Thursday, August 7, 2008

Ancient Lore

...as befits a crone, I guess...

I was at dinner last night in a very very fancy venue with a Trusted Henchwoman, and in one of the intervals of henching, we tackled the dessert buffet, upon which we found an array of delights, including a platter of tremulous multi-hued wondrousness. Debate ensued upon the correct nomenclature for this marvel, and from the darkest recesses of my memory (using the term loosely), I dredged -- "That's BROKEN GLASS, that is; alternatively, especially north of the World's Longest Undefended Border, CROWN JEWELS."

And what it is, is, an unconscionable amount of Jell-O.

Herewith the recipe, if you've never had it, or if you've had it and can't remember how it's made.

The book I found it in calls it Mosaic Mold, but that's just WRONG. So pay no attention.

1 3 oz package lime gelatin
1 3 oz. package cherry gelatin
4 cups boiling water
1 cup cold water
1 6 oz package lemon gelatin (NOTE larger package, here)
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup pineapple juice
2 2 oz packages of whipped topping mix.

Make lime and cherry gelatin separately, using 1 cup boiling water and 1/2 cup cold water for each. Pour each flavor into an 8-inch square pan. Chill until firm or overnight. Combine the lemon gelatin, sugar, and remaining 2 cups boiling water; stir until gelatin and sugar are dissolved. Stir in pineapple juice. Chill until SLIGHTLY thickened. Cut the firm gelatins into 1/2 inch cubes. Prepare the whipped topping mix as directed; blend with thickened lemon gelatin. Fold in gelatin cubes. Pour into a 12-cup ring mold or Bundt pan, chill until set; unmold by dipping pan BRIEFLY in warm water; turn out on a dampened plate.
Some folks sprinkle toasted coconut on it. You suit yourself.


I had a nice moment on the way to work this morning. At the coffee-shop drive-thru window, I could see the back of the bakery case, and a note to coffee-shop staff printed on a bit of tape: "PLEASE DATE FOOD." So I said to the bright young lady in the headset, "I like your sign, there; I've been dating food all my life, which is why I look this way," and to my delight it BLEW RIGHT PAST HER. "Oh, it's always a good idea," she said, with a puzzled look on her face. Some days I do love young'uns, bless their clueless hearts.

13 comments:

Auntie Knickers said...

Chuckles! Yup, I've been dating food too. I'm almost tempted to make the Broken Glass/Crown Jewels for my belated birthday party on Sunday.

Fran said...

I once dated some food I met on match.com... the misrepresentation was always the problem.

Mavis said...

Food is a big part of my love life too! The story is great.

Kate Morningstar said...

My Auntie Jill used to do something with an angel food cake, green and orange jello, tinned mandarin oranges and whipped cream, for Christmas dinner mostly. Bliss. Thanks for reminding me, CR!

Evelyn said...

Dating food! I LOVE it! LOL, I think I need to STOP dating food.
Breaking up is hard to do.... sigh

RevDrKate said...

That is just too funny, and I love that the sweet young thing was clueless! They are so literal are they not? Have to make that lovely dessert for the next church do! Another one from the past I had forgotten.

Jim said...

I've been dating food all my life, too. Lately, I've been going steady with Sobey's house brand salad-in-a-bag, which seems to be mitigating the effects, somewhat.

Erin said...

LOL!
what a hoot!

Young Seeker said...

... and as she saw your car cruising off into the sunset, she realized what you were saying, put her palm to her forehead and yelled, "DOH!" :D You are incredibly quick witted :)

Terri said...

Hee hee...dating food...

Now, that mosaic or broken glass dessert had me until the pineapple juice, of which I am allergic...sigh...could use something else I suppose. But actually I will probably just stick with chocolate...

Terri said...

oh, I should have added, Chocolate, with whom I have had a long love affair...and withwhom I am indiscriminate whether it be milk chocolate, dark chocolate, with or with out almonds, or toffee, or fruit...yup, I am totally a promiscuous chocolate dater....

Sue said...

hee hee - that was a good one. Too bad she missed it.

Julie said...

Haahaaahaaa! I love jello and vaguely remember having this particular configuration of it before. Adding coconut is interesting.