Mocha 'spresso On-The-Go Jello

forget those 5 hour energy drinks that cost a fortune.  make yourself some Espresso jello cups for those inconvenient times you need a pick-me-up.

i love these things...my friends love these things...you will love these things.  i think i've already made about 5 batches and i'll make more tomorrow.

i got this idea from Nicole at The Galley Gourmet.  in the post titled "Sunday Dinner" she had this fabulous photo of Chocolate-layered Espresso Jellies.  her recipe sounds absolutely delicious and a perfect end to a fabulous Sunday Dinner.

i, on the other hand, don't throw too many lavish dinner parties...none, if truth be known, so i came up with this easy Mocha 'spresso On-The-Go idea.  how much fun would it be to whip an espresso shot out of your brown bag lunch?...or pass these out at your next tailgate party?  try this for an afternoon pick-me-up or an after dinner guilt-free treat.  these are pretty guilt-free...just a little shaved dark chocolate never hurt anyone.

MOCHA'SPRESSO JELLO TO GO

idea adapted from Nicole at Galley Gourmet

below are the instructions for the way i have been making it, but of course, there are many many variations.  have fun with it...

makes 4 1/2 cup servings

1 packet of plain gelatin (7g per packet)

1/4 cup cool water

3-4 shots of espresso (equal to 3/4 cup)...HOT-reheat if you have to

1 cup vanilla protein drink (milk would probably work, but the protein drink is creamier, extra flavor, less calorie and low carb...Muscle Milk or Pure Protein are good)

sweetener to taste

(a splash of no sugar Hazelnut or Irish Cream sweetener is great.  i use Davinci's)

dark chocolate bar for shavings

NOTE...whatever espresso/protein drink/milk/water combo you use your goal is to end up with 2 cups of liquid. this can be like a straight up espresso shot or a flavored latte.  you want the liquid to taste as you would a favorite coffee/espresso drink, but a little more rich.  most friends liked the one with a little more latte flavor, but the straight up espresso was brilliant, if ya ask me...

pour 1/4 cup cool liquid (milk, protein drink, water) into a 2 cup pyrex measure.  add the gelatin packet and let the gelatin bloom for about 5-10 minutes.  stir it so that it doesn't clump up.  if it clumps, use a fork or spoon to mash clumps...a few little clumps are okay.  

pour your hot espresso into this gelatin mixture and stir until the gelatin has completely dissolved.  do a taste test...is it sweet enough?...remember this is a treat.

shave a little chocolate into the vessel of choice.  i got these little toss aways at Smart and Final.  reusable tupperware would be more green of me, but i never get them back and people tend to throw those away. i reuse these as much as possible.

pour the mixture in the cups and refrigerate until firm...takes a few hours

shave some more chocolate on top and you're ready to go...ANYWHERE

A POWERFUL LITTLE PICK-ME-UP TREAT !