Sunday, January 31, 2010

Lovely Jigglers

This fun and festive treat is a delicious way to layer on the love this Valentine's Day.



3 pkg. (3 oz. each) Cherry Jello
3 packets (.25 oz. each) unflavored gelatin, divided
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. plain or vanilla yogurt
1 1/4 cups white grape juice

1. For Red Layers: bring 2 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Add cherry Jello & 1 packet unflavored gelatin; stir until dissolved. Remove from stove.

2. For Pink Layers: transfer 2/3 cup red gelatin mixture to a bowl and whisk in yogurt.

3. For Clear Layers: Pour grape juice into a bowl. Sprinkle on two packets unflavored gelatin & let stand 5 minutes. Microwave on high for 1 minute, until gelatin has dissolved.

4.Assemble:
  • Pour 2/3 cup red mixture into 8" square baking pan. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes.
  • Top with half of pink mixture, refrigerate 15 minutes.
  • Add half of white mixture, refrigerate 15 minutes.
  • Top with 2/3 cup red mixture, refrigerate 15 minutes.
  • Pour on remaining white mixture, refrigerate 15 minutes.
  • Add remaining pink mixture, refrigerate 15 minutes.
  • Finish with the last 2/3 cup red mixture; refrigerate until completely set, about 2 hours or overnight.

5. Dip bottom of the pan briefly in hot water to loosen. Invert onto a cutting board and use a metal heart-shaped cookie cutter deep enough to cut through entire mold, or cut into 1 1/2" cubes. Makes 25 cubes; the number of hearts will depend on the size of the cookie cutter.



Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Cornbread & Chili Hotdish

This is a baked alternative to chili. But in the interest of full disclosure, this is not Geoff's favorite dish, primarily because of the cornbread. Since the girls and I are big fans of cornbread, you can usually count on the three of us joining the clean plate club when this meal is served.

1 lb. ground beef
15 1/2 oz. kidney beans, drained
14 1/2 oz. Rotel tomatoes
11 oz. corn with red & green bell peppers, drained
8 oz. chunky salsa
1 3/4 oz. pkg. chili seasoning
8 1/2 oz. box corn muffin mix to serve 6
1/2 cup Monetary Jack cheese, shredded
1 cup fresh cilantro, minced (optional)

Heat oven to 400°. Brown ground beef in skillet, drain grease. Stir in kidney beans, tomatoes, corn, salsa & chili seasoning. Simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.

Prepare corn muffin batter to package directions and set aside.

Spoon hot chili into the center of a 2-quart casserole. Spoon cornbread batter around edge of chili. Bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese, and bake an additional 5 minutes, until cheese is melted and cornbread is deeply golden.

Garnish with cilantro if desired.

Good served with chips & salsa.