National Jell-O Week

February 14, 2012

Ok, I know there are people who don’t like Jell-O. But when I heard there was a whole week committed to Jell-O, I had to investigate. It has been said that Jell-O is "America’s Most Famous Dessert." But I was shocked to see all the ways Jell-O is used. There are Jell-O jigglers, Jell-O parfaits, Jell-O in cakes, salads, lime margarita smoothies, and even Jell-O shots. And, get this…there is even Jell-O wrestling! What a thought.

The discovery of Jello-O developed in 1845 when Pearle Wait, a carpenter, was putting up a cough remedy and laxative tea in his home. He was experimenting with gelatin and came up with a fruit flavored dessert that his wife named Jell-O. Don’t you just love it when something you are trying to do, even if it is not the result you were looking for, works out to be something equal or better?
 
Now get this: Utah’s state legislature has declared Jell-O as the state’s food snack. These people take Jell-O seriously. They eat their Jell-O plain, with fruit, carrots, whip cream—you name it! Supposedly, the state of Utah eats more Jell-O than any other state in the nation.
 
So what are you doing the second full week in February? Guess what that week is: National Jell-O Week. So whether you’ll be a jiggler, a wiggler, or a wrestler, don’t forget the Jell-O.

Jell-O Play Dough

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup flour (white)
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 warm water
1 package (3 ounce size) gelatin powder (any flavor)

PREPARATION:
Combine ingredients and cook over medium heat until it thickens and pulls away from the sides of pot and becomes dull.
Note: it burns easily so don't put over too high a heat and keep stirring. Mold and knead until cool enough to touch. Store in a closed plastic bag.

Jell-O Fun

Jell-O Creations

Jell-O Salads

Deborah J.
Blue Springs North Branch