If you want to inject a tonne of fun into your gathering, you'll need jelly. You could wrestle in it, of course, but for the less athletic-minded a jelly-based dessert is just as entertaining.
Delightful jelly has been around a very long time, though not nearly as long as preserves. While pectin was setting jams in the Middle East sometime in the 11th century, it took the invention of gelatin by Denis Papin in 1682 to set jelly on its path to dessert heaven.
Thanks to Monsieur Papin, the world has been perfecting jelly recipes ever since.
Whether it's the familiar wibbly-wobbly jelly with only a hint of gelatin added, or a much more robust jello where a hearty helping of gelatin keeps things firm, there's a jelly recipe for every occasion.
Strawberries and cream
This is a dessert with definite wow factor. Source: Petrina Tinslay
This festive
milk jelly ring
is just as easy to prepare as traditional strawberries and cream, but a ton more exciting. The top layer of jelly is made out of pureed strawberries, and the bottom sweetened vanilla milk.
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Strawberry jelly with roasted strawberry foolParty layers
Bringing sexy back to the festive trifle. Source: Feast magazine
Pedro Ximenez, a sweet Spanish sherry, flavours the jelly in this extravagantly
layered dessert
. Shortbread biscuits, dulce de leche cream, chocolate custard and toasted almonds stack to create spoonsfulto remember.
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Lychee, rosé and ginger cream layered jellyTropical trifle
No trifle with this trifle. Source: The Great Australian Cookbook
A classic Aussie trifle is given a
tropical twist
with a mango and passionfruit jelly. Pavlova and two types of cream create the other layers, all topped with a pineapple, passionfruit and mango fruit compote to add plenty of amazing.
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Set passionfruit cream with elderflower jellySpeaking of a trifle...
Shaking up this traditional English dessert are flavours from Turkey - say goodbye to your grandma's recipe. Source: Alan Benson
Our very favourite jelly would have to be
Turkish delight
. Such a genius move to layer it into a trifle with fresh fruit, custard and a rose-scented cream. It's a celebration in a trifle bowl.*
* By the way, if a dessert has a dedicated bowl, you know it's one of the best.
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One final word on trifle
Celebrate with the iconic flavours of Iced VoVo with sticky raspberry jelly, soft panels of pink sweetness and a delicate sprinkling of coconut. Source: Bake Australia Great by Katherine Sabbath
It's true that a trifle can be a trifle time consuming. But oh-so worth it. This
Iced Vovo concoction
is a case in point. Make it and weep happy tears while you eat.
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TrifleRaspberry works
The prettier the dessert, the happier the hoards. Source: Tim Thatcher
Raspberries seem made for jelly. They go particularly well with a delicately flavoured and scented
geranium jelly
. Individual desserts make for easy serving at the table.
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Lychee and rose petal jelly with pistachioNicely cupped
The shells of a panama passionfruit are a lovely size to hold and perfect for scooping jelly from. Source: Benito Martin
Amp up the fun-factor of
fresh passionfruit jelly
by serving it in the shell. Such a great dessert idea for a large gathering - you can waltz around handing out jelly magic and soak up the accolades.
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Mango and passionfruit jelliesVegan jelly
You can pick up agar-agar from Asian grocers and many health food stores. Source: Brett Stevens
This
Thai sweet
uses agar-agar to set the jellies. It's a gelling agent made from red algae, making it a viable vegan alternative for gelatin in many recipes.
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Chamomile, manuka honey and raspberry jelliesTop a cheesecake
Chances are a neighbour has a gooseberry bush that's dripping with fruit, waiting to be turned into the perfect summer dessert. Source: Royal Gardens on a Plate
Jelly and cheesecake go together like gelatin and water.
This version
is made particularly festive via the green of gooseberries. They add a tartness to the jelly that perfectly balances the creaminess of the cheesecake.
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Green tea glazed cheesecakesPyramid scheme
This next-level pastry dessert is best served fresh, but you can also make it a day in advance. Source: SBS Food
This impressive recipe
is based on a traditional French lemon meringue tart. A pastry base is filled with lime curd and coriander jelly. The herbal hit of the jelly cuts through the sweetness of the meringue and curd. This one is definitely a labour of love, but so worth it for the oohs and ahhs.
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Red bean, coconut and grass jelly dessert drinkFalooda good
In Afghanistan, falooda is sold in small, colourfully decorated ice-cream shops known as shir yakh feroshees. Source: Alicia Taylor
How beautiful does this
Afghan dessert
look? Such a treat to see these served at your celebration. Layersof rose syrup, pieces of maghoot jelly, icecream, milk and nuts are served with both a straw and a spoon. What a way to end a party!
