A cooking challenge - Tex Mex jello

[Pine Tree]

I have been asked to prepare 'tex-mex' jello for a party, as a challenge to my cooking skills. Anyone have any idea what the heck tex-mex jello could be???!!!! I think they're thinking of it as a side dish ! :eek:

[maggieb]

OMG! That sounds impossible! Let me look around a little...

[maggieb]

Here's one:
Sweet Salsa

1 Recipe either Quick Salsa or Pico de Gallo from above
1 Small box either lemon or lime Jello
After your salsa has begun to cool, mix up the Jello as per package directions. When the Jello has cooled to room temperature, add it to your salsa and mix well and put it in the refrigerator. Check just before it takes the final set to see that all the vegetables are in suspension. If they aren't, stir it and refrigerate until set. This sweet salsa is good with most anything.

not really a side dish, but here's a recipe for Margarits Jell-O shots
Ingredients:
1 large Box Lime Jell-O
2 cups Boiling water
1 1/4 cup Cold water
1/2 cup Tequila
1/4 cup Triple Sec


Directions:

Mix as directed using above ingredients. Pour into small paper cups or in a large pan. Chill as directed. If using pan method, when jello is chilled, cut into small squares.

This recipe for Margarita Jell-O Shots serves/makes 10

[Rico'sAlice]

Found a recipe for "sweet salsa"
http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:Ipa09PK5tGUJ:www.texascooking.com/features/jun99ravenleftovers.htm+%22tex-mex%22+jello&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=7&client=firefox-a

Sweet Salsa

* 1 Recipe either Quick Salsa or Pico de Gallo from above
* 1 Small box either lemon or lime Jello

After your salsa has begun to cool, mix up the Jello as per package directions. When the Jello has cooled to room temperature, add it to your salsa and mix well and put it in the refrigerator. Check just before it takes the final set to see that all the vegetables are in suspension. If they aren't, stir it and refrigerate until set. This sweet salsa is good with most anything.

It just wouldn't be fair to mention sweets without giving a recipe for the famous jalapeño jelly. But before you go to all the trouble of boiling up a batch of your very own, let me caution you that jalapeño jelly is an unusual combination of flavors. You either like it or dislike it -- not much middle ground. If you've never tasted jalapeño jelly, get a small sample jar from your local Tex-Mex supply store.

[jimmysgirl424]

Hmmm....would any of these work??:

Dee's Red Hot Texas Jello

10 oz pkg. Red Hots candy
2 boxes Cherry Jello
3 cups hot water
2 cups applesauce

Melt redhots in hot water, add Jello and when disolved add applesauce. Pour 1/2 or mixture in large baking dish and chill till stiff. THEN
mix: 3 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup chopped celery 1/2 mayonaise
spred this over the cooled Jello! Then add the remaining jello and chill.....YUM...



Tex Mex Party Mold (this could definitely qualify as a 'side dish'!!

1 env unflavored gelatin (1/4 ounce)
3/4 cup milk divided
3 oz cream cheese softened
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1 can diced green chilies (4 oz.)
1 can chopped black olives (4 oz.)
2 tbl chopped cilantro or parsley
1 1/2 tbl lime juice
1 x clove garlic minced
2 tsp ground cumin optional
1/2 x salt

Method :
In a large bowl, sprinkle gelatin over 1/4 cup milk. Let stand one minute. Scald remaining 1/2 cup milk. Stir into gelatin mixture, stirring until gelatin is completely dissolved. Beat in cream cheese until smooth. Stir in sour cream and remaining ingredients. Pour mixture into 3-cup mold. Chill 4 hours or until firm. To unmold, dip bottom of mold in hot water for a few seconds and invert on platter.


Texas Margarita Mousse

Makes 6 servings

2 Tbsp tequila

2 Tbsp orange-flavored liqueur such as Cointreau

1 envelope (1/4-oz.) unflavored gelatin

2/3 C. lime juice

2/3 C. sugar

1/3 C. orange juice

2 tsp. grated lime zest

2/3 C. sour cream

1 1/3 C. heavy cream

Additional whipped cream and lime slices, optional

-----

Place tequila and liqueur in small microwave safe bowl; sprinkle with gelatin.

Let stand 1 minute.

Microwave on High 20-30 seconds or until gelatin dissolves.

In large bowl combine lime juice, sugar, orange juice and zest.

Whisk in gelatin mixture.

Place bowl in larger bowl filled with ice water.

Whisk in sour cream until smooth; let stand, whisking occasionally, until mixture begins to thicken.

Meanwhile, beat cream until soft peaks form.

When lime mixture begins to thicken, fold in whipped cream.

Refrigerate 1 1/2 hours or until mousse mounds when dropped from a spoon.

If desired, coat rims of 6 serving glasses with sugar: Dip rims in saucer of water then dip into decorating sugar.

Evenly divide mousse among glasses or dishes.

Garnish with whipped cream and lime slice, if desired.

[Pine Tree]

Thanks for the help! They helped me to get my creative juices flowing, since I had no idea even how to start. I ended up dicing up an jalapeno very finely, and then cooking it in about 1/4 cup vinegar for a few minutes; and then adding all of that to regular lime jello mix. I have to say . . . it was actually pretty good in a weird spicey lime jello sort of way! I think I might actually make it again.