Monday, October 31, 2011

Someone to Watch Over Me . . .


I always feel like . . . someone's watching me.  
Oh, silly me, it's just a gaggle of Blueberry-tini Jelly Shots!

Happy Halloween everyone!  Yes, I know . . . Eyeballs.  Again.  We did eyeballs last year, yes.  However one of JSTK's wonderful, adorable followers supplied a tip to make them ever so easy - using blueberries as the "pupil" of each eyeball rather than the "cut and paint" method of days gone by.  That, and there's a fab new Blueberry-tini Jelly Shot recipe to share.  So clearly, eyeballs needed another Halloween go!
  (I already am thinking about eyeball method tweaks for next year, so its fair to say that you, my loves, will have eyeball jelly shots in your collective future for some time to come . . .)  

The recipe came together in a snap.  I am inclined to give credit to the energy and enthusiasm of our little testing group, which included Intern Doug (natch!), artist Heidi Henderson (check out Heidi's work here - it's amazing!), and intrepid photojournalist Bob Crippa from Twin Cities' KARE 11.  We also tested a 50/50 mix of lemonade and blueberry vodka, which was really yummy as well - it just had a bit more bite than the final version, which is a little sweeter and more blueberry-y.

So have a sweet and spooky good time tonight!  I hope you get lots of candy and/or whatever other goodies rock your Halloween world  . . .

XOXOX

Michelle

P.S. I'll be posting a "pretty" version of the Blueberry-tini this week as well!  



Blueberry-tini Jelly Shots (ocular style)

Ingredients:
  • 2/3 cup prepared lemonade (strained to remove solids)
  • 2/3 cup lemon lime soda
  • 3 envelopes Knox gelatin (increase to 3 if using molds)
  • 2/3 cup blueberry vodka (we used Stoli)
  • 15 fresh blueberries
  • Food coloring, in desired “eye” colors

First, prepare a half hemisphere silicon mold with a light application of cooking spray.  (Click here for the mold we used!)  Wipe the mold cavities out with a clean paper towel. This method will leave just the slightest residue, which will help unmold the gelatin without affecting the taste or appearance. Place each mold on a cookie sheet or cooling rack to provide a stable surface for handling.

Combine the lemonade and soda in a small saucepan and sprinkle with the gelatin. Allow the gelatin to soak for a minute or two. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved, about 5 minutes. (Mixture may be a bit foamy, but this will diminish.) Remove from the heat and stir in the vodka.

Pour 1/2 cup of the gelatin mixture a bowl, and tint as desired with the food coloring - this will form the “irises” of the eyeball jelly shots.  Add 1 teaspoon of the tinted mixture into each mold cavity, and drop a blueberry into each.  Meanwhile, set the un-tinted gelatin aside, covered. 

Refrigerate until the tinted gelatin is set, but slightly sticky to the touch.  Remove the mold from the refrigerator.  Top off the molds with the untinted gelatin.  Return the mold to the refrigerator and chill until the eyeballs are fully set, several hours or overnight.  

To serve, unmold, loosen the edges by pulling away from the side of the mold, and pop each jelly shot out.  
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Saturday, October 29, 2011

Vodka Tonic Jelly shots


News flash - a flock of glowing vodka tonic bats is headed your way ! 

We've gone absolutely batty.  Why, you ask?  Well, for starters, these cute little Vodka Tonic Jelly Shot bats would put anyone over the edge!  The best part - no fancy schmancy chemical agents or additives are required for this little trick.  Quinine, the active ingredient in tonic water, naturally glows under black light!  (Oh, the wondrous things one learns on the InterWeb.) 



This photograph was taken offsite, over at Intern Doug's.  Quick survey - let's have a show of hands, please.  How many of you are the least bit surprised that Intern Doug has black lights in his basement?  (Me neither . . . )


I used a Wilton ice cube tray for the bat mold . . . here's the link.  These would be just as groovy set in a pan, and cut into cubes for serving, or set in tiny shot glasses, etc.  The black light is obviously the key component of presentation here!


Enjoy! And XOXOX,

Michelle

P.S. Why, yes, gin would be a lovely substitute for vodka . . . 



Vodka Tonic Jelly Shots

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/3 cups tonic water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 3 envelopes plain Knox gelatin (makes a firm jelly shot for setting in a mold.  Decrease to 2 or 2 1/2 envelopes if using other methods to set, such as loaf pan or mini martini glasses.  An envelope of plain Knox gelatin equals about 2 tsp of gelatin powder.)
  • 2/3 cup vodka (citrus flavored is nice . . .)

