I'm making a gift basket for a friend with high-quality cocoa mix and
some homemade graham crackers, and I had my heart set on including
some homemade marshmallows as well.

Trouble is, both I and the person the basket is for keep kosher. I
have searched and searched and searched, and I've concluded that there
is absolutely no way to make kosher marshmallows, short of getting
some actual marshmallow root, which I'm not able to do right now.
Kosher gelatin substitutes like Kojel are designed to make jello-like
desserts, and just don't set right in other applications. Vegan
websites report that agar agar and carrageen don't work either.

I'm toying with the idea of making some chewy, pavlova-like meringues
instead. Thanks to all this research, I'm not quite thinking clearly
at the moment, and I can't decide if the idea of floating meringues in
cocoa is revolutionary, or too gross to imagine. Can anyone who's
head is spinning a little less than mine please offer a 'yay' or 'nay'
to this idea, or throw out some other suggestions for a couple of poor
Jewish girls who really, really miss good marshmallows?

Thanks,
RB

Rickie Beth > wrote:
:I'm making a gift basket for a friend with high-quality cocoa mix and
:some homemade graham crackers, and I had my heart set on including
:some homemade marshmallows as well.

:Trouble is, both I and the person the basket is for keep kosher. I
:have searched and searched and searched, and I've concluded that there
:is absolutely no way to make kosher marshmallows, short of getting
:some actual marshmallow root, which I'm not able to do right now.
:Kosher gelatin substitutes like Kojel are designed to make jello-like
:desserts, and just don't set right in other applications. Vegan
:websites report that agar agar and carrageen don't work either.

Why not use kosher gelatin? It's available made from either fish or
the hides of kosher animals that were slaughtered in a kosher
slaughter house.

On Jan 11, 3:35 pm, David Scheidt > wrote:
> Rickie Beth > wrote:
>
> :I'm making a gift basket for a friend with high-quality cocoa mix and
> :some homemade graham crackers, and I had my heart set on including
> :some homemade marshmallows as well.
>
> :Trouble is, both I and the person the basket is for keep kosher. I
> :have searched and searched and searched, and I've concluded that there
> :is absolutely no way to make kosher marshmallows, short of getting
> :some actual marshmallow root, which I'm not able to do right now.
> :Kosher gelatin substitutes like Kojel are designed to make jello-like
> :desserts, and just don't set right in other applications. Vegan
> :websites report that agar agar and carrageen don't work either.
>
> Why not use kosher gelatin? It's available made from either fish or
> the hides of kosher animals that were slaughtered in a kosher
> slaughter house.

If the answer were as easy as that, trust me, I wouldn't be here
asking this question! I live in an area with a very high
concentration of orthodox Jews, yet I've been to five stores and
called at least a dozen more and none of them carry kosher gelatin,
with the exception of Kojel which as I mentioned won't work for
marshmallows, and one store that carried only cherry flavor.

I appreciate the tip, but I'm certain that I'm not going to be able to
make the marshmallows I had originally planned on. Any thoughts on
the meringue idea?

--RB

Rickie Beth wrote:

>
> If the answer were as easy as that, trust me, I wouldn't be here
> asking this question! I live in an area with a very high
> concentration of orthodox Jews, yet I've been to five stores and
> called at least a dozen more and none of them carry kosher gelatin,
> with the exception of Kojel which as I mentioned won't work for
> marshmallows, and one store that carried only cherry flavor.
>
> I appreciate the tip, but I'm certain that I'm not going to be able to
> make the marshmallows I had originally planned on. Any thoughts on
> the meringue idea?
>
> --RB


Why don't you make cherry marshmallows? Just a thought.

-Tracy

On Jan 11, 4:05 pm, Tracy > wrote:
>
> Why don't you make cherry marshmallows? Just a thought.
>
> -Tracy

Because artificial cherry flavoring tastes like cough syrup to me.

Meringues? Anyone? Bueller?

