COFFEE JELLY WITH ICE CREAM

Before you scrunch your noses at my blog entry title, bear with me.  This dessert tastes just like the classic Italian dessert, Affogato, where you pour a shot of espresso over a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

So I was on the phone this morning with my girlfriend, Maggie, and she was so excited to tell me that her new favorite snack is Jello.  Yes, Maggie is over 18.  

I can't remember the last time I had Jello (do I capitalize Jello??).  Even a Jello shot.  She was going on about how you can put bits of whatever fruit you want into the Jello.  I told her that when I was living in Tokyo, Starbucks sold this seasonal summer drink that contained bits of coffee Jello in iced coffee, sort of how boba made it's way into milky tea drinks.  It was like a zero calorie dessert in your coffee!

So I got this idea in my head: With just 3 ingredients plus ice cream, I was going to make a version of the Starbucks drink and Affogato for an afternoon treat.

3 cups strong coffee or espresso (I ordered a Venti Americano plus 2 extra shots)

2 packets unflavored Knox Gelatin 

2 Tbsp. sugar

Vanilla Ice Cream

Dissolve sugar and both packets of gelatin into piping hot coffee.  Pour coffee into an 8x8x2 or similar sized dish.  Place in refrigerator for about 3 hours so mixture can cool and firm.  When jello has set, using a knife, carefully cut lines into mixture to create mini jello cubes.  Take a spatula and gently scoop the cubes into a bowl.  Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and voila, a tasty treat!

M