Trifle ... à la Slimming World

I adore trifle! There I've said it and I feel good about it too! I don't really know when trifle got a bad name but I love it. 

When I say 'it' I am of course referring to my usual, full-fat, calorie laden version ... made with Swiss-roll, jam or jelly, custard and cream ... Oh well enough of that now ... stop drooling Giuseppe!  This is now only reserved for special occasions, however, if you'd like me to blog about the non-Slimming World version leave me a comment, I'd be only too happy to oblige!

So, getting back to the main objective of this post, a low-syn slimming world version of "trifle" had to be made.  As usual, this is my preferred way of doing it, but the variations are as endless, depending on where your imagination takes you! But, lets get started ...

You will need:

1 x packet sugar-free jelly crystals (I use Hartley's @ 1 1/2 syns)

1 pint water

1 x packet white chocolate options (2 syns)

1 x packet of gelatine crystals/powder

1 x tub Quark

1 x Muller Light yoghurt

8 strawberries

Note: I think Banana & Custard or Vanilla with Dark Chocolate Sprinkles flavours work best, but you can use any flavour.

The method:

Put the kettle on, then when boiling, pour 1/2 pint of the boiling water into a measuring jug.  Otherwise, bring 1/2 pint of water to the boil in a pan on a low heat.  Now add the jelly crystals to the boiling water while stirring or whisking constantly.  I find that it's much easier with a whisk.  Once the crystals have dissolved, pour the jelly mixture equally into 4 glasses or serving dishes.  Put these into the fridge to set for about 10-15 minutes.

Whilst the jelly is in the fridge, bring another 1/2 pint of water to the boil and then add the gelatine crystals to the water, stirring constantly until the crystals has fully dissolved.  Then add the muller light yoghurt to the gelatine mixture and stir until everything is incorporated.  Leave to one side, but don't put it in the fridge or it will start to set!

Now, wash and slice the strawberries and set aside.

After 10-15 minutes, check to see if the jelly is set on top.  It doesn't have to be fully set, just enough that there is a film on top to hold the next layer of liquid.  When you're happy, that it's set, arrange a layer of strawberry slices on top of the jellies. Then, slowly,  pour over the gelatine and yoghurt mixture equally amongst the 4 dishes.  Put these back into the fridge to fully set, for at least 30 minutes.

In the meantime, take the tub of Quark and add to it the white chocolate options powder.  Mix both together well, then put it back in the fridge until the jellies are set.

Once you are happy that the jellies are fully set, put the quark mixture into a piping bag with a star nozzle and cover the top with small stars.  It should just be enough to cover the 4 dishes.  Top with a glacé cherry and all is good with the world. 

These 'trifles' work out at just under 2 syns.  Leave out the cherry and it's just under 1 syn per trifle.  Quite good for a tasty version of a classic dessert!  Enjoy and let me know what you think if you try it!

Cooks notes:  I have purposely left out any "sponge" as it adds more syn values. However the best alternative I have found is to use a 'boudoir' biscuit (sponge finger) which adds an extra 1 syn.  Still at only 3 syns per 'trifle' it's not that bad! 

Chocolate sprinkles will set you back 1 syn per teaspoon and I just don't think they are worth it!  I'd rather have a cherry!

You can also add fruit into the bottom of the glass with the jelly (like mandarin or banana etc) but I don't like the consistency of the jellied fruit which is why I don't do it.  But if it floats ya' boat - go ahead!

Jelly Sweets à la Slimming World

I dedicate my second ever post to those of you out there who are following the Slimming World plan.  I have been on plan since 5th January 2012 and while progress is slow I have managed to loose a total of  2st 41/2 pound so far I said it was slow, but as the old adage goes, better off than on! 

Having said that, I have achieved my first milestone which was my Club 10 target.  That means loosing 10 % of your starting weight.  My next mile stone is 3 stone, the halfway point of what I want to lose hopefully by the end of the year!

So ... it is going in the right direction after all, as my consultant says "some people take the express way and some a more scenic route" and while at first I thought this was really rather cheesy, I've gradually come to realise that this isn't a competition.   With everything else in my life I want it yesterday, or at the very least by 5.30pm ... so it gives me a chance to play with whatever it is before bedtime!  However, this time I've promised myself that I'm in for the long haul, it's not a race, I want it to work and I want it stay off.

Which leads me onto the main reason for this post - Jelly Sweets.  Part of my journey has involved me joining the Diet Momma facebook group. Which, I have to say is a not only a brilliant support network and massive inspiration but contains wonderful and creative recipe ideas.  One such recipe was for a Haribo  bear replacement, Slimming World friendly Jelly Sweets.  Well, nothing ventured nothing gained and I love both Haribo and jelly so off I went to have a play in the kitchen. 

Ingredients:

1 x sachet of jelly crystals

2 x sachets of gelatine powder

1/2 pint water

2-3 small silicone moulds
optional: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of Citric Acid

Method:

1.  Place 1/2 pint water in a small saucepan and put onto a gentle heat (on our Aga I put it onto the simmering plate)

2.  Add sachet of jelly crystals, I use Hartley's at 1.5 syns for 1 sachet (as pictured), and stir until dissolved.

3.  Add both sachets of gelatine powder and then gently stir until dissolved (don't worry if it goes instantly lumpy, just keep stirring and it should all dissolve)

4.  At this point add the citric acid if you like that sour edge. I love it, the more sour the better!

5.  Pour into jelly moulds and then put in fridge for at least 1 1/2 hours.

 And voila!

Jelly sweets! 

I'm starting to like these better than the shop bought ones and everyone I've forced them upon has really enjoyed them too.

The thing is with these the possibilities are endless, you can try different flavours, adding a tablespoon of yoghurt to make a different texture, even splitting the layers to have multi-coloured sweets.

It's a fab activity to try with the kids and you can even get experimental with the moulds you have around the house: egg cups, yogurt pots, cake moulds, ice-cube trays, shot glasses and on and on.  If you use anything non silicone based, i would recommend spraying the inside with FryLight first to make it easier to get out.

If you're interested, I got the butterfly, teddy and heart moulds from Home Bargains for 79p each.  PoundStretcher and B&M also do them from time to time and I found the other chocolate moulds in T.K.Maxx.  Now I'm always on the look out for fun moulds.  Enjoy and report back if you find any cool variations.  

Happy slimming!

P.S. I have tried (in vain) to make syn free versions of the above that would still remain edible.  I have tried sugar free squashes and also diet fizzy drinks but none taste as good as with the jelly crystals.  So feel free to try, but believe me, I wouldn't bother, so throw caution to the wind and use your 1 1/2 syns.   You deserve it (wink).