Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays. When my children were growing up; I always tried to feed them healthy foods. I limited the amount of sugar and unhealthy ingredients they ate by making jello, using fruit juices and I served homemade snacks. Now that they are grown, they still eat a healthy diet and do not drink sodas or eat a lot of junk foods. I am sure many of us have wondered if our parenting skills are paying off when our children are young and acting out. Well, I believe they do! I have seen it more times than not. Sometimes the sweet rewards come a couple of years after they have experienced the world as an adult and before parents experience the rocking chair.
This tutorial will show how to make Jello using fruit juice and will also show you how to make heart designs in bananas as well as using jello to fill a banana. I have seen writing on bananas and Jello filled fruit, but I have never seen a banana filled with Jello made from fruit juice or heart shapes in the bananas. These are meant to be eaten the first day for best appearance. This instructable was inspired by the Valentine's Contest. Let's get started!
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Step 1: Ingredients and Tools
Knox unflavored gelatin or Agar Agar.
Greenish firm Bananas
Lemon juice approximately 2 Tablespoons, used to help prevent browning on the bananas
Sweetener if desired
Funnel, ladle or spoon
Tiny heart shaped cookie cutter
Tooth pick is helpful
A bowl or something to prop the banana up as well as the banana end as shown in the pictures.
Step 2: Make Jello
2 Envelopes Knox Unflavored Gelatin
1/2 Cup cold fruit juice
1 1/2 Cups fruit juice,heated until boiling
1 Tablespoon sugar or sweetener if desired I did not use sweetener because I thought it was sweet enough.
Pour cold juice into a bowl.
Stir in gelatin until dissolved.
Let set 1 minute.
Add hot juice and stir until dissolved.
Step 3: Shaping the Banana Hearts
Cut the stem tip.
Remove the end about 2 inches ( reserving the cut off piece.)
Gently push the cookie cutter into the end piece.
Carefully remove the heart.
Scoop out the excess banana using a knife and straw.
Re-shape the heart if necessary using the cookie cutter.
Make a heart shape in the remaining banana section and scoop out excess banana and re-shape if needed.
Dab the ends with lemon juice to prevent browning.
Step 4: Filling the Banana Hearts With Jello
Fill the heart shapes with Jello using a ladle or spoon.
Chill ( when the short end is firm, dab it slightly with water and place it back on the banana matching it to the banana section, and chill again until very firm.
Tie a ribbon around it to make it pretty!
Step 5: Banana and Jello
Clean up the stem as shown.
Remove the end of the banana like the heart banana in step 3.
Make a heart shape in the end as shown following the directions in step 3.
Using the knife carefully trim around the inside of the banana as shown.
Cut a cross shape using the knife on the banana.
Remove about 1/4 to 1/2 of the bananas insides as shown using the knife and straw.
Dab the banana ends and the inside with lemon juice to prevent browning.
Fill the banana with jello.
Place the banana in a container that will hold it upright so the jello does not spill.
Place the dish in the refrigerator until firm.
When the end of the banana is firm, slightly wet the jello and place it on the banana as shown or . . .
Remove the peel and then attach it.
Chill until very firm.
Tie a ribbon around it if desired.
Step 6: Sunshiine's Final Thoughts
You will notice the banana peel turned dark. I waited until the next afternoon to take pictures and it is better to eat the banana the first day. OK, now you guys know why I share so many projects here! My husband teases me all the time about my projects here on instructables. Secretly I am trying to lure a few of you readers into making your first instructable!
I wish to thank instructables, our sponsors, authors, and loyal readers for making this DIY the best on the web! Have a splendorous week!
Participated in the
Valentine's Day Contest