First, prepare the silicon molds with a light application of cooking spray.  Then wipe the mold cavities out with a clean paper towel. This method will leave just the slightest residue, which will help unmold the gelatin without affecting the taste or appearance. Place each mold on a cookie sheet or cooling rack to provide a stable surface for handling.

Combine the tonic, citrus juice, and sugar in a small saucepan and sprinkle with the gelatin. Allow the gelatin to soak for a minute or two. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved, about 5 minutes. (Mixture will be very foamy, but this will diminish.) Remove from the heat and stir in the vodka.

Pour the gelatin mixture into the molds, and refrigerate until fully set, several hours or overnight.
To serve, unmold, loosen the edges by pulling away from the side of the mold, and pop each jelly shot out.








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Saturday, October 22, 2011

Candy Corn Jelly Shot Mold


Candy Corn Jelly Shot Mold . . .  sweet mercy . . . so cute, so devour-able!  

Hello!  It's been a while.  Missed you all sooooo much!  Things have been a bit of a whirlwind.  And, unfortunately I accidentally locked Intern Doug in the Test Kitchen pantry on my way out, so he's been indisposed as well.  (Oh, stop - he's absolutely fine - those test kitchen shelves are well stocked to say the least!)  
Assistant Intern James has been AWOL as well, details unknown, apart from his hair being less blue than usual - and I truly don't know if that is a sign of an uptick or a crisis.  However, we are picking up a new intern over the holidays, Intern Max, and am hopeful this will resolve our staffing issues.

Anyway, during my sabbatical, many, many jelly shot thoughts have been thunk about the upcoming Jelly Shot Season, or as it is known in the ROW (rest of world), Halloween.  Last year, we had some fun with cute kid-friendly treats, but this year, I'd love to really do it up right!  Spooky, fun and boozy, that is!  So, in addition to some new recipes, we'll be featuring some twists on old favorites.

We started with a little remix on an old favorite, Candy Corn Jello.  Originally formulated hooch-free, this recipe adapts beautifully to a sweet, flavored vodka.  I would recommend a whipped cream variety (Pinnacle makes a nice one, and I have heard others do as well), as it's probably the closest taste to the tooth-achingly sweet candy inspiration for the jelly shot - but really vanilla, cake flavored, or even a little creme de cacao (clear, please, not the brown tinted!) would be lovely.

Hope you are all well.  I'll be back very soon with a brand new recipe and a bunch of fun remixes!  In the meantime, big, giant, squooshy XOXOX's to you all!

Michelle


Candy Corn Jelly Shot Mold (adult version)

Use a 3 cup mold, or a 9”x9” cake pan for this little guy.  I love a molded jelly shot, its kinda like a punchbowl!  Here’s the mold we used: mini Kugelhopf mold

Prepare the mold by spraying lightly with PAM cooking spray, or wiping each mold cavity with a little vegetable oil.  Follow by wiping the mold with a clean paper towel.  This will leave the slightest reside which will aid in un-molding the gelatin without affecting the taste or appearance.

Begin by preparing the milk layer.

Milk layer

  • 2/3 cup water
  • 2 envelopes Knox gelatin
  • 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz can)
  • 1/3 cup whipped cream flavored vodka
Pour water in a small saucepan, and sprinkle with the gelatin.  Allow to soak for a minute or two.  Heat over low heat until gelatin is dissolved, about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in the sweetened condensed milk.  Next, stir in the vodka. 

Transfer the mixture to a microwave safe bowl.  Spoon 1/2 cup of the condensed milk mixture into the mold.  Set the remaining mixture aside.  (Cover the bowl with the remaining milk mixture with foil and wrap a towel around it to further conserve heat and keep the mixture fluid.)

Place the mold in the refrigerator and chill until set (but slightly sticky when touched), about 30 minutes.

While the milk layer is chilling, prepare the orange layer


Orange Layer

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 envelope Knox gelatin
  • 1 box orange flavored gelatin dessert mix (sugar free dissolves faster!)
  • 1/2 cup whipped cream flavored vodka
Pour water in a small saucepan, and sprinkle with the Knox gelatin.  Allow to soak for a minute or two.  The mixture may be a little thick initially, but will loosen up.  Heat over low heat until plain gelatin is dissolved, about 5 minutes.  Add the orange gelatin dessert mix and stir until fully dissolved.  Remove from heat and stir in the vodka. 

