 tablespoons honey (heather or organic)
  • 2 cups fresh raspberries

Directions

In a small pan, toast the oats by mixing over medium-high heat, being careful not to burn them. Set aside and cool. In a large mixing bowl, whip the cream to soft peaks.

Chranachan

Fold in the whisky, honey, toasted oats and raspberries. Scoop into dessert glasses. Garnish with extra toasted oats and a few raspberries (optional). Serve chilled.

Chranachan

Notes

  • Chranachan is derived from Scottish Gaelic: Crannachan.
  • Traditionally, chranachan ingredients (whipped cream mixed with whisky and honey, toasted oats and fresh raspberries) are placed in individual dishes and laid out on the table buffet style so diners can layer their own dessert into their dishes according to their tastes.
  • Any good quality “runny honey” (not crystalized) may be used for this recipe.
  • Toasted oats add texture while raspberries add tartness to this dish.
  • Variations of this recipe include soaking the toasted oats in whisky overnight then mixing it into the whipped cream and pureeing or mashing the raspberries instead of adding the whole fruit.
  • Islander especially loves iced chranachan made with lactose-free vanilla ice cream as a substitute for the whipped cream.
 

July 1, 2014

Nanaimo Bars

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Nanaimo Bars

Nanaimo Bars

July 1: Canada Day

Highlander was happy when a fellow Canadian, Joseph N., from Manitoba, came to live on the college campus of Islander’s brother where he ministers and teaches in South Texas. Joseph got homesick at times, so we would make him the “dainty dessert” known as Nanaimo bars to cheer him up.

Nanaimo is a city in Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Although we have visited Highlander’s aunt on B.C.’s west end in Port Hardy and missed a stop in Nanaimo when we were on the island, we actually got to taste our first bar back in Nova Scotia on another trip to Highlander’s country of birth!

The origins of the recipe are unknown, but the beloved bar is so popular in Canada that, in 1985, Nanaimo Mayor Graeme Roberts held a contest to find the definitive recipe. Various versions were submitted, but Joyce Hardcastle’s recipe won!

Nosh on a Nanaimo bar now! Happy Canada Day to our relatives and neighbors from the north.

Recipe

(By Joyce Hardcastle)

For the base

  • ½ cup butter, European-style cultured, unsalted
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 5 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs
  • ½ cup finely chopped almonds
  • 1 cup coconut, flaked

Directions

In a double boiler over the stovetop, melt the butter, sugar and cocoa powder. Stir in the beaten egg and cook to thicken. Remove from the stovetop.

Nanaimo Bars

Mix in the graham cracker crumbs, almonds and coconut flakes. Press onto the bottom of an ungreased 8×8-inch pan.

Nanaimo Bars

For the filling

  • ½ cup butter, unsalted, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla custard powder (see Notes for substitution)

Directions

In a bowl, beat the butter with the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla custard powder until light. Spread over the bottom layer.

Nanaimo Bars

For the topping

  • 4 ounces/squares semi-sweet chocolate
  • 2 tablespoon butter, unsalted

Directions

In a bowl, melt the chocolate with the butter. Let the mixture cool but remain slightly liquid. Pour over the filling and spread to cover. Refrigerate to set. Cut into squares with a sharp knife.

Nanaimo Bars

Notes

 

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