Grasshopper Dessert

I'm not a picky eater, but there are some things I really can't stand. These foods go on my "will not eat" list.

Do you have a list like this? Foods that you refuse to eat because you find them disgusting?

Well, I already mentioned in this Beer and Pretzel Cookie post that I can't stand beer nor coffee. (Funny thing is that I worked at a coffee shop for 3 years in college and still can't stand the taste of coffee/espresso. Love the smell though!) One of the other two things I can't stand is J-E-L-L-O. Lastly, while I love chocolate and I love mint, I can't stand them together.

So obviously, this dessert is something I avoid like the plague. (Jello's involved as is mint and chocolate!)

However, the rest of my family loves this dessert. I've been meaning to make it for years just to post about it, but I just couldn't bring myself to deal with actually making it.

Thankfully, my mother made it during Thanksgiving week and I happily watched her in the kitchen and took photos.

I was amused and disgusted watching my mom cut the jello. It looks alive!

Transferring the jiggly jello requires a skillful hand.

If you aren't careful, you might end up with a mess. (Yay!)

All my family enjoyed this dessert and I enjoyed taking photos of it. Don't worry. I still got a dessert. My mom had homemade chocolate chip cookies on hand - my fave!

I must admit that when I was a kid I wish that I DID eat this dessert because I loved the glasses my mom served them in. I also loved how festive this dessert is. The green is perfect for Christmas. I'm sure this could be easily turned into red jello as well, but I am definitely not the one to experiment with jello and find out!

Grasshopper Dessert (adapted from my Mom's Best Recipes Cook Book)
Ingredients
1 6-oz lime jello
1/4 C sugar
2 C boiling water
1 1/2 C cold water
1/2 t peppermint extract
2 C Cool Whip

For Topping
chocolate shavings and extra cool whip

Dissolve jello and sugar in boiling water. Add cold water and peppermint extract. Take 1 cup of the jello mixture and chill until slightly thickened. Pour remaining jello mixture into 8-inch square pan and chill until firm. Blend Cool Whip into thickened gelatin mixture. Pour into 8 serving dishes. Chill until firm. Cut the jello in the pan into cubes and place the cubes onto the thickened gelatin. Garnish with Cool Whip and chocolate shavings.

Bake well and prosper!