Recipe: Petite Watermelons (fruit slices using limes and Jell-O)

PETITE WATERMELONS

"If the response you're looking for when you unveil your gelatin is, "Ohhhhh, it's so cute!" this recipe will do it. After seeing these little creations on various foodie blogs around the Web, I was inspired to make my own version of these treats. A sweet strawberry puree encased in a lime rind and sprinkled with tiny black seeds, these tiny watermelon slices will have people fawning over their inherent adorableness (the hard part is getting people to stop gushing and eat them)."

Note: This recipe is best served within a day of preparation, as the lime rinds will make the gelatin bitter if stored for too long.

1 cup boiling water
1 (3 ounce) package strawberry-flavored gelatin
1 cup chopped fresh or frozen and thawed strawberries
1/2 cup cold water (or vodka)
5 limes, halved, pulp scooped out and discarded, and rind halves reserved
1 teaspoon black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or basil seeds

In a bowl, add the 1 cup boiling water to the gelatin and stir until the gelatin is fully dissolved.

Transfer the gelatin to a blender. Add the strawberries and 1/2 cup cold water (or vodka) and blend until liquefied. Refrigerate until thickened.

Skim off any foam that has risen to the top of the gelatin mixture and stir to evenly distribute the strawberry puree. Spoon into the lime rind halves. Refrigerate until firm.

Carefully halve the gelatin-filled lime rinds again. Sprinkle with the seeds and serve.

Makes 20 fruit slices
Source: Hello, Jello! by Victoria Belanger