Should you think twice before eating Marshmallows?

Mumbai's monsoon seems elusive right now even though there are the occasional showers but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the goodness of marshmallows. While the beverages like coffee and tea make for perfect companions during the rain, the soups aren't far behind as everybody wants a steaming bowl of comforting flavours. Over the years, the humble marshmallow has also become a faithful companion but never the star of the dish or meal. The soft, pillowy treats made from sugar, water and gelatin, are perfect for the monsoon, especially when dunked in chocolate but is there more to it?

Mumbaikars love their vada pav, samosa pav and bhajiyas and their many steaming variations during the monsoon season but one can agree that marshmallows are becoming irresistible, as they slowly gain popularity in India. Interestingly, Mumbai chef Mozanne Karbhari, who is the sous chef at ITC Grand Central, Mumbai says it has had quite a journey in the country and city.

Evolution of marshmallows in India
She explains, "In India, marshmallows have gone from being a specialty item to a common element throughout time. They were once mostly found in foreign food stores, but they are now widely accessible in neighbourhood markets and are utilised in a variety of fusion and Indian desserts." Their growing popularity has been boosted by the expanding impact of international culinary trends, especially those from the west. It won't be long before Indians add them to not only Indian sweets and desserts but also savoury items.

Even as marshmallows evoke nostalgia because they are connected to sweets from childhood, they are so much more, according to Mumbai chefs like Karbhari. Beyond them being used in hot chocolate, there is a lot more to the fluffy confectionary that makes them a favourite not only in restaurants in Mumbai but also across India. "Marshmallows have a texture and versatility that makes them special," says the Mumbai-based chef, continuing, "They can be melted, toasted, or used as a topping. They also mix nicely with other ingredients to improve a dish's overall flavour and appearance."

In the process, Karbhari says the role of marshmallows has also evolved making people and chefs look at it beyond a delightful addition to a sweet dish or a warm mug. They can not only be added to waffles and pancakes, she says, but also used as a main ingredient in desserts like s'mores and marshmallow-filled cupcakes, or even utilised in certain inventive fusion recipes where their sweetness compensates savoury flavours.

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She adds, "Marshmallows are used in savoury meals like roasted pork with a marshmallow sauce and to produce airy textures in desserts like mousses. They give a whimsical touch to drinks, such as marshmallow-infused syrup for mixed drinks or foamy toppings. The secret is to employ them in unexpected and delightful ways while maintaining a balance of sweetness." At the five-star property, they make a delicious Marshmallow and Caramel Swirl Cheesecake.

Elsewhere in Mumbai, Veeraj Shenoy, chief operating officer of F&B, Imagicaaworld Entertainment Ltd., Malpani Group, says they have been serving marshmallows for quite some time now at Imagicaa and it is not only popular among kids but also adults. The property not only serves s'mores with coffee and desserts but also serves marshmallows with fruits to make it more creative. They host a DIY Roasting Bar for the children with their Tubby's Secret Party with a circus theme.

Keeping with the spirit, Shenoy even suggests ideas to have your marshmallow party at home. He explains, "You can easily offer classic, flavoured, and gourmet marshmallows like chocolate-covered or infused with different flavours. Pair them with chocolate chips, sprinkles, crushed cookies, caramel sauce, and flavoured syrups. It can get even better if you grill them so you can use different types of skewers (metal or bamboo) and maybe even different roasting tools or gadgets." Taking it a step further, he says you can add Graham crackers, different types of chocolate bars, and fruit slices for making s'mores or just enjoying with roasted marshmallows as an accompaniment. A party is incomplete without a theme and so you can easily create decor to make a cosy, campfire-themed area with blankets, lanterns, and maybe even a faux fire pit. You can also go the extra mile and make take-home kits so can recreate the fun at home.