--RB

Sqwertz wrote:
> On Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:16:31 -0800 (PST), Rickie Beth wrote:
>
>> I'm making a gift basket for a friend with high-quality cocoa mix and
>> some homemade graham crackers, and I had my heart set on including
>> some homemade marshmallows as well.
>>
>> Trouble is, both I and the person the basket is for keep kosher. I
>> have searched and searched and searched, and I've concluded that there
>> is absolutely no way to make kosher marshmallows...
>
> Why not? What about the standard marshmallow recipes is not
> kosher?
>


The gelatin, unless it is certified (U).

Bob

David Scheidt wrote:
> Rickie Beth > wrote:
> :I'm making a gift basket for a friend with high-quality cocoa mix and
> :some homemade graham crackers, and I had my heart set on including
> :some homemade marshmallows as well.
>
> :Trouble is, both I and the person the basket is for keep kosher. I
> :have searched and searched and searched, and I've concluded that there
> :is absolutely no way to make kosher marshmallows, short of getting
> :some actual marshmallow root, which I'm not able to do right now.
> :Kosher gelatin substitutes like Kojel are designed to make jello-like
> :desserts, and just don't set right in other applications. Vegan
> :websites report that agar agar and carrageen don't work either.
>
> Why not use kosher gelatin? It's available made from either fish or
> the hides of kosher animals that were slaughtered in a kosher
> slaughter house.
>


I found a recipe for agar marshmallows, but the directions don't look right:

http://www.cs.indiana.edu/~connelly/marshmallows.html

Doesn't agar have to be dissolved in in *hot* (maybe even boiling)
water? Other than that, it looks doable, but because agar is a
polysaccharide instead of a protein the final texture might be
different. (so add an egg white)

Bob

>>snippage<<

> I'm toying with the idea of making some chewy, pavlova-like meringues
> instead. Thanks to all this research, I'm not quite thinking clearly
> at the moment, and I can't decide if the idea of floating meringues in
> cocoa is revolutionary, or too gross to imagine. Can anyone who's
> head is spinning a little less than mine please offer a 'yay' or 'nay'
> to this idea, or throw out some other suggestions for a couple of poor
> Jewish girls who really, really miss good marshmallows?

I can only imagine that meringues would probably dissolve too quickly in hot
cocoa. Or really in any liquid. Unless of course you leave them more moist
than I think of meringues. That is just my opinion of course, I haven't ever
tried it.

Cindi

>
> Thanks,
> RB

zxcvbob wrote:
>
> David Scheidt wrote:
>> Rickie Beth > wrote:
>> :I'm making a gift basket for a friend with high-quality cocoa mix and
>> :some homemade graham crackers, and I had my heart set on including
>> :some homemade marshmallows as well.
>>
>> :Trouble is, both I and the person the basket is for keep kosher. I
>> :have searched and searched and searched, and I've concluded that there
>> :is absolutely no way to make kosher marshmallows, short of getting
>> :some actual marshmallow root, which I'm not able to do right now.
>> :Kosher gelatin substitutes like Kojel are designed to make jello-like
>> :desserts, and just don't set right in other applications. Vegan
>> :websites report that agar agar and carrageen don't work either.
>>
>> Why not use kosher gelatin? It's available made from either fish or
>> the hides of kosher animals that were slaughtered in a kosher
>> slaughter house.
>
>
> I found a recipe for agar marshmallows, but the directions don't look
> right:
>
> http://www.cs.indiana.edu/~connelly/marshmallows.html
>
> Doesn't agar have to be dissolved in in *hot* (maybe even boiling)
> water? Other than that, it looks doable, but because agar is a
> polysaccharide instead of a protein the final texture might be
> different. (so add an egg white)
>

It's me again. :-)

Here's what the say about agar at asiafood.org:

"Preparation: Quantities should be measured carefully, depending on the
result required. Each form of agar-agar needs a different approach. If
using powder, sprinkle it over the surface of the measured water in a
saucepan, bring to the boil, and it should dissolve in a few minutes of
simmering. If using strands or sticks, soak in cold water for an hour,
drain, bring to the boil in the measured amount of water and simmer
until dissolved. Sugar, flavouring and colouring are added and it sets
as a firm jelly without refrigeration, even in tropical climates. It is
the base for the famous Almond Bean Curd, Coconut Jelly, Awayuki and
numerous other sweets throughout Asia."

