Make Something Monday (a little early): Patriotic Gelatin Salad

I just made this for Morgan's birthday party, but it would be great for a Memorial Day BBQ too! (I'm actually posting a little early, just in case someone wants to make it. It works great when it's made the night before!)

Patriotic Gelatin Salad
Be careful to leave enough time for each layer to almost set before adding a new layer. I allow the first couple layers at least 15 more minutes than recommended because they start off warmer.

• 2 packages (3 ounces each) berry blue gelatin
• 2 packages (3 ounces each) strawberry gelatin
• 4 cups boiling water, divided
• 2-1/2 cups cold water, divided
• 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In four separate bowls, dissolve each package of gelatin in 1 cup of boiling water. Add 1/2 cup of cold water to each and stir. Pour one bowl of blue gelatin into and oiled 10-in. fluted tube pan; chill until almost set, about 30 minutes. Set other three bowls of gelatin aside at room temperature. Soften unflavored gelatin in remaining cold water; let stand 5 minutes. Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat just below boiling. Stir in sugar and softened gelatin until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream and vanilla until smooth. When blue gelatin in pan is almost set, carefully spoon 1-1/2 cups sour cream mixture over it. Chill until almost set, about 30 minutes. Carefully spoon one bowl of strawberry gelatin over cream layer. Chill until almost set. Carefully spoon 1-1/2 cups cream mixture over strawberry layer. Chill until almost set. Repeat, adding layers of blue gelatin, cream mixture and strawberry gelatin, chilling in between each. Chill until firm, several hours or overnight. Yield: 16 servings.

The first time I tried making this, it tasted great, but looked miserable! Using the bundt cake pan, then turning it upside down onto a plate, then driving down bumpy roads in the Spring time to make it to the Easter gathering did not do the looks of this salad any favors! The layers all separated and it looked like a disaster. (Luckily it was a family gathering and they all understood.)

The second time I made this, I thought it would be nice to put it in a glass 9x13 pan, so you could see the pretty layers still without dumping it onto a plate for them to separate. That idea may have worked for some, but with our uneven kitchen/refridgerator, all the layers still looked like a mess! (That time it was for a 4th of July party-I don't think anyone cared? LOL!)

All the following times, I've just stuck it in a regular metal 9x13 pan, so all you see is the top until it is cut. At least it looks decent in the beginning! LOL! I actually make it quite often now. I make it for Easter, birthdays, 4th of July and graduation open houses. I've even changed the berry blue layer to lime for the Christmas gatherings. It tends to be a pretty big hit!

I hope everyone is enjoying their Memorial Day weekend! :-)