Video: Unarmed Media
Jello, LEGO and booze are three things that we hold near and dear to our hearts, so when we saw a chance to combine them and create the trifecta known as the vegetarian LEGO “jello” shot, we knew we had to seize it. As you might know, jello is actually not vegetarian because it’s made from gelatin, which contains the skin, bones, and connective tissue of cows and other animals. So we decided to use agar agar–a vegan gelling agent derived from seaweed–for our recipe. That means you can guiltlessly serve these fun edible LEGO minifigs to your vegetarian friends, and you can also leave the liquor out if any of your guests are children (or teetotalers). The recipe is easy – read on for the step-by-step tutorial!
INGREDIENTS FOR LEGO JELLO SHOT MINIFIGS
(This recipe makes 8-10 minifigs, so you might want to double or triple it depending on how wild you want your party to be)
– 1/2 teaspoon of agar agar powder (get it here)
– 1 cup of fruit juice of your choice (depending on what color you want your minifigs to be)
– a saucepan and a stove
– cut up pieces of fruit like mango or strawberries (optional)
– mini heart-shaped cookie cutters (optional)
– 1/2 cup of tequila or vodka (optional)
– silicone minifig molds
STEP 1: Gather your molds and ingredients
First, make sure that your molds are clean (agar agar doesn’t like grease) and that all of your ingredients are at room temperature.
STEP 2: Cut “hearts” out of fruit
If you’re using fruit, we recommend cutting it into little heart shapes using cookie cutters. Then place the fruit hearts in the “heart” area of your minifig molds while you heat up your vegetarian jello mixture.
STEP 3: Start preparing your agar agar mixture
Add 1/2 of your fruit juice to a small saucepan. Sprinkle with agar agar. Allow to soak for five minutes.
STEP 4: Heat up juice and agar agar
Bring your mixture just to a boil. Reduce to low heat and simmer for 1 to 4 minutes. (When you can see that the agar agar is fully dissolved, it’s done.)
STEP 5: Add your remaining juice
Remove the mixture from the stove. Working quickly, add the remaining half of your juice to the agar agar mixture and stir well.
STEP 6: Now, for the booze
Next, stir in your liquor (if you’re using it).
STEP 7: Start filling your molds
Pour your mixture into your desired mold along with your fruit, and place in the refrigerator to set for about 30 minutes. Overnight is fine as well.
STEP 8: Time to plate!
Take your molds out of the fridge, unmold, and get the party started!
Many thanks to Unarmed Media for making this video for us! Unarmed Media is a New York-based production company specializing in the creation, production and distribution of innovative feature length and short format film and media. Learn more at www.unarmedmedia.com.
