Drunken Worms

 I've been in the kitchen channeling Alton Brown, a frat brother and my own inner child. As is often the case,  Facebook played a part, reeling me in hook, line and sinker. One of the "friends" linked a photo and recipe for Jello worms, maybe from Pinterest. She vowed to make these worms the next time the grandchildren visited.

Intrigued? You bet I was, but an adult version of this concoction was in order.

Here is my kitchen work and wisdom, should you feel the need to follow my example.

 

First gather your supplies. Bendy straws are required.The unflexed bendy part gives your finished worms that distinctive earthworm bit of anatomy called the clitellum. I suggest looking for wide straws, they unmold a little easier.

You will want a container that holds the straws snugly. A tall, narrow glass is used here. A washed, used orange juice carton holds more straws and works well too.

The recipe:
You will need

The bigger box of raspberry jello

Peach scnapps

Heavy or whip cream 

Peach nectar (found this in the Mexican food aisle of the grocery store)

Knox unflavored gelatin

green food cloring

boiling water

Put it together like this:

1. Start 1 and 1/2 cups of water boiling

2. Sprinkle 1 package gelatin over 1/2 cup peach nectar poured into a nonreactive bowl.

3. Add boiling water, jello powder. Stir until everything is dissolved.

4. Add 3/4 cup cream, stir.

5. Add 1 cup peach schnapps.

6. Add green food coloring to get your desired reddish-brown, wormy coloring

7. Pour into straws, leaving a little room at the top.

Leave a little empty space at the top of your straws. Chill in the refrigerator until set, generally several hours. To unmold, allow the worms to warm a little at room temperature. Grasp the unfilled end between thumb and forefinger. Place the other thumb and forefinger next to the first, with a traveling pinch push the jello worm out the open end, onto some wax paper. After a few tries, you will get the hang of this maneuver and develop your own rhythm.

Put the lovely, unmolded worms back in the fridge to firm up a little, perhaps after tasting a few to check flavor.

Worms could probably be made with any red jello and the alcohol flavor is up for further experimentation.

For extra versatility your worms can also be used to decorate desserts. They are rather tasty.

 

Enjoy in moderation.

Carina