Do you like marshmallow? Do you know what types of marshmallows are and what can be used to make it? Try making this wonderful and healthy treat yourself.
At the mention of the word "marshmallow" in the imagination, as a rule, delicious, vanilla-sprinkled white or pink sticks, sold in almost any store, are drawn. However, this word also refers to another product that has a more ancient origin.
Pastila is a purely Russian dish. This word does not even have analogs in English and other languages, and it comes, as you might guess, from the verb "bed", which is directly related to how this delicacy is prepared.
Initially, marshmallow was prepared as follows: they made fruit or berry puree, added honey, which was later replaced with sugar, laid out in a thin layer (hence the "bed") and dried in a Russian oven, then rolled into a tube. This marshmallow has a second name - "fig". Even now it is absolutely not difficult to prepare it, especially since any berries and fruits are on sale all year round! Simply mash the ingredients you like best, preferably with honey, not sugar. Cover a baking sheet with baking paper, put mashed potatoes and dry until tender in the oven at a low temperature (70-80 degrees).
There were also some varieties of such marshmallows that have survived to this day. For example, they made several layers from different fruits or berries - it turned out tastier, and also added egg white.
Pastila in the form of the very white cubes mentioned above was developed in the 50s of the last century in the USSR for mass production. You can also cook it yourself.
You will need:
- six pieces of medium-sized apples without dents or damage;
- 550 grams of sugar;
- 15 grams of egg protein;
- 90 ml of water;
- 10 grams of agar agar;
- vanillin or natural vanilla;
- icing sugar
Preparation
Soak agar in hot (75-80 degrees) water and let it swell for 15 minutes.
Wash and dry the apples. Cut in half, remove seeds. Bake in the oven until soft.
Remove the skins. Put the pulp in a blender bowl, add vanilla, 400 grams of sugar and beat until smooth.
While stirring occasionally, bring the agar and water to a boil over low heat. While heating, add the remaining 150 grams of sugar and dissolve. After boiling, cook for no more than a minute and remove from heat.
Whisk the protein vigorously until white, add it to the applesauce and beat well again.
Gradually add the agar syrup and mix thoroughly. No need to whip!
Cover the mold of the appropriate size with cling film and put the resulting mass there. The layer should not be very thick, approximately 1.5-2 cm.
Put the pastille in the refrigerator for 5-6 hours to harden.
Take out the marshmallow and cut it as you like: traditional sticks, circles, etc. Dip in powdered sugar. If necessary, let it dry at room temperature for 3 to 8 hours, then put it in a jar.
Sugar can be partially replaced with honey, which will add its own note to the overall flavor.
When making, you can add natural food coloring to change the color.
Pastila with agar can be made not only from apples, but also from other fruits, for example, pears, peaches, apricots.
