Jello has been the wiggly dessert favorite of children for years but this little cultural icon has an interesting history. It has gone through many changes including who eats it, how it became popular, and how it has found its way into so many recipes. It has gone from the aristocrats’ table to that of the common man.
First, let’s clear something up. It is jello, but Jell-o brand is the one we all know. What ever brand you use it is the same thing, colloidal proteins. It might be best if you don’t know where they come from but it is not a vegetarian item. The whole process of making jello involves adding boiling water to the powered (and flavored) colloidal proteins, breaking them down. As it cools, the proteins reset forming jello.
In the mid 1800’s, it came impure in blocks and required a good deal of work to make. Then an ingenious American came a long and patented a purified, powered form. It took off like a lead zeppelin until it was purchased by the soon to be called Jell-O Company. They market it by using door-to-door salesmen armed with cook books extolling its wonders and it became a hit. Over the years flavors have come and gone, some for very good reason. Lime will always be around but bubble gum flavor didn’t make the cut. Kids might love cherry Jell-o but maple syrup flavor should have stayed in R & D.
Now Jell-o and Jell-o pudding have worked their way into countless recipes. Many are picnic classics or family traditions. Below is a nice, refreshing summer recipe.
Orange Summer Salad
1 package orange Jell-o
1 (16 oz) carton of cottage cheese
1 (8 oz) carton whipped topping
1 can mandarin oranges
Mix dry Jell-o with cottage cheese. Fold in drained oranges and topping, chill
The jell-o pudding mixes can be used in many way as well. On its own it can be used as a pie filling or mix with a whipped topping to make it lighter and let the pie stand taller. The addition of whipped topping also adds stiffness to the filling allowing the suspension extra ingredients such as shaved chocolate. In 1975, Kraft introduced a recipe called Pistachio Pineapple Delight. Because it was commonly referred to it by another name that company soon adopted it. It is now known as Watergate Salad. It is said to have gotten that name because it was “filled with fruits, marshmallows, and nuts.”
Watergate Salad
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Pistachio Flavor Instant Pudding
1 can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple, in juice, undrained
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1-1/2 cups thawed whipped topping
Now comes the really hard part. Mix everything together, folding in the whipped topping last. Chill.
