Biblically Clean Marshmallows

Biblically clean marshmallows! First off, did you know that most brands of marshmallows are Biblically unclean? It's because they contain gelatin, which is made from pig, unless clearly specified as beef/bovine, fish, or certified kosher gelatin. Gelatin is one of those things that can sneak into foods you don't expect, not just jello and marshmallows, but fruit snacks and candy, and even some yogurts and sour cream.

The good news is that there are Biblically clean marshmallows! Here are some common brands.

Dandies are vegan and made without gelatin. I have not tried them but they are available pretty widely at many grocery stores.

Smashmallows come in a variety of flavors and are made with certified kosher bovine gelatin. They are available at Target and other major grocery stores.

Paskesz is probably the easiest brand to find, at least in my area. Kroger and Meijer often carry these. I find their texture to be reasonably similar to regular marshmallows.

Making homemade. This is obviously not a brand, but if you get beef gelatin you can make marshmallows using any recipe. Just substitute the beef gelatin for the regular pork kind equally. To make marshmallows you basically heat a large amount of sugar to a specific temperature, add gelatin, and mix for about 10 minutes. Lots of people have told me that if they can make them anyone can.

Here's a link to for kosher beef gelatin from Great Lakes Wellness.

Here's a recipe for Brown Sugar Marshmallows with Chocolate Swirl from Buttermilk by Sam!

If you're not familiar with Biblically clean eating, this blog has a lot of resources! Start with learning what Biblically clean eating is here.

Trader Joe's marshmallows are the most similar to regular marshmallows of all the brands I have tried. I am told they are only available seasonally so look for them in the summer months.

Related posts:
Biblically Clean Cookout Recipes
What is Biblically Clean Eating?
How To Eat Biblically Clean at Summer Cookouts

Matzah Toffee Ice Cream Sundaes for Passover

This sweet treat is special for the Biblical holiday season because it utilizes the Passover favorite, matzah toffee! If you're not familiar with matzah toffee, it's a popular Passover treat. Boxed matzah is the commercial unleavened bread of choice for both Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. These thin and crunchy sheets of matzah get topped with caramel, baked, then topped with a layer of melted chocolate. There are many different versions, some add flaky sea salt, chopped nuts, or toasted coconut to the chocolate...any kind would be great in this sundae!

Creamy ice cream is offset by the crunch of the matzah toffee, giving wonderful texture to this dessert. A few raspberries add a tart counterpoint, plus a nod to the blood of the lamb, which protected the Israelites from the darkness of the angel of the death, which is symbolized in dark chocolate. Enjoy this dessert on Passover or during the week of Unleavened Bread, or any time of year!

To make Matzah Toffee Ice Cream Sundaes you'll need:

Ice cream (I used chocolate)
Matzah toffee pieces and crumbs (I used Smitten Kitchen's recipe)
Chocolate sauce
Raspberries
Whipped cream

Simply dip your ice cream into bowls, then add bite-size pieces of matzah toffee and any other toppings you like!

This dessert is easily customizable. Vanilla or strawberry ice cream would work well, instead of chocolate. Feel free to use vegan ice cream, if you prefer. You can make your matzah toffee using gluten-free boxed matzah if you'd like. Caramel sauce, berry coulis, dark chocolate shavings, or nuts would be good topping additions too.

You can make this for yourself and your family anytime during the holiday season. This also works well to serve to a larger group, like at a Passover Seder or an Unleavened Bread get together, since it's pretty hassle-free and everyone can assemble their dessert to their liking. How fun would an ice cream sundae bar be to celebrate these set apart times? The matzah toffee makes it special for Passover season.

More Passover treat posts:
Kosher for Passover Dessert Recipes
Red Sea Crossing Smoothie Bowls
Coconut Cookies for Passover

Meal Ideas for the Feast of Unleavened Bread

During the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we are instructed to abstain from leavened products for the week. (See this post for details on leaven.) I've rounded up some totally delicious recipes that are free from leaven and appropriate during Unleavened Bread, or any other time of year.

Soups: 

Seriously Good Vegetable Soup from Cookie and Kate

One Pot Spiced Sweet Potato Lentil Soup from Minimalist Baker

Asparagus Potato Soup from A Beautiful Plate

One Pot Red Lentil Sweet Potato Stew from Making Thyme for Health

One Pot Tuscan Style Beef Lentil Soup from Minimalist Baker

Butternut Squash Quinoa Chili from How Sweet Eats

Broccoli Cheese Soup from Cookie and Kate

Easy Butternut Squash Soup from A Couple Cooks

One Pot Everyday Lentil Soup from Minimalist Baker

Eggs and breakfasts:

Foolproof Shakshuka from Cookie and Kate

Healthy Breakfast Casserole from Love and Lemons 

Turkish Egg and Quinoa Breakfast Bowls from Half Baked Harvest

Frittata from Cookie and Kate

Grain Free Granola from My New Roots

Healthy Breakfast Smoothies from Love and Lemons 

Citrus Ricotta Breakfast Bowl with Honeycomb from Half Baked Harvest
*use grain free granola if you're avoiding oats

Berry Superfood Smoothie Bowls from Love and Lemons 

Salads:

Spring Nicoise Salad from How Sweet Eats

Chopped Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing from Pinch of Yum

Simple Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette from Minimalist Baker

Mexican Kale and Quinoa Salad from Cookie and Kate

Abundance Salad with Savory Tahini Dressing from Minimalist Baker

Easy Green Goddess Dressing from Cookie and Kate

Mains:

Sheet Pan Chicken Shwarma with Sesame Sweet Potatoes and Hummus from Half Baked Harvest

Grain Free Burrito Bowls with Shredded Mexican Chicken from Minimalist Baker

30 Minute Cauliflower Rice Stir Fry from Minimalist Baker

Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach and Salmon from Half Baked Harvest

Sheet Pan Chickpea Tikka from Making Thyme for Health

Spring Skillet Roasted Lemon Chicken and Veggies from Half Baked Harvest

Mujaddara from Cookie and Kate

Sheet Pan Chicken Tinga Bowls from Pinch of Yum

Noodle Free Pad Thai from Minimalist Baker

Stuffed Delicata Squash from A Couple Cooks

Perfect Baked Salmon with Lentils and Lemon Herb Sauce from Pinch of Yum

Sides:

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes from Healthy Nibbles

Wild Rice Broccoli Casserole from A Couple Cooks

Creamed Spaghetti Squash with Browned Butter Walnuts from Half Baked Harvest

Easy Refried Beans from Cookie and Kate

Corn Salsa from Making Thyme for Health

Eight-Minute Sweet Potatoes from Minimalist Baker

Simple Chickpea Salad from A Couple Cooks

Mayo-Free Deviled Eggs from Minimalist Baker

Garlic Spaghetti Squash with Herbs from Pinch of Yum

Roasted Asparagus from Healthy Nibbles

Here's my recipe for homemade einkorn matzah (unleavened bread).
More recipes for the Feast of Unleavened Bread here.
Don't forget dessert! Kosher for Passover desserts recipes here.