Bob

Rickie Beth wrote:
>
> I'm making a gift basket for a friend with high-quality cocoa mix and
> some homemade graham crackers, and I had my heart set on including
> some homemade marshmallows as well.
>
> Trouble is, both I and the person the basket is for keep kosher. I
> have searched and searched and searched, and I've concluded that there
> is absolutely no way to make kosher marshmallows, short of getting
> some actual marshmallow root, which I'm not able to do right now.
> Kosher gelatin substitutes like Kojel are designed to make jello-like
> desserts, and just don't set right in other applications. Vegan
> websites report that agar agar and carrageen don't work either.
>
> I'm toying with the idea of making some chewy, pavlova-like meringues
> instead. Thanks to all this research, I'm not quite thinking clearly
> at the moment, and I can't decide if the idea of floating meringues in
> cocoa is revolutionary, or too gross to imagine. Can anyone who's
> head is spinning a little less than mine please offer a 'yay' or 'nay'
> to this idea, or throw out some other suggestions for a couple of poor
> Jewish girls who really, really miss good marshmallows?
>

Google is your friend try looking for kosher marshmallow recipe.

On Jan 11, 5:15 pm, Dave Smith > wrote:

> Google is your friend try looking for kosher marshmallow recipe.

For the love of God, I've been doing that for a week. As I said in my
original message, I have "searched and searched and searched" to no
avail. I've exhausted all marshmallow-related options. Trust me, if
you've thought of it or Googled it, I've thought of it and Googled it.

And, by the way, if *you* Google "kosher marshmallow recipe," you come
up with page after page after page of people asking how to make them
with zero good answers. Most of the pages refer to "Emes Kosher Jel,"
which was revealed in 2005 to not be kosher at all.

Seriously, forget I ever used the word "gelatin." Forget I ever said
the word "marshmallows." Strike those words from the record. I asked
a question about meringues.

Thank you, Cindi, for answering the actual question that I asked.
That the meringues might dissolve too quickly is certainly something
to think about.

--RB

"Rickie Beth" > wrote in message
...
> On Jan 11, 5:15 pm, Dave Smith > wrote:
>
>> Google is your friend try looking for kosher marshmallow recipe.
>
> For the love of God, I've been doing that for a week. As I said in my
> original message, I have "searched and searched and searched" to no
> avail. I've exhausted all marshmallow-related options. Trust me, if
> you've thought of it or Googled it, I've thought of it and Googled it.
>
> And, by the way, if *you* Google "kosher marshmallow recipe," you come
> up with page after page after page of people asking how to make them
> with zero good answers. Most of the pages refer to "Emes Kosher Jel,"
> which was revealed in 2005 to not be kosher at all.
>
> Seriously, forget I ever used the word "gelatin." Forget I ever said
> the word "marshmallows." Strike those words from the record. I asked
> a question about meringues.
>
> Thank you, Cindi, for answering the actual question that I asked.
> That the meringues might dissolve too quickly is certainly something
> to think about.


Make meringues and dip them in chocolate. That might make them float in the
cocoa a bit longer. That actually sounds kind of yummy.

Rickie Beth wrote:
>
> On Jan 11, 5:15 pm, Dave Smith > wrote:
>
> > Google is your friend try looking for kosher marshmallow recipe.
>
> For the love of God, I've been doing that for a week. As I said in my
> original message, I have "searched and searched and searched" to no
> avail. I've exhausted all marshmallow-related options. Trust me, if
> you've thought of it or Googled it, I've thought of it and Googled it.
>

That's odd because I used those key words and came up with a source for
Kosher gelatine.

