Fruit Jello Slices

My boys love jello.  There's something about food that wiggles which makes them happy.  And if you add an extra package of unflavored gelatin, the result is firm enough to cut into funny shapes.  Below are kid-friendly versions of the "jello shots" traditionally filled with vodka: non-alcoholic jello slices with fresh, pureed fruit.  You can also skip the blender and make jello straight from the mix.  This is a surprisingly easy recipe... especially for moms who are short on time and lacking in culinary talent (like me)!

Ingredients:

1 package of 3 oz. watermelon flavored Jell-O

1 package of 3 oz. lime flavored Jell-O

1 package of 3 oz. orange flavored Jell-O

1 package of 3 oz. pineapple flavored Jell-O

1 package of 3 oz. lemon flavored Jell-O 

5 packages Knox unflavored gelatin

5 cups boiling water 

4 cups cold water

1 cup chopped strawberries

1 cup chopped canteloupe

1 small watermelon

2 large oranges

8 limes

4 lemons

1 pineapple

Black licorice chews, sliced to resemble seeds

To make watermelon slices:

1. Cut watermelon in half and hollow out the inside.

2. Puree strawberries.

3. Mix in 1/2 cup cold water and blend until liquefied.  Strain to remove seeds and fruit pulp.

4. In separate bowl, combine 1 package of watermelon flavored Jell-O powder and 1 package of unflavored gelatin into 1 cup of boiling water.  Stir well.

5. Add 1 cup strawberry juice to mixture and stir well.

6. Pour mixture into halved watermelons, and skim off any foam.

7. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours, or until firm.

8. Once gelatin is firm, cut fruit molds into slices.

9. Add sliced licorice pieces.

To make orange slices:

1. Cut oranges in half and hollow out the insides.

2. Puree canteloupe.

3. Mix in 1/2 cup cold water to puree and blend until liquefied.  Strain to remove pulp.

4. In separate bowl, combine 1 package of orange flavored Jell-O powder and 1 package of unflavored gelatin into 1 cup of boiling water.  Stir well.

5. Add 1 cup canteloupe juice to Jell-O mixture and stir well.

6. Pour mixture into halved oranges, and skim off any foam.

7. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours, or until firm.

8. Once gelatin is firm, cut fruit molds into slices.

To make lemon slices:

1. Cut lemons in half and hollow out the insides.

2. Combine 1 package of lemon flavored Jell-O powder and 1 package of unflavored gelatin into 1 cup of boiling water.  Stir well.

3. Add 1 cup of cold water and stir.

4. Pour mixture into halved lemons and refrigerate for 4-6 hours, or until firm.

5. Once gelatin is firm, cut fruit molds into slices.

To make lime slices:

1. Cut limes in half and hollow out the insides.

2. Combine 1 package of lime flavored Jell-O powder and 1 package of unflavored gelatin into 1 cup of boiling water.  Stir well.

3. Add 1 cup of cold water and stir.

4. Pour mixture into halved limes and refrigerate for 4-6 hours, or until firm.

5. Once gelatin is firm, cut fruit molds into slices.

To make pineapple slices:

1. Cut pineapple top off and hollow out the inside.

2. Cook pineapple shell in boiling water for a few minutes, and remove.  Let dry.  (The boiling process destroys the proteolytic enzymes in fresh pineapple, that otherwise break down the proteins required for gelatin to solidify.)   

3. In separate bowl, combine 1 package of pineapple flavored Jell-O powder and 1 package of unflavored gelatin into 1 cup of boiling water.  Stir well.

4. Add 1 cup cold water to Jell-O mixture and stir well.

5. Pour mixture into pineapple and refrigerate for 4-6 hours, or until firm.

7. Once gelatin is firm, cut fruit molds into slices.