Pastila is an undeservedly forgotten delicacy. Delicious, very healthy and low-calorie. You can prepare it without much difficulty and large cash costs. Choose any recipe you like and surprise your loved ones with an original homemade dish!
Since ancient times, marshmallow has been considered one of the most popular delicacies in Russia. It was made in almost every home from seasonal berries and fruits. Pastila is rich in vitamins and microelements, it is stored for a long time and has a wonderful taste.
At one time, they undeservedly forgot about the marshmallow. But now traditions are reviving - marshmallow reappears on our table. And for good reason, this delicacy is much more useful than store-bought confectionery. Especially if you cook it yourself at home.
Traditionally, marshmallows are made in a Russian oven. Such an oven smoothly and evenly lowers the temperature, which contributes to the ideal drying of the marshmallow without losing its taste and beneficial substances contained in the fruits and berries used. But you can easily do without the Russian stove - now in the modern world there is a technique that can easily replace it.
The composition of the marshmallow
There are two types of pastilles: classic, consisting only of puree of fruits or berries with the addition of honey or sugar, and made with the addition of egg white. If the classic marshmallow looks like dark and flexible sheets, then the marshmallow with egg white looks and tastes more like marshmallows.
Usually marshmallow is made from sour apples, as well as pears, plums, apricots, mountain ash, currants, cherries, lingonberries and other, preferably sour, fruits and berries. Of course, no one forbids to show imagination and prepare marshmallow from several fruits and / or berries at the same time.
By the way, candy is a low-calorie treat, especially if you don't add a lot of sugar to it. Then there are about 300 Kcal per 100 g, or even less. The most important thing for those who are on a diet, but want something tasty.
Marshmallow recipes
There are a lot of recipes for marshmallows. Almost every region, every region, every district had its own recipe. It is quite possible to make marshmallow at home. Here are some tried and true easy recipes.
Apple pastila at home in the oven
This recipe for a classic quick apple marshmallow at home will not leave anyone indifferent. If you absolutely do not know how to cook marshmallow, but really want to learn, you should start with this recipe. It is lightweight, requires minimal money, and always pleases with a good result.
Ingredients:
- sour apples - 1 kg;
- sugar - 200 g (you can put more or less, depending on preferences and the acidity of apples);
- water - 1 glass.
Step by step recipe:
- Rinse the apples, dry them. If the apples are too dense and thick, remove them. Cut out seeds and rotten or damaged areas from apples, if any. Cut the apples into medium-sized wedges.
- Put the chopped apples in a saucepan, pour a glass of water there, then cook it all until soft, that is, about 20-30 minutes.
- Drain off excess liquid, puree apples with a blender or a special mashed potato pusher.
- Add sugar to the resulting puree, mix.
- Take a large baking sheet and line it with baking paper. Put the resulting mass on it. Try to keep the layer thickness below 4 mm. Make the edges slightly thicker than the middle.
- Set the oven to the lowest temperature. Preferably 60-80 degrees, but not more than 100. Place the baking sheet in the oven. Dry the pastille for 8-9 hours at a temperature of 60 degrees. If your oven temperature is higher, reduce the cooking time proportionally. When the marshmallow stops sticking to your hands, it is completely ready.
- Cool the pastille, cut it into squares or strips, or simply roll it up. Store in the refrigerator, preferably in a container, not plastic.
Belevskaya apple candy
This recipe is one of the most delicious and successful. Belevskaya marshmallow turns out to be very soft and airy, and it looks like a cross between marshmallow and biscuit. It just melts in your mouth! It is more difficult to prepare it than the classic one, but it is quite possible. If you carefully and clearly follow all the stages of preparation, then everything will work out the first time.
Ingredients:
- apples - 2 kg;
- sugar - 300 g;
- egg - 2 pcs.
Step by step recipe:
- Rinse the apples thoroughly. Peel them if necessary. Remove the bones.
- Bake the apples in the oven at 180 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.
- Puree the apples with a blender.
- Add half the sugar to the apple mass, beat on medium speed for about 10-15 minutes.
- Beat the egg whites with the other half of the sugar until firm peaks.
- Gently mix the whipped egg whites into the apple mixture.
- Transfer a few tablespoons of the protein-apple mixture to a separate container.
- Place the remaining mixture on a baking sheet lined with baking paper and oiled with a little vegetable oil.
- Preheat the oven to a temperature of 70-80 degrees and place a baking sheet in it for 5-7 hours. If the temperature is about 100 degrees, reduce the number of hours to 3-4.
- Cool the pastille, cut into 2-4 pieces of equal size. Stack these parts on top of each other, smearing the layers with the protein-apple mixture you laid down earlier.
- Dry the pastille in the oven for another 1-2 hours at the same temperature.
- To serve on the table, belevskaya marshmallow must be cooled and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Cherry candy
Another fun recipe for homemade marshmallows includes cherries. Few people use this sour berry just like that, but it looks great in various dishes. And marshmallow is no exception. Cherry candy is healthy, moderately sour and very, very tasty.
Ingredients:
- cherry - 1 kg;
- sugar - 250 g;
- water - 1 glass.
Step-by-step recipe:
- Rinse and sort the cherries.
- Place the cherries and water in a saucepan and cook with the lid closed for about 25-30 minutes. Don't forget to stir!
- Then drain the excess liquid, cool the cherry and grind it through a sieve to separate the pulp from the seeds and skin.
- Add sugar to the pulp, stir.
- Take a flat large heat-resistant dish or baking sheet, cover it with baking paper (always thick, preferably with a special coating), put on it an even layer of rubbed cherries with sugar, not exceeding 5-6 mm thick.
- Dry in the oven at 70-80 degrees for about 7-8 hours. If the minimum temperature in your oven is higher, reduce the time accordingly.
- Then cool the marshmallow and roll it into a tube, or cut it. Bon Appetit!
Pastila with apricots with walnuts
This original and unusual recipe will especially appeal to those who love nuts. Apricots just go perfectly with walnuts. This marshmallow turns out to be fragrant, with a pronounced oriental taste.
Ingredients:
- apricots - 2 kg;
- walnuts - 150 g;
- sugar - 200 g;
- vegetable oil - 1-2 tablespoons
Step-by-step recipe:
- Puree the apricots in a blender until smooth. Add sugar.
- Place the mixture on fire. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Cool, add chopped walnuts. Mix thoroughly.
- Spread baking paper on a large baking sheet, brush it with oil, then pour the mixture into it. Try to keep the layer thickness no more than 8 mm.
- Dry in the sun for 4-6 days, or in the oven at 70-90 degrees for about 9-10 hours.
- Cool the marshmallow, cut it into small pieces.
- Store at room temperature in a tightly closed tin, glass container, or refrigerator.
