Active Prep Time: 20 to 25 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: (2 hours – for Jell-O to set)
Makes 10 servings (4 ounces each)
(Make 1 day ahead)
Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for “fifth of May”) is a holiday that was created by Mexicans living in California. It is not a Mexican national holiday, but instead, commemorates the Mexican army fighting the French at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862. Although this battle was not a victory for Mexico, Cinco de Mayo symbolizes Mexican heritage and pride.
I’m celebrating this holiday by going to a “fiesta” and contributing these Tabasco Parfaits which combine Tabasco® Spicy Pepper Jelly and the French dessert “parfait”. The pepper jelly's "bite" adds a nice surprise to the strawberry gelatin and overall flavors. My dessert unites Mexico and France – peace at last!
Ingredients:
One 3-ounce box lime Jell-O®
One 3-ounce box strawberry Jello-O®
3 tablespoons Knox® gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
One 10-ounce jar Tabasco® Spicy Pepper Jelly (red label)
One 8-ounce package Cool Whip®, thawed per package directions
10 lime or orange chewy candy wedges (substitute with 10 wedges fresh lime)
Place contents of lime Jell-O in a 1-quart bowl and stir in 1 cup boiling water until Jell-O is dissolved. Add 1 cup cold water and stir; set aside.
Place contents of strawberry Jell-O in a 2 or 3-quart bowl and stir in 1 cup boiling water until Jell-O is dissolved. Add 1 cup cold water and stir; set aside.
Fill 10 glasses or ramekins each with ¼ cup lime Jell-O liquid (glasses or ramekins should look 1/3 full). Place in freezer to set, about 18 to 20 minutes (check after 15 minutes to make sure they do not freeze). Once set, top lime Jell-O with some Cool Whip (to fill the middle third of the glass) and transfer to refrigerator.
In a drinking glass, stir together the Knox gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water; let rest 5 minutes. Stir the gelatin mixture and the spicy Tabasco pepper jelly into the strawberry Jell-O.
Place the bowl with the strawberry Jell-O mixture in freezer to set, about 20 minutes, or until the Jell-O has thickened and looks lumpy (it should not set completely).
Using a 1/4-cup measure, pour the partially set strawberry Jell-O mixture over Cool Whip in each glass, filling it to the rim. Place the parfaits in freezer to set, about 15 minutes; transfer to refrigerator for 1 hour or overnight.
Garnish each parfait with a lime or orange chewy candy wedge.
Note: Tabasco® Spicy Pepper Jelly is available at most supermarkets or online at the Tabasco® Country Store - http://countrystore.tabasco.com.
Text and Photograph © Nancy Real 2011
“Fiesta” theme decoration by © Amsan, Inc.