"Sqwertz" > wrote in message
...
> On Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:25:24 -0600, zxcvbob wrote:
>
>> Sqwertz wrote:
>>
>>> Why not? What about the standard marshmallow recipes is not
>>> kosher?
>>
>> The gelatin, unless it is certified (U).
>
> Even I can find kosher gelatine in Austin.

But he said the kosher gelatin won't work in marshmallows. I have heard it
doesn't work the same way the regular kind does. I don't know. I have used
it in Applets and a few other things and haven't personally had a problem
with it.

On Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:16:31 -0800 (PST), Rickie Beth
> wrote:
> or throw out some other suggestions for a couple of poor
>Jewish girls who really, really miss good marshmallows?

Some thick whipped cream or a dollop of ice cream would be my best
substitute for marshmallows in hot cocoa.

Of course, whipped or ice cream wouldn't keep in a gift basket. For
the basket, I think I would include some of those soft peppermint
puffs to float in the hot cocoa.

Tara

On Jan 11, 6:08 pm, Dave Smith > wrote:
>
> That's odd because I used those key words and came up with a source for
> Kosher gelatine.

Well, would you be so kind as to actually share it then, instead of
just taunting me? I found plenty of sources that *looked* promising,
but they all disappointed me in the end. Most recipes mention Emes
Kosher Jel, which is what anyone searching for kosher or vegan
marshmallow recipes stumbles on first. And, yeah, that stuff was
great, it worked perfectly, just like non-kosher gelatin...because it
*was* non-kosher gelatin. There was a huge scandal about it in 2005.
I found some other company that has also recently started producing a
kosher gelatin product, but they don't seem to sell it retail -- they
only sell the finished products, like bagged marshmallows. And other
sources make you write to them for a price quote and seem to only
distribute in bulk. And then there's Kojel and other chemical gelling
products which are fine for making Jell-o but can't do marshmallows.
Maybe there is a stone I've left unturned, and I know I'm not perfect,
but trust me, I've been turning over an awful lot of stones.

--RB

On Jan 11, 3:16�pm, Rickie Beth > wrote:
> I'm making a gift basket for a friend with high-quality cocoa mix and
> some homemade graham crackers, and I had my heart set on including
> some homemade marshmallows as well.
>
> Trouble is, both I and the person the basket is for keep kosher. �I
> have searched and searched and searched, and I've concluded that there
> is absolutely no way to make kosher marshmallows, short of getting
> some actual marshmallow root, which I'm not able to do right now.
> Kosher gelatin substitutes like Kojel are designed to make jello-like
> desserts, and just don't set right in other applications. �Vegan
> websites report that agar agar and carrageen don't work either.

Nonsense... oy vey, kosher marshmallow (even kosher for Passover) and
the ingredients to make your own are readily available.

http://www.amazon.com/Joyva-Marshmal.../dp/B000MCXASA

On Jan 11, 6:48 pm, "Julie Bove" > wrote:

>
> But he

she

> said the kosher gelatin won't work in marshmallows. I have heard it
> doesn't work the same way the regular kind does. I don't know. I have used
> it in Applets and a few other things and haven't personally had a problem
> with it.

Kojel and products like it won't work for marshmallows because it's a
chemical, quick-setting product. Unlike regular gelatin, it can't be
melted and re-gelled over and over again. It gels once, very quickly,
when it's added to cold water, which is why it works well for molded
desserts like Jello, but the hot sugar syrup and all the whipping
needed for marshmallow-making prevents it from setting up properly.
You can make a nice bowl of fluff with it, but that's about it.

I thank you all for the advice, both that I asked for and that I
didn't, but I think I've settled on going ahead with the chewy
meringue idea. Dipped in chocolate, perhaps, if I have the time!

