This is a best of repost from January of 2007. I am reposting it for inclusion in the final week of the “Frugal Food Series: Everything Else”.
Well, Buddy has snack today at preschool, a fact that I totally forgot (despite having written it on our nice new calendar-as Yankee Bill says, writing it down only helps if you look at it) until our very helpful preschool teacher called and reminded me yesterday. (Thanks Laurie!)
I looked around the house to decided what to make. Baking was out since I had decided to self clean the oven and it was at about 500 degrees until past 6 pm last night (oops!). So I decided to make Jello Jigglers. (Bet you couldn’t see that coming from the title of the post or anything. . . .)
The great thing about Jigglers is that they are inexpensive, can be made “healthy” with the addition of juice, and have that sort of “plastic” junk food quality that kids seem to like (look mom, it’s day glo orange!). Also, since they are so much more solid than regular jello they hold up at room temp and can be taken on picnics etc without having to worry about refrigeration.
Since I usually buy the generic brand gelatin (and the store brand boxes don’t have the recipe on the box), I figured I’d be dual purpose and print the recipe here. This way I can share it with my readers and have it accessible for the next time I need it.
Last night I did a small batch to fit in a 8X8 pan-I’m filling out the jiggler snack with some pretzels and juice. So that is the size this recipe is for.
2 pkgs of instant jello (regular sugar kind-4 servings each)
1 1/2 cups of boiling water or juice
Combine the boiling water and jello and stir for 3 minutes. Then pour into an 8X8 pan and let set in the fridge for several hours until solid. To release from pan, dip the entire pan into hot water for a few minutes (obviously this means to just get the outside hot, not to get the water on the inside) then slide the sheet of jigglers out. They always say that you can cut it into shapes with cookie cutters, but I have always just made plain old cubes.
Oh yum, I love jello jigglers and I have about 99 boxes of jello LOL I think I’ll have to make these today.
Another topic from the past that you might want to re-post about for this part of the frugal food series is caramel corn.
I’m sorry to send my comment in two pieces. I think I’ve installed too many security systems on my computer, and now it is acting a bit erratic.
I’m a very amateur cook. Since reading your suggestions about caramel corn quite awhile ago I’ve made it for gifts and various social occasions. Sometimes I’ve added nuts and/or fancy packaging, depending on the circumstances. It has always been a hit, but I do sometimes worry that maybe I should include a toothbrush with it! -Mac
Dawn-glad to remind you of this favorite. Jello is also good frozen in Popsicle molds.
Mac-totally forgot about the caramel corn! I should probably post biscotti too, that’s easy and elegant. I’m glad the c.corn has worked so well for you-doesn’t it just make you look like a rock star cook?
Oh…..the memories!! My Mama used to make these for us!
She as a wiz with jello and instant pudding!
I always wished my mom would make these instead of a bowl of Jell-O. It is still one of the things I gravitate towards at potlucks š Thanks for the lunch inspiration!