Grilled Fruit Skewers with Marshmallows

Ingredients:

Fruits:
Pineapple, peeled and cut into chunks 1 no
Peaches or nectarines, pitted and cut into wedges 2 nos
Strawberries, hulled 1 pint
Bananas, sliced into thick rounds 2 nos
Apples or pears, cored and cut into chunks (optional) 1-2 nos
Regular or flavoured marshmallows 1 bag

Skewers:
Wooden or metal skewers (if using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before use)
Optional glaze (Choose One or More):

Honey Cinnamon Glaze:
Honey 2 tbsp
Ground cinnamon 1 tbsp
Maple Vanilla Glaze:
Maple syrup 2 tbsp
Vanilla extract 1 tsp

Brown sugar butter glaze:
Melted butter 2 tbsp
Brown sugar 2 tbsp

Method:
1. Wash and cut the fruit into bite-sized pieces. For apples or pears, consider soaking in a lemon-water solution (1 tablespoon lemon juice in 1 cup water) to prevent browning.
2. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
3. Thread the fruit pieces and marshmallows onto the skewers, alternating between fruit and marshmallows. You can arrange them in any pattern you like.
4. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius). 5. If using a grill pan, preheat it over medium-high heat on the stovetop.
6. For honey cinnamon glaze, mix honey and cinnamon in a small bowl.
7. For maple vanilla glaze, combine maple syrup and vanilla extract in a small bowl.
8. For brown sugar butter glaze, mix melted butter and brown sugar in a small bowl.
9. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, turning until the fruit is slightly charred and the marshmallows are golden brown and gooey. Be careful not to burn the marshmallows.
10. During the last minute of grilling, brush the skewers with your chosen glaze to add extra flavour.
11. Remove the skewers from the grill and let them cool for a minute before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Marshmallow & Caramel Swirl Cheesecake

Ingredients:
Graham cracker crumbs 1 1/2 cups
Melted butter 1/3 cup
Cream cheese 16 oz
Sugar 3/4 cup
Eggs, large 2 nos
Vanilla extract 1 tsp
Marshmallows 2 cups
Heavy cream 1/2 cup
Caramel sauce 1/2 cup
Salt a pinch

Method:
1. Set the oven temperature to 325°F (163°C). Melt the butter and thoroughly mix the graham cracker crumbs in a medium-sized bowl. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. After ten minutes of baking, remove and allow to cool.
2. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling by combining the sugar and softened cream cheese in a sizable mixing bowl and beating until creamy. One egg at a time, add them and stir thoroughly after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and stir.
3. To make the marshmallow mixture, put the marshmallows and heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir regularly until the marshmallows melt fully and become smooth. Let cool a little.
4. Take care not to overmix as you gently fold the marshmallow mixture into the cream cheese filling. Over the crust that has cooled, spread half of the cheesecake filling. Swirl the filling with a knife after drizzling half of the caramel sauce over it. Proceed with the leftover caramel sauce and cheesecake filling.
5. The cheesecake should be baked for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the borders are gently browned and the centre is set. After turning off the oven, let the cheesecake inside for an hour with the door slightly open.
6. Place the cheesecake in the refrigerator for four hours or overnight. Garnish with extra marshmallows and a thin coat of caramel sauce just before serving.

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Is eating Marshmallows healthy?
While these dishes looked loaded with goodness and sweetness, many people who are health conscious may often be hesitant to indulge in these treats. Primarily made from sugar, one may often feel dissuaded from enjoying marshmallows and the different dishes made out of it. So, is it healthy to eat marshmallows?

Dr. Monal Velangi, senior dietitian, Dept of Nutrition and Dietetics, K J Somaiya Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, says marshmallows are a complete sugar-based treat. She explains, "Being full of white sugar, it can't be categorised as healthy food. White sugar has been shown to have harmful effects in body in latest research. Time and again we know, that extremely high sugar content is not good for health, as its overconsumption may lead to obesity and related non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart diseases."

Since it doesn't particularly have any health benefits and is purely an indulgence, Velangi says it should be had in moderation. Being popular among kids and adults during festivities, get-togethers and parties. She further explains, "Marshmallows have sugar, which has this addictive craving property, it is easy to develop a liking and addiction to marshmallows and thus difficult to stop at one."

Due to high sugar content, the Mumbai-based dietitian says people with health concerns should avoid it completely. In the case of healthy people, it is best to not eat it to prevent diseases. She adds, "The only place it may help, is if a person is hypoglycemic (low blood sugar), a single piece may shoot the blood glucose up. However, it is not a recommended food to go for as there are other better options." Additionally, she says people who do not consume sugar or are advised not to consume gelatin, should definitely not consume marshmallows.