Pour mixture into a small bowl and refrigerate until the mixture has cooled to room temperature - this will probably take 15-20 minutes. 

Ladle gently over the set white layer.  Return the mold to the refrigerator and chill until set (but slightly sticky when touched, about 25 minutes.

When the orange layer is set (but slightly sticky when touched), unwrap the bowl containing the milk gelatin mixture, and stir in a few drops of yellow food coloring.  If the mixture is clumpy, microwave it for 10-15 seconds (make sure it doesn’t get too hot, or it will melt the set gelatin and cook off the alcohol in the vodka).

Gently ladle all of the yellow mixture into the mold, over the set orange layer.  Refrigerate until fully set – at least  6 hours, or ideally overnight, so the layers can fully bond. 

To serve, unmold and place on a pretty plate.  Visit our tips page for unmolding instructions!  (If you are using a cake pan, just cut into desired shapes.  Ideally, cut just before serving – the taste of the jelly shots will evaporate through the cut edges.  I don’t know why, but this does seem to be the case!)  
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Friday, August 26, 2011

Fire Breathing Dragons . . .


It's a little bit Spicy, it's a little bit Sweet . . . its Marie Osmond a Fire Breathing Dragon Jelly Shot!

Hello at long last.  I hope you all aren't too cross with me for lack of posting - have missed all of you terribly.  I was hoping to pin my lack of posting on Intern Doug and his maniacal-ly chaotic ways, but that would be wrong, wouldn't it?  Isn't that how things go in Corporate America?  Praise moves up the chain, and blame goes down?  Or do I have that wrong.  Oh well.


To depart for a moment from my limited grasp of corporate lore and vernacular (as well as my inappropriate, incorrect and unforgivable blame-shifting to staff), I thought I would share a little Miami-glam gem whipped up for the Miami New Times (click here for the full article).  Its a little bit sweet, and little bit SPICY - just like Intern Doug.  (Just kidding Doug!  We all know that you are a very dedicated and talented gelatin professional, and I for one greatly enjoyed your solo posts - the recipes and photos were divine!)  

Hope you all enjoy the Fire Breathing Dragon!  I am thinking that one could use jalapeno vodka in this recipe, and omit infusing with fresh jalapeno, however weighing the cost of a pepper versus a bottle (not to mention the shelf space) infusing seemed the way to go.

Cheers and XOXOXOX,

Michelle

P.S.  Cake Month I promised, and Cake Month you shall have.  New recipes to follow next week!  XO.


Fire Breathing Dragon (inspired by the Doraku restaurant cocktail in South Beach, FL)
The recipe below uses a standard non-reactive glass or metal loaf pan (about 4" x 8").  Click here (under Ensuring a Good Impression) for instructions on silicone molds!
  • 2/3 cup mango vodka
  • 1/8 inch thick slice of fresh jalapeno pepper (with seeds)
  • 2/3 cup mango juice blend (used Ceres)
  • 2 envelopes plain gelatin
  • 2/3 cup peach schnapps

In a mixing glass, lightly muddle the jalapeno with the vodka.  Set aside.

Pour the mango juice into a saucepan and sprinkle with the gelatin.  Allow to soak for a minute or two.  Heat on low, stirring constantly, until the gelatin is dissolved (about 5 minutes).  Remove from heat.

Strain the vodka through thoroughly to remove any seeds, and add to the gelatin mixture with the schnapps.  Stir well. 

Pour into loaf pan or molds.  Refrigerate until fully set (several hours or overnight).  To serve, cut into desired shapes (or unmold).  Pin an orchid behind your ear and enjoy a jelly shot!
  
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Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Summer Ginger Smash


Summer Ginger Smash - the best cocktail ingredients, including fancy rum and 
maraschino liqueur, held together with the barest smattering of mixers.  

I am away this week, so Intern Doug is manning the Test Kitchen solo . . . or so I thought.  Apparently, Intern Doug has been doing some hiring in my absence!  I was not sure whether to be proud of his initiative or frightened by his bold staffing moves until I saw Summer Ginger Smash -
the super fab pineapple and rum infused collaboration with new Assistant Intern James!  Well, perhaps its time to slacken Intern Doug's leash a notch.  (Oh, and lest I forget, welcome aboard Asst. Intern James!!)


Thanks guys for the hard work, wonderful recipe and beautiful photo!  (oh, and, Doug, I'll see you in my office upon my return . . .)


XO Michelle


P.S.  The cocktail inspiration for this jelly shot was taken from a recipe in the gorgeous and inspiring

Speakeasy: The Employees Only Guide to Classic Cocktails Reimagined - a book we Love Love Love, and also adore.  



