Bubbly Bubbles

It's New Year's Eve! Time for breakable resolutions and champagne. My over-achieving friends have decided to have a party. By the time I confirmed my other half and I could go, they had already firmed up a knock out menu. Hot taco dip, pigs in a blanket, turkey pinwheels, spinach artichoke dip, cupcakes with champagne frosting (courtesy of jay.mariah creations), wine, tequila, Mt. Dew, Pepsi, and Apples to Apples.  With a spread like that, what's a girl to do? Paper plates - boring. Fruit and veggie tray - easy. Champagne Jell-O shots? Now we're talking!

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Bubbly Bubbles

Ingredients:
1 (3 oz.) box Island Pineapple Jell-O
2 packets unflavored gelatin
1 c. pineapple juice
1 2/3 c. Cook's spumanti champagne
Pam cooking spray

Tools:
Plastic or silicone molds
Small saucepan
Medium bowl
Stirring spoon
Sharp paring knife





1. Spray molds with Pam and wipe excess with a napkin.

2. Put pineapple Jell-O in a medium size bowl. Set aside.

3. Sprinkle unflavored gelatin over fruit juice in a small saucepan. Let stand 1 minute.

4. Stir over low heat 2-3 minutes until gelatin granules completely dissolve.

5. Add liquid mixture to dry pineapple Jell-O and stir until dissolved.

6. Gently stir in champagne. It will create a frothy foam. Go ahead and use it in the molds. It won't hurt!

7. Pour into prepared molds and refrigerate until firm (about 3 hours).

8. Use a paring knife to cut around the mold to help release the Jell-O.

For the best bubbly experience, serve the same day.

Original recipe here.

Dough Boy

I had the pleasure tonight to babysit one of my favorite people - my cousin, Adam. Okay, so he's my cousin once removed for those who are picky about it. Regardless, he's two and adorable. When he comes over, he loves to play with cars, farm animals, and tortures the dog. Today, I decided to do a sensory activity with him and, thanks to the wonderful world of Pinterest, I found a homemade Play-doh recipe. I altered it slightly, but here's the original recipe if you'd like to take a gander.

Ingredients:

1 c. flour plus more for kneading

2 Tbsp. salt

2 Tbsp. cream of tartar

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 c. warm water

1 (3 oz.) package Jell-O

In a medium saucepan, mix all ingredients together with a whisk until smooth. Mixture will be liquidy.

On medium heat, constantly stir until thick and the dough easily forms into a ball in the saucepan. The dough will burn easily so make sure you scrape the bottom and sides as you stir.

Sprinkle flour on a cookie sheet. With a non-stick spatula, spread dough over floured tray and allow to cool. When cooled, knead flour until it is play-doh consistency.

I followed the original directions and used wax paper. Never again!

Give to your favorite person and enjoy!