8/18/12

Last week I posted my gelatin bubble tutorial with a note that the taste was less than awesome. I think I concluded that it tasted like nothing with a hint of glue. Now as appetizing as that sounds, I tried  my hand at making some flavored ones. I finally found something that worked fairly well and in true Type A fashion, I compiled a Pro/Con list.  Tadah:

PROS:

• The gelatin mix is super easy to melt resulting in the absence of the face eating alien. (Refer to the first tutorial)
• Almost no air bubbles eliminating the need for the sacrificial lamb. (What I said above)
• It doesn’t smell like butt.

CONS:

• The drying time is slower than the second coming of Christ.
• You’re limited on color choices. I don’t know if you know this, but Jello doesn’t come in every Pantone color.
• It doesn’t really harden all the way. But, it retains it shape really well so if it implodes, just use the stick to push the dents out.

All you have to do is  follow the original tutorial, but use the following measurements:

• 2 parts cold water
• 1/2 part unflavored gelatin
• 1 1/2 part flavored gelatin mix ( Jello or generic brand. Both have suspicious unpronounceable ingredients that I can be paranoid about. That’s how I roll).

Mix the unflavored and flavored gelatin BEFORE adding to the water. Proceed as normal and be prepared to let it dry FOREVER! By forever I mean about 48-72 hours. Like I said, it doesn’t dry hard like the original recipe, but hard enough to hold it’s shape. Like a harder Fruit Roll-Up. The extended drying time may be in part to the fact San Diego is in the middle of this humid heat wave. I blame the Acesulfame Potassium in the Jello. I don’t know, I’m just randomly pointing fingers.  Here’s a photo. Because people seem to never read anything unless there’s a photo:

8/13

If you follow me on Facebook, you may have seen me post these guys:

I made them for a shoot and they’re possible my new favorite thing. Gelatin bubbles! I found the original tutorial on Cake Central and after a few trial and errors, I found what works best for me.  Hope you enjoy making these as much as I do, because I think they’re pretty rad.

What you need:

• Water balloons
• Duct tape
• Sticks (I used cake pop sticks)
• Unflavored gelatin
• Cold water
• Food coloring
• Patience

Mix 1 part gelatin to twp parts water.  I used 2 T. water and 1 T gelatin for 6, 1″ balloons. One of which will be the sacrificial lamb. Put the COLD water in a dish (I prefer a white one so I can see what color I’m making). Sprinkle the gelatin over the top and let it sponge up. There will be undissolved gelatin. Let it be.

 Now make your balloon stick thingys. Blow up the balloon to the size you want (I made mine about 1″), tie a knot and duct tape it to a stick.

Grease your balloons. I ALWAYS forget this step and it’s a freakin PITA to remove the balloon from the bubble.  I remembered once and I used my finger to smear shortening all over the balloon. Make sure it’s a light smear or the gelatin won’t stick. It should look like a shiny face after a hot day, not like a greasy face mask.

Take the sponged up gelatin and pop it in the microwave for 10 seconds to melt the gelatin mass. Maybe 8 seconds if you have a strong one. Don’t let it boil or air bubbles will form and you will be sad. Take the dish out and SWIRL it.  Like you do with that glass of pinot you drink every night (don’t lie). If you mix with a stick, fork, spoon, whatever, air bubbles will form. And you will be sad. There will be a clump of undissolved gelatin-gently fish it out with a fork and toss it.  Here’s a pic of the clump before tossing. It looks like a strange alien that will come to life and eat your face.

Now add some food coloring and swirl it around to incorporate. Gelatin has a yellowish color to it already so factor that into your final desired color.  I used black. At this point, let it sit for a minute or two to let it cool down. Hot gelatin will pop your balloons. And you will be sad.

It’s time for your sacrificial lamb. See all the air bubbles? You will use one of your balloons to skim the surface of the gelatin mix to pick up as many bubbles as you can. Then toss it. I skipped this part for the bubbles in the top photo. There were air bubbles, and I was….sad.

Dip, twirl and coat your balloons. You’ll need about 3-4 coats to make it thick enough. If the mix gets too thick, pop it in the microwave for 3 or so seconds.

Line them up in a stand of your choice and let them dry. Overnight is best, but you can put them in front of a fan for a few hours. It should feel like an eggshell when it’s ready. It’s supposed to be hard, not rubbery. If they still reek of gelatin, they’re not done.

Here’s the fun and satisfying part. Turn them over when dry, cut the balloon with scissors and peel the carcass away. You’ll be left with a super rad gelatin bubble to play around with.

The ones I made in this tutorial are still drying, so here’s a picture of one I made a few weeks ago. They keep really well; I put them in a tupperware container and I’ve read they last indefinitely. Use them to decorate cakes, cupcakes, your kitchen wall-get creative!

So, here’s the thing. They’re made of unflavored gelatin and would taste pretty gross (IMO).  They’re made of unflavored gelatin, and don’t taste fabulous. I finally took a bite of one, and it kind of tastes like nothing with a hint of glue. I’ve not tried making them with flavor, but if you do, let me know how it works!!!

Have fun, my friends!

6/13/12

Who knew it was so easy! Take a gander at my latest tutorial!