--RB

On Jan 11, 3:16�pm, Rickie Beth > wrote:
> I'm making a gift basket for a friend with high-quality cocoa mix and
> some homemade graham crackers, and I had my heart set on including
> some homemade marshmallows as well.
>
> Trouble is, both I and the person the basket is for keep kosher. �I
> have searched and searched and searched, and I've concluded that there
> is absolutely no way to make kosher marshmallows, short of getting
> some actual marshmallow root, which I'm not able to do right now.
> Kosher gelatin substitutes like Kojel are designed to make jello-like
> desserts, and just don't set right in other applications. �Vegan
> websites report that agar agar and carrageen don't work either.

http://www.foodservicedirect.com/ind...rshmallows.htm

On Jan 11, 8:55 pm, Sheldon > wrote:
>
> Nonsense... oy vey, kosher marshmallow (even kosher for Passover) and
> the ingredients to make your own are readily available.
>
> http://www.amazon.com/Joyva-Marshmal.../dp/B000MCXASA

Oh, I am quite familiar with those, Sheldon! I grew up on them, every
Passover we kept one pack in the cupboard and one pack in the freezer
-- I like them soft, my mom likes them frozen. And I know that you
can *buy* kosher marshmallows, but...they're not very good. They're
hard, and kind of gummy, and regardless, I don't give pre-prepared
food as gifts.

I'll tell you what, if you can find me a legitimate, honest-to-God
source for real Kosher gelatin -- not Kojel or Liebers -- that I can
buy in an actual store, then I will mail you a tray of marshmallows.
If it's so readily available, show me. I swear I'll do it.

--RB

On Jan 11, 9:07�pm, Rickie Beth > wrote:
> On Jan 11, 8:55 pm, Sheldon > wrote:
>
>
>
> > Nonsense... oy vey, kosher marshmallow (even kosher for Passover) and
> > the ingredients to make your own are readily available.
>
> >http://www.amazon.com/Joyva-Marshmal.../dp/B000MCXASA
>
> Oh, I am quite familiar with those, Sheldon! �I grew up on them, every
> Passover we kept one pack in the cupboard and one pack in the freezer
> -- I like them soft, my mom likes them frozen. �And I know that you
> can *buy* kosher marshmallows, but...they're not very good. �They're
> hard, and kind of gummy, and regardless, I don't give pre-prepared
> food as gifts.
>
> I'll tell you what, if you can find me a legitimate, honest-to-God
> source for real Kosher gelatin -- not Kojel or Liebers -- that I can
> buy in an actual store, then I will mail you a tray of marshmallows.
> If it's so readily available, show me. �I swear I'll do it.
>
> --RB

http://www.kashrut.com/trade/gelatin/

On Jan 11, 2:16 pm, Rickie Beth > wrote:
>
>
> I'm toying with the idea of making some chewy, pavlova-like meringues
> instead. Thanks to all this research, I'm not quite thinking clearly
> at the moment, and I can't decide if the idea of floating meringues in
> cocoa is revolutionary, or too gross to imagine.

Heck, try it yourself. I can't imagine it being "too gross to
imagine." At worst, it will be aesthetically unappealing.

> Can anyone who's
> head is spinning a little less than mine please offer a 'yay' or 'nay'
> to this idea, or throw out some other suggestions for a couple of poor
> Jewish girls who really, really miss good marshmallows?

Aren't jars of marshmallow fluff pareve? My first serious GF was
Jewish, albeit Reform, and she's the one who turned me on to fluff.
That's what I put onto my son's hot cocoa, or am I clueless about some
aspect of Jewish dietary traditions?
>
> Thanks,
> RB

--Bryan

On Jan 11, 9:19 pm, Sheldon > wrote:

> > I'll tell you what, if you can find me a legitimate, honest-to-God
> > source for real Kosher gelatin -- not Kojel or Liebers -- that I can
> > buy in an actual store, then I will mail you a tray of marshmallows.
> > If it's so readily available, show me. �I swear I'll do it.
>
> > --RB
>
> http://www.kashrut.com/trade/gelatin/

Been there. No leads. Show me a brand, show me a product that sits
on a shelf. I said from the beginning I was done with the marshmallow
idea because I've *been* through all that information, so if you're
really going to play this game then you're going to have to show me
something I haven't already seen.