Summer Ginger Smash

A quick word from Intern Doug: I enlisted brand-spanking-new Assistant Intern James to craft this delectable delight.  Finding exactly the right ingredients and quantities for this jelly shot proved to be quite challenging.  However, after much perseverance, we are proud to bring this Ginger Smash recipe to the Jelly Shot Test Kitchen.

Difficulty:  Moderate

Recommended Pan:  1-pound loaf pan (approximately 8” x 4”/20 x 10 cm)

Implements:  Muddler

Ingredients
  • 1/8 cup canned pineapple juice (fresh pineapple juice won’t gel)
  • 1/4 cup Bakers Ultrafine Sugar
  • 12 thin slices of Ginger Root
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 2 envelopes Knox gelatin
  • 1/4 cup Maraschino Liquor
  • 1/4 cup Apfel – German Apple Schnapps
  • 3/4 cup 10 Cane Rum
  • Thin sliced Pineapple and crystalized Ginger strips for garnish, if desired (recipe below)


Cut 12 thin slices of ginger root and muddle with 1/4 cup of Maraschino liquor and strain.   Add the Apfel and 10 Can Rum and set aside.  Pour water, canned pineapple juice (fresh won’t gel), lime juice and sugar into a small saucepan and sprinkle with the gelatin. Allow the gelatin to soak for a minute or two. Heat over very low heat until gelatin is dissolved, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.  Add the Maraschino muddled mix, Apfel and Rum and stir into the gelatin mixture. Pour mixture into loaf pan or molds. Place in refrigerator to set (several hours or overnight).

To serve, cut into desired shapes.  Garnish with thin slices of crystallized Ginger strips if desired.

Makes 18 to 24 jelly shots.
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Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Orange Meringue Jelly Shots


The Orange Meringue Jelly Shot, Intern Doug's first solo creation!  
(Bravo, sir . . . three cheers and a TIGER for you!)

This is my first solo blog post! I just love my job. Michelle asked me to create a new Jelly Shot and there is just nothing more satisfying and fun than crafting a medley of ingredients that tastes and looks fabulous. I was especially pleased with how well the Orangecello and Countreau mixed so smoothly and created such a surprisingly deep range of orange flavors.
So here it is. I really hope you enjoy it!

Also, thank you for the wonderful reviews of the Jelly Shot Test Kitchen recipe book on Amazon. The support is appreciated so much!

Intern Doug

Orange Meringue Jelly Shots

Inspired by the much loved Lemon Meringue recipe (found in the JSTK recipe book) and Lemoncello’s sister drink Orangecello.  Combining the orange flavor of Orangecello with Countreau provides a wonderful depth of orange flavor.


Difficulty: Easy

Recommended Pan: 1-pound loaf pan (approximately 8” x 4”/20 x 10 cm)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup orangecello liqueur
  • 1/2 cup citrus-flavored (or Citron) vodka
  • 1/2 cup cointreau
  • 2 envelopes Knox gelatin
  • For garnishment, 1 tsp chopped orange zest combined with 1 tbsp orange sugar, if desired 


Pour the Orangecello into a medium saucepan and sprinkle with gelatin. Allow the gelatin to soak
for a minute or two. Heat over very low heat until gelatin is dissolved, stirring constantly, about 5
minutes. (Take care to use very low heat to avoid overheating the alcohol.) Remove from heat. Add
the couintreau and the vodka and stir into the gelatin mixture. Pour mixture into loaf pan or molds.
Place in refrigerator to set (several hours or overnight).

To serve, cut into desired shapes. Garnish with the orange zest/sugar mixture if
desired.

Makes 18 to 24 jelly shots.
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Thursday, June 30, 2011

Fruited Champagne Jelly Shot



Fruited Champagne Jelly Mold simply SHRIEKS patriotic fervor -
 in the subtlest, most dignified manner imaginable . .  .

So, the second July 4th Party is a bit of a fancier affair.  Not that the variegated display of gelatinized patriotism concocted for Party #1 would  be un-welcome at this event.  We just wish to pull out our culinary stops in a somewhat more restrained manner
, as the guest of honor will be none other than the supremely dashing Mr. M., who has taken leave of his large, shaded patio in the south of France for an all-too-brief visit to the Midwest.

