I've been trying to figure out how to make a substitute for jello.

[Bethanie]

I have loads of fruit and use to love jello, it took the place of snack foods.
Has anyone come up with a jello substitute?
I purchased some dried cherries and would love to have cherry jello:)
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks.
B.

[greenfeline]

I believe if you put enough psyllium husks in a fruit puree it gets jello-like. For cherry jello I wouldn't use dried cherries though. For the fruit puree I would put in a banana for creaminess, plus a bunch of cherries and keep testing with the psyllium husks. I think Alissa's recipe for blueberry pie does something similar.

[Bethanie]

Thank you very much for the help:)
I use to purchase jello from my health food store but they stopped carrying it and i do miss having it.
B.

[RawVee]

What's in Jello?

Gelatin is made of hydrolyzed collagen, which is a polite way of saying partially decomposed protein extracted from cow and pig hides, hooves, bones, and connective tissue. The protein in these materials is broken down by treatment with an alkaline solution and then extracted with hot water.

[Bethanie]

Then i found a vegetarian jello at my health food store and started using it but they stopped carrying it and i'm trying to make my own form of it.
B.

[cherries]

Agar agar is what you need, it is a seaweed. Click here for a pic and instructions (someone elses pic - not mine). You do have to heat it, I would cook the agar first and add the fruit when it cools but before it sets.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lunchinabox/479651223/

[Bethanie]

That's what i looking for:) .
I guess i have to register first before they let me have the recipe though.
I am so happy.
B.

[Live Love Laugh]

My pakage here says ' Mix AGAR AGAR with liquid and Boil ' - so no longer RAW, if that is of concern to you making Jello .
Maybe you could try room temp .. and see if it thickens ..

[Bethanie]

I'll work with it and see if i can keep the temp. low.
Thanks.
B.

[Live Love Laugh]

any liquid or fruit juice should work ... maybe add more flakes if you are also adding fruit ...
Mix one TBSP. into one cup of liquid ...
It's been years since I made Jello - but use to use Welches grape juice for my kids .

[Veganforlife]

What's in Jello?

Gelatin is made of hydrolyzed collagen, which is a polite way of saying partially decomposed protein extracted from cow and pig hides, hooves, bones, and connective tissue. The protein in these materials is broken down by treatment with an alkaline solution and then extracted with hot water.

I remember years ago when I found this out - I almost passed out. I never did like Jello, but think about this. They serve it in hospitals, children eat it. Good golly!!!

I'm thinking the psyllium husks would work with any type fruit to make a "jello" type food. I dunno. I am not gonna try it...

[Live Love Laugh]

Soooo , AGAR AGAR is a Sea VEGETABLE Gelatin ...

[cherries]

I know it is not raw but it is widely used in raw food. I even found a recipe for it in Ann wigmore's book Recipes for Longer Life and as I remember she DID heat it.

It is also a very alkaline food The last chart way down at the bottom of this page says that it has a Ph of 8.5! Only lemons and watermelon are more alkaline.
http://www.rense.com/1.mpicons/acidalka.htm

Here is another non-raw recipe.
http://www.recipezaar.com/126566

[ChrisS]

So just use some agar in water equalling half the liquid. The when it gets under 110 degrees. Add a mixture of dried fruits pureed with some water for a paste. Blend the 2 into a thinner liquid and let set the rest of the way. You get the gelling ability of the agar, and didnt heat the fruit above the killing point of the nutrients and enzymes. Now kids have at it. Or you could always try irish moss for a thickening agent.

[raw_danceruk]

Any berry will make a jelly(jello to americans), blueberry is the best and blackberry

Just puree it, add whatever other fruit you want(apart from pinepple), 30 -40 minutes in the fridge, it will be completly set.

Heres my last one.. just blueberries and blackberries

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2144/10208052/18338975/296595347.jpg
Can make it in a big loaf tin with sliced strawberries or in a bunny mould for kids..possibilites are endless :D

[subbacultcha]

Carrageenan (irish moss) works in a similar way to agar agar but you don't need to heat it. Just soak it, rinse it (A LOT) and blend it in.

The berry thing looks great and so simply! I will have to give it a go! Especially when strawberries are back in season :)