--RB

On Jan 11, 9:23 pm, "Bobo Bonobo®" > wrote:
>
> Aren't jars of marshmallow fluff pareve? My first serious GF was
> Jewish, albeit Reform, and she's the one who turned me on to fluff.
> That's what I put onto my son's hot cocoa, or am I clueless about some
> aspect of Jewish dietary traditions?
>

Not clueless at all, fluff is parve. Fluff doesn't contain any
gelling agents, gelatin or otherwise, which is why it's so soft and,
well, fluffy. It just can't be cut into billowy white squares and
tied up in a bag with pretty polka-dotted ribbons. Pretty polka-
dotted ribbons are important to girls!

I will be going ahead with the meringues, with some cream of tartar
and cornstarch added so they stay soft inside. How bad can it be,
right?

--RB

Rickie Beth > wrote:
:On Jan 11, 9:19 pm, Sheldon > wrote:

:> > I'll tell you what, if you can find me a legitimate, honest-to-God
:> > source for real Kosher gelatin -- not Kojel or Liebers -- that I can
:> > buy in an actual store, then I will mail you a tray of marshmallows.
:> > If it's so readily available, show me. ?I swear I'll do it.
:>
:> > --RB
:>
:> http://www.kashrut.com/trade/gelatin/

:Been there. No leads. Show me a brand, show me a product that sits
n a shelf. I said from the beginning I was done with the marshmallow
:idea because I've *been* through all that information, so if you're
:really going to play this game then you're going to have to show me
:something I haven't already seen.

Kolatin, from Glatech. they're in Lakewood, NJ. Call 'em up and ask
where you can buy it.

Rickie Beth wrote:

> For the love of God, <snip>

You should really use a dash between the G and d. Really Kosher girls
would. :-)
--
Janet Wilder
Bad spelling. Bad punctuation
Good Friends. Good Life

zxcvbob wrote:
>
> David Scheidt wrote:
>> Rickie Beth > wrote:
>> :I'm making a gift basket for a friend with high-quality cocoa mix and
>> :some homemade graham crackers, and I had my heart set on including
>> :some homemade marshmallows as well.
>>
>> :Trouble is, both I and the person the basket is for keep kosher. I
>> :have searched and searched and searched, and I've concluded that there
>> :is absolutely no way to make kosher marshmallows, short of getting
>> :some actual marshmallow root, which I'm not able to do right now.
>> :Kosher gelatin substitutes like Kojel are designed to make jello-like
>> :desserts, and just don't set right in other applications. Vegan
>> :websites report that agar agar and carrageen don't work either.
>>
>> Why not use kosher gelatin? It's available made from either fish or
>> the hides of kosher animals that were slaughtered in a kosher
>> slaughter house.
>
>
> I found a recipe for agar marshmallows, but the directions don't look
> right:
>
> http://www.cs.indiana.edu/~connelly/marshmallows.html
>
> Doesn't agar have to be dissolved in in *hot* (maybe even boiling)
> water? Other than that, it looks doable, but because agar is a
> polysaccharide instead of a protein the final texture might be
> different. (so add an egg white)
>

IIRC, the kosher marshmallows I had as a child were made with egg white
and agar-agar.

Here's a site where they sell Kosher marshmallows.
http://www.goldenfluff.com/marsh.htm

If you have to order a case, maybe you can give the rest away.

--
Janet Wilder
Bad spelling. Bad punctuation
Good Friends. Good Life