I thought I'd try something different today. In my novel, Reckless Rescue, Marlee has to cook everything from scratch. While I was writing the book, my editor noted that I had the children toasting marshmallows over the fire, and stated that they wouldn't have marshmallows. I did end up taking that portion out (but more because I realised there wouldn't be that many children in the scene), but the reality is, marshmallows are very easy to make.

So today I thought I'd share the recipe I use to make marshmallows. These don't taste quite like the store bought ones, but they are super delicious, and lots of fun to make.

Ingredients:

2 cups of sugar
2 tablespoons of gelatine
1 cup of boiling water

Method:

Dissolve gelatine in boiling water, then pour over the sugar. Beat until stiff. Add flavouring if desired.

Pour into a wet mould. When set, cut into squares, and roll in icing sugar or toasted cocoanut.

Now at first glance, some of these ingredients look hard to procure, but in reality, most of them should be possible. Sugar can be obtained with little technology from sugar beets (It would have been too cold for sugar cane), and gelatine is made by boiling cartilage and bones of animals.

I wanted the settlement on Zerris to give both the idea that survival was hard, but also to show how well the villagers had managed with how little they had. And to point out that no matter how hard life can be for some people, they can still take the time to make marshmallows.

Do you have anything unusual you cook from scratch? Any great recipes to share?