Before I ordered my Lush, I was loving the idea of the shower jelly. I searched online and found a recipe. I made the version with the two packets of gelatin so that it would be firm enough to hold and use as is. (With the Lush version, many people pinch off a piece and smush it into a loofah because its hard to hold on to.) I think I may try using just one and a half packs next time and see how it works. You keep it in the fridge so when you use it is nice and cool and silky. I did not use the preservative and I have had the green one well over a month and it is still just fine!
I just found a new recipe that looks more like Lush's. Here is the link to it
http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=3
Here is the recipe I used:
1/2 cup melted transparent pour and melt soap. You can also substitute the melt and pour for a liquid shower gel or bubble bath. (I didn't notice you could use liquid soap. I might try that to make it a little more jiggly!)
2 cups boiling water
1 envelope Knox brand unflavored gelatin
1/2 oz Germaben II (a preservative that prevents mold and available from many online supply companies). Only needed if you won't be using the bath jelly within a few weeks. A couple teaspoons of Vodka (yes, the kind you drink) will also help prevent mold and can be used instead of Germaben II.
1/4 to 1/2 ounce fragrance oil
Water based soap coloring
Several small containers, like empty yogurt containers, or plastic baby food tubs. I love the plastic baby food containers because they are clear (with no label) and have snap-on lids.
GETTING STARTED
Step One
This receipe will make approximately 16 ounces of bath jelly. For firmer Jelly that you can slice, add 1 additional packet of gelatin to the above ingredients. Sliced jelly soap pictured below. I poured the gelatin/soap mixuture into square Tupperware containers, let set up and then gently removed from tray with a plastic spatula.
Step Two
In a bowl, add gelatin to boiling water. Slowly (and I mean slowly; you don't want to create a bunch of foam) stir until completely dissolved.
Step Three
Set the gelatin/water mixture aside. Using a glass measuring cup, melt the soap base on a low setting in the microwave. Be careful not to overheat.
Step Four
Allow melted soap to cool down a bit before adding fragrance and color.
Step Five
Pour melted soap into the gelatin/water mixture. Stir slowly and gently.
Step Six
Pour mixture into clean containers. Allow to set up in fridge until firm (3-5 hours).
Step Seven
Store any unused bath jelly in the fridge until ready to use. Like any gelatin, it will melt if stored at room temp.
Step Eight
NOTE: You can revise this recipe using liquid soap or bubble bath. Substitute 1/2 cup clear shower gel or bubble bath for the melt and our soap and reduce boiling water to 3/4 cups.
A couple years ago I read, "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle", by Barbara Kingsolver. It's she and her family writing about the experience after deciding to eat local food for a year. I absolutely LOVED it and was so inspired! They grow their own vegetables, raise their own poultry, make their own bread and even make their own cheese. They include recipes in the book and I was inspired to try making the mozzarella. She refers to the book "Home Cheese Making" by Rikki Cardoll.
So here is my lovely result.One gallon of milk made two fresh balls of mozzarella and at least a pint of ricotta cheese. I want to make it again and make some delicious lasagna! But for the first time we just wanted to have it fresh!
My sister and I made this last fall.
We sliced it up, along with some of the tomatoes from our garden and drizzled a little Italian dressing over it. We also had a few balsamic marinated onions we got at the store. Very satisfying to eat something you have created yourself!!
