Toasted Coconut Marshmallows

Week: 9
Ingredient: Manischewitz Toasted Coconut Marshmallows
From: Martin's, Harrisonburg, VA
Recipe: Toasted Coconut Rice Krispies Treats

I found this week’s ingredient in one of those seasonal displays at the grocery store. This one was for Passover. Beside the matzo and the gefilte fish, there were bags of Toasted Coconut Marshmallows. As far as I am concerned, marshmallows have approximately three uses:

1. S’mores
2. Hot chocolate
3. Rice Krispies Treats

So what exactly does one do with coconut-covered marshmallows?

And why in the world did I buy them? I must have been disobeying that classic rule (never shop for groceries when you are hungry) because even copious amounts of coconut—which I love—would not make me want to eat marshmallows plain. I see them as little fluffy pillows of sweet blandness. They are not bad—just boring. (Actually, I have heard that homemade marshmallows are unbelievably delicious compared to store-bought ones, but that is not really relevant in this case.) A covering of toasted coconut adds some flavor, but I do not think it is enough to elevate the marshmallow to an eat-out-of-the-bag snack.

Anyway, something made me buy them, and they have been sitting in my pantry taunting me with their mediocrity ever since. I had to do something with them just to get rid of them. Since I could use the whole bag quickly and easily by making Rice Krispies Treats, that is what I decided to do.

Whenever I make Rice Krispies Treats, I never follow a recipe, and I always add peanut butter. Without the peanut butter, I find the treats to be just like marshmallows—sweet and bland. I was hoping Toasted Coconut Rice Krispies Treats would have some flavor ...

... And they did, but I was still disappointed with the results. There just was not enough coconut. Or perhaps they needed an additional flavor, such as nuts or chocolate. That’s it—they needed nuts and chocolate! Oh yeah ... I’m thinking pecans and dark chocolate. Mmm ...

Conclusion: I could have made Toasted Coconut Rice Krispies Treats with regular marshmallows simply by adding toasted coconut. The special marshmallows were not necessary. However, if you have ever avoided marshmallows because you are suspicious of the source of the gelatin in them, Manischewitz marshmallows are for you. It tells you right there in the ingredient list that they are made with kosher fish gelatin. Yummy! Don’t you feel better knowing that?