Fruited Champagne Jelly Mold should be perfect - sounds kinda sophisticated, is light and refreshing for a hot afternoon, and is not, too too boozy (important for this event as the champagne will likely be flowing and Intern Doug will be shaking and pouring French 75s until his arms seize up.)  The internal garnish of fruit (red berries! blueberries!) provides venue for a discreet display of nationalist pride, without bonking anyone over the head with such.

Happy 4th of July everyone!!  Wherever you are, enjoy the fireworks, and have a jelly shot for goodness sake!  (And welcome back to the prairie Mr. M. - it has been far too long and we have missed you terribly!!)

XOXOX

Michelle


Fruited Champagne Jelly Shot Mold

Implements:  3 cup non-stick mini-bundt pan (this is the one I used)

Ingredients:
  • 3 cups champagne, sparkling wine or prosecco (divided)
  • 4 tbsp. sugar
  • 4 envelopes Knox gelatin
  • 1/2 cup peach schnapps
  • 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
  • 8-10 large strawberries, sliced

Lightly spray bundt pan with cooking spray.  Wipe off the excess with a paper towel.  A slight residue should remain, just enough to help unmold your gelatin, without affecting the taste or appearance.

Pour 1 cup of the champagne and the sugar into a medium saucepan.   Sprinkle with the gelatin allow to soak for a minute or two. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the gelatin is dissolved (about 5 minutes).  Remove from heat.  Stir in the rest of the champagne and the schnapps.

Pour 1 1/2 cups of the gelatin mixture into the prepared mold.  Refrigerate until the gelatin is the consistency of egg whites (15 to 20 minutes).  Stir in the blueberries and return to the refrigerator for 5 minutes.  Place the sliced strawberries on top of the blueberry/gelatin layer, pouring a bit of liquid gelatin in over each layer, until the mold is full.  (You may have a bit of gelatin left over.)  Refrigerate until fully set (several hours or overnight).

To unmold, fill a larger container or clean sink with warm water (not too hot!).  With clean fingers, loosen the gelatin around the edges of the mold.  Next, dip the mold almost to the edge into the warm water for 10 seconds. Dry the bottom of the mold with a towel.  Place your serving plate on top of the mold and invert.  The gelatin should pop out.  If not, return the mold to the warm water bath and repeat.  

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Friday, April 22, 2011

Easter Egg Jelly Shooters

Easter Egg Jelly Shooters with a floral jelly shot accents - a woefully 
inappropriate but extremely fun way to celebrate the holiday!

I was on the fence about creating an Easter-themed jelly shot, admittedly feeling a bit squeamish about the propriety of promoting boozy gelatin on religious holidays.  Intern Doug, on the other hand is falls on the libertine side when it comes to "spirited matters", and not surprisingly strongly condoned throwing caution to the wind . . .
So whatever your reaction to today's post, you have Intern Doug to thank!  (Note: those with firm views against gelatin cocktails on religious holidays may think of these as Springtime Jelly Shooters.)  Despite my initial misgivings, I must admit these shooters were fun to make, and tasted DELICIOUS!!  Full steam ahead to Inappropriate-ville!

The shooters are based on a classic rainbow gelatin mold recipe.  The technique is admittedly a bit fussy and time consuming, but the results are gorgeous.  The gelatin is spiked with Malibu Rum (for my lovely sister in law, Amy, who is an avid consumer of the spirit !).  A flavored vodka would also be nice in this jelly shot, but the Malibu is perfect here - the finished jelly shooters remind me of the Easter egg candies I loved as a child.  Maybe you remember them too? Thick candy shell with an interior that tastes like those orange "circus peanut" candies - not quite a nougat and not quite a marshmallow.

To set the jelly shots, I used two Wilton brownie pop molds and a standard loaf pan.   The centers of the jelly shot flowers are large cake decorating confetti pieces.

Happy Easter everyone!  Hope you enjoy the Easter Egg Jelly Shooters (aka Springtime Jelly Shooters)!

XO, Michelle


Easter Egg Jelly Shooters
16 servings

  • 2 1/4 cups boiling water, divided
  • 3 (85 g) packages gelatin dessert mix (your favorite flavors – I used lime, pineapple and grape)
  • 1 1/2 envelopes plain Knox gelatin (3 teaspoons of gelatin powder total)
  • 1 1/2 cups Malibu rum, divided
  • 9 tbsp coconut milk, divided

Directions:

Make this a day ahead of your event!  Needs time in the fridge for the layers to bond!  
Prep Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 3 1/2 hrs

Place the bottle of Malibu in the freezer for several hours before beginning this recipe, to ensure potency!

