The Jell-o Project: Mimosa Mold

Spring is in the air and Jell-o was on sale for a dollar a box. If that isn't the formula for Jell-o inspiration, I don't know what is.

Oh, wait, what about this?

It's a book of all my Jell-o Project blog posts to date. Robert was pretty excited when he saw my book and suggested I get it published. "I just did," I told him, holding up my evidence. "There was a print run of one." (Seriously though, if anyone wants to publish it for reals, call me!)

So, I pulled out Jell-o Collection, my newest and only Jell-o recipe book, and decided to make Mimosa Mold. 

1 1/2 cups boiling water

1 (8 serving size) package of sparkling white grape or lemon Jell-o

2 cups cold seltzer or club soda

1 can mandarin oranges

1 cup sliced strawberries

Directions: Stir boiling water into gelatin in large bowl at least 2 minutes or until completely dissolved. Refrigerate 15 minutes. Gently stir in seltzer. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until slightly thickened. Gently stir about 15 seconds. Stir in oranges and strawberries. Pour into molds. Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm. Unmold and garnish as desired.

The reactions to the second installment of The Jell-o Project were positive.

Ethan was the least enthusiastic, but found a way to suck away all the Jell-o while leaving the fruit behind. His method didn't even require a spoon. (That's right girl's. He's 14) He was ecstatic. 

Isaac mostly ate his Jell-o salad, but said he didn't like it. "But I ate one of each fruit," he offered.

Robert said, "This is really good," which is more than I could have ever expected him to say and it thrilled me to no end. He even pondered how he might bring some to work for lunch, but gave up on the idea after he couldn't find a suitable container.

Jonah. Oh sweet, sweet Jonah. He was the one who offered the prayer on our meal tonight, part of which--and I'm not making this up--included the phrase, "Thank-you Heavenly Father, that Mom made Jell-o for dinner tonight." After eating the Jell-o he declared, "Mom, this is delicious."

I have to admit, it was yummy. The club soda really added a fun kick and the fresh strawberries and mandarins were delicious. I thought the very fact that they were NOT crushed pineapple would have elicited more of a favorable response from Ethan, but even though he will eat a regular fruit salad with cut up strawberries and mandarin oranges, he would not eat the fruit surrounded by the club soda spiked Jell-o.

It doesn't matter.

I'm back!