Jelly Fish
I was clipping images from old magazines and came across this Hellmann's mayonnaise ad in a 1960s Life. It's a recipe for an aspic aquarium. Unlike the very talented Mary who actually attempts strange recipes, I can barely manage toast, so I won't even try to make this monstrosity. I mean really, what were they thinking? Surely someone dropped some acid and then created this recipe. Here it is, just in case our lovely Mary or anyone else wants to make it. If you do, let us know how it turns out!
1) Prepare clear gelatin. Flavor with lemon juice, touch of sugar. Add drop of blue vegetable color.
2) Pour thin layer in loaf pan or bowl. Chill until slightly thickened.
3) Prop escarole sprigs, parsley, and scallion to pan edge, suspended upside down.
4) Next, the fish! Press bright pimiento "fish" cut-outs into first layer.
5) Continue making gelatin layers with vegetable "fish" (cucumber, carrot), at different levels.
6) Mold last layer with shrimp, shell macaroni and cauliflowerettes for "ocean bed."
Unmold! Slice, and garnish with ripples of Hellmann's Real
Mayonnaise, famous for the lightness of whole eggs...whipped high and smooth.
posted by swapatorium @ 1:06 PM
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I wonder if anyone ever actually made it besides the creator. It sounds like way to much work and isn't all the attractive.
Well it looks lovely - but that must taste horrid! Tempted to try it but I know no one in my family will eat it! :)
Unbelievable.
I'm also considering that it is in fact unbelievable and what we're observing in the photo is not the real deal and largely indigestible.
Wonder how many people hopped to the kitchen and vainly attempted to recreate?
Wow! This is kinda what I imagined ambergris would like when I was kid - a loaf of greenish, smelly jello retched onto the beach by Sammy the Sperm Whale.
I was sickened just l00king at it! I mean, EW!
lmb0!
I want to know just WTF a big bowl of mayonnaise is doing there.
I've NEVER been to a party where there's been bowls of mayo sitting around.
you're really suppose to eat THAT?
Do you all forget all the crap they used to put in Jello salads? I've seen recipes with lime Jello and saurkraut for Gods sake.
This is obviously just for decoration and I find it fun in a 1950's retro/over the top Kitsch-sy type way.
Hope I spelled that right.
I'm a private chef and caterer and I wouldn't hesitate to use this for that type of party.
that aquarium is awesome. but who the heck would make that thing let alone eat it. however maybe if you added those ripples of mayonnaise they suggest it might be rather tasty. second thought...i doubt it. i mean really that thing has to taste nasty. but nonetheless it sure is pretty to look at.
I think probably Damien Hirst might try this and sell it to Tate Modern!
The fact that the gelatin is flavoured with 'lemon juice, touch of sugar' suggests that it is to be eaten.
How about making a situation out of the jelly wax stuff and some spent regular wax. Fill the container with the clear stuff and cut out fishy things from the regular colored wax. Use cookie cutters.
For the wicks press the wick string between two layers of warm green wax and cut into the shape of seaweed. Hit it with a hair dryer to seal it up tight and dimple it or whatever to make it look good.
I think a five gal would be pricey, but then there's little tanks as well. Beta bowls that hang on the wall or have the little kitty looking in. Yardsales and thrift stores etc.
I would hate to smell that thing they made out of food, all that good food, rotting away in the garbage.
Oh my gosh, my grandma used to make orange jello with carrot shavings, green olives, then topped with mayonaise! I was thoroughly disgusted every time I saw it quivering in it's bowl on the dinner table. My parents swore it was delicious, and while I was an adventurous eater, I never could bring myself to try it...this brings up childhood memories I'm trying to forget... :)
oh yes, Damian Hirst´s "Away from the Flock" or his shark were also my associations... Crazy artwork, but uuurgh! i wouldn´t eat it! But creating it as party decoration might be fun!
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