Lightly spray two Wilton brownie pop molds and a standard 1 lb loaf pan (or one 9 x 9 glass or non-reactive metal pan) with non stick spray.  Wipe off the excess spray with a paper towel.  A slight residue should remain, just enough to help unmold your gelatin, without affecting the taste or appearance. 

Pour 3/4 cup water into a saucepan and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of the plain gelatin.  Allow to soak for a minute or two.  Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin is dissolved (about 5 minutes).  Wisk in the first package of flavored gelatin.  Whisk for at least 2 minutes, or until completely dissolved.  (I find the sugar free mix dissolves much faster than the regular!). 

Remove from heat.  Add 1/2 cup ice cold rum, and stir to combine. 

Pour 3/4 cup of the gelatin mixture into a separate bowl, and spoon 1 1/2 teaspoons of the gelatin into each mold cavity.  Pour the remainder in the loaf pan.  Refrigerate about 15 minutes or until set but not firm. (It should stick to finger when touched - don't let it set longer, or the layers won't bind well.).  For an angled layered egg, prop one side of the mold up with a small pudding or yogurt container for layers 1 through 5 – for the last layer, the mold should lay flat. 

Refrigerate the remaining gelatin mixture in bowl about 5 minutes or until slightly thickened (consistency of unbeaten egg whites). Gradually stir in 3 tablespoons of the coconut milk and stir until well blended.  (This cooling step is really important – the gelatin must be cooled to room temperature before adding on top of other layers, or the layers will not be well defined!) 

Gently spoon over set gelatin in the molds and pan – 1 1/2 teaspoons in each mold cavity and pour the remainder in the loaf pan.

Refrigerate about 15 minutes or until gelatin is set but not firm (Again, it should stick to finger when touched.)

Repeat steps with remaining gelatin flavors, for a total of 6 alternating clear and creamy gelatin layers.

After completing all the layers, refrigerate the gelatin overnight.  For best results, unmold the egg shapes onto a nonstick cookie sheet just before serving. To unmold the "eggs" fill a larger container or clean sink with warm water (not too hot!).  With clean fingers, loosen the gelatin around the edges of the mold cavities.  Next, dip the mold almost to the edge into the warm water for just a few seconds (5 seconds worked for me). Wipe off the bottom of the mold with a towel and check the edges to see if they are loose, if not, repeat the dip for just a few seconds. Invert the mold on top of the cookie sheet, and pop out the gelatin eggs.  The gelatin in the loaf pan can be cut into shapes with a cookie cutter or sharp knife.  
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Sunday, April 17, 2011

French Lemonade Redux

Molded French Lemonade Jelly Shot, garnished with fresh raspberries and photographed in the gentle light of dawn by our own Intern Doug . . . 

Its quite apparent that our dear Intern Doug has an interminable amount of energy.  I was still padding about the house in pj pants and slippers this morning, coffee cup in hand, when I received an image of Heidi (so sorry ladies, but Heidi is Intern Doug's adorable wife . . .) next to a large, molded French Lemonade Jelly Shot, with the caption "photos from this morning".

Intern Doug also sent some very intriguing images of a jelly shot he called the "Melon Special", which we will examine at a later date.  (Not to tease, but he literally hasn't yet shared the details with me.)

Click here for the recipe for French Lemonade Jelly Shot, created last year for Edina Magazine.

Say tuned for a new recipe on the JSTK blog mid-week! (Those of you longing for a dessert style jelly shot will be pleased!)

Cheers and XO,

Michelle
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Sunday, April 10, 2011

Intern Doug's First Solo Flight . . .

Hello again . . . at long long last!  Thanks for your messages and notes while I was away, and apologies to those of you who stopped at JSTK over the last several weeks and were disappointed due to the lack of new posts.  (I MISSED YOU TOO!!!   Lots and lots . . . TONS upon TONS . . you have no idea!)  At any rate, I'm back with lots of new recipe ideas, and will begin posting them in the next week or so (timing naturally depends on the success of the initial trials of these new recipes).

Well, JSTK has not exactly been shuttered in my absence.  While I was away, Intern Doug sallied forth with his first solo jelly shot venture: a batch of Mandarin Cosmo Jelly Shots (click for recipe); start to finish; with no adult supervision!  Check out his photo journal:

Intern Doug's Solo Flight

Step 1: Don formal attire and gather the raw materials for Mandarin Cosmo Jelly Shots!

My Mission: Mandarin Cosmo Jelly Shots

Official Jelly Shot Test Kitchen formal wear . . . 

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