Ted, my son, who is 8 now, has been asking me to make jelly with him for ages. Every time we go to the local farm shop he will gravitate to the shelf where they keep the jelly that’s stuffed full of sugar. For his health I try to keep his sugar levels to a minimum. So I thought about how I could make the jelly healthy.
A couple of weeks ago I was practising my Dad’s sherry trifle and again I wanted to make this a slightly healthier version. (For those of you that don’t know, jelly is one of the main ingredients in trifle and that recipe will be coming soon.) So I thought, how I could make a healthier jelly? Suddenly I started to think leaf gelatine and using apple juice to sweeten the jelly.
When I made the jelly for the trifle, I poured a small amount in a bowl and Ted had this instead of the trifle. I knew he wouldn’t eat the trifle, but he would eat the jelly. It was a huge hit. In the next few days, we went shopping and I bought more leaf gelatine and one of his favourite drinks, apple and elderflower juice. We made the jelly with this juice and it was a huge hit. Ted loved it and I was so pleased I don’t have to feed him the sugary stuff in the supermarket. Plus, it’s so easy to do and the ingredients can be found in most supermarkets. Below is a video and recipe for you.
Makes 4 Apple and Elderflower Jellies
Equipment needed
- Measuring jug
- Large saucepan
- Stirring spoon
- Small bowls with lids or tupperware boxes
Ingredients
- Apple and Elderflower juice x 570mls or as per the packet instructions on the gelatine box
- Leaf Gelatine x 4 or as per the packet instructions
Method
- Measure the apple and elderflower juice into the jug.
- Pour the juice into the saucepan.
- Put 4 gelatine leaves into the saucepan.
- Soak the leaves for five minutes or per the packet instructions.
- Place the saucepan on a low heat and melt slowly.
- Do not let the mixture boil.
- Once all the gelatine has melted pour the liquid into the small bowls or tupperware boxes.
- Finally put these into the fridge for at least 6 hours or preferably overnight.
- When the jelly is set, serve and enjoy.
Apple and Elderflower Jelly was a big success in this house. Ted really enjoyed eating these jellies. Leaf gelatine can be found in the baking section of most supermarkets and the juice we used was fresh apple and elderflower from the refrigerated section. These will last in the fridge so they can be made in advance of a meal. Also, I have discovered that they are a great transportable snack too, so could be made as part of a lunch box. However you decide to eat these jellies, as always, enjoy.
Googies Kitchen Life 