Roswell Alien Autopsy -- Blueberry and Lime Panna Cotta Recipes for Halloween

Note from Cheri: Most of the recipes I've seen in the past for Halloween gelatin molds have focused on achieving a a certain "color." (Admittedly I have never seen this particular mold before we stumbled across our supplier.) While this might be anatomically correct, trust me, it won't make people want to eat it, regardless of how good it might taste. The infamous Kitty Litter Cake gets the same reaction -- nobody actually wants to eat the darn thing, but it sure is funny. So... I developed this Alien Autopsy recipe more with taste in mind -- although I did kind of go crazy with the food coloring on the lime alien insides (feel free to leave the color out for a more natural and appetizing hue). Click here for more ideas for Halloween Gelatin Molds, including alcoholic versions for adults only.

Blueberry Buttermilk Panna Cotta for Alien Body: 16 ounces frozen blueberries, thawed with juice 1 2/3 cups buttermilk 3 tablespoons unflavored gelatin 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1 cup whole milk, divided 1/2 cup sugar 1/8 cup blueberry syrup* 3/4 teaspoon cardamom (optional) Lime Panna Cotta for Alien Guts: 1 cup whole milk 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1/3 cup lime juice 1/2 cup sugar 1 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin (2 packets) green and yellow food colors fresh berries and whipped cream fro serving

Makes 1 Alien Autopsy Gelatin Mold plus... IMPORTANT PREP NOTES: This recipe is made in two parts. Allow yourself plenty of time, as the first portion must set before you can make the inside (lime) portion. If you;re short on time, make extra blueberry panna cotta, skip the inner portion and simply fill the alien body mold with the blueberry panna cotta. The lime panna cotta portion of this recipe makes enough to fill the inner guts portion of the alien mold, plus a Mini-Brain Gelatin mold (click for details). If you do not have a mini-brain gelatin mold, you can pour the leftovers into individual ramekins and chill until set. For the blueberry syrup you can use blueberry pancake syrup -- available in any grocery store, or an Italian syrup, like those made by Torani or Da Vinci, available in gourmet shops and coffee houses. The recipe works fine without he cardamom, but the spice does add a nice, somewhat exotic, flavor to the finished dish. Prepare Blueberry Buttermilk Panna Cotta for Alien Body Lightly coat the inside of the alien body mold and the outside of the alien guts mold with a thin coat of vegetable oil or cooking spray. Find an oblong pan large enough to hold the alien body mold. Use kitchen towel to prop the body mold, levelly, in the center of the pan. Use the clip that come with the molds to clip the inner guts mold in place within the body mold. Hint: While the clips that come with the mold (the white clips in the photo below) do work, we find ordinary office clip (like the silver ones in the photo) are even easier and more effective). Puree the blueberries and buttermilk in a blender or food processor until very smooth. Pour through a fine mesh sieve to filter out any blueberry skins, discarding the solids. Your should have about 1 1/2 cups liquid. Pour 1/2 cup milk in a bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over. Let stand for about 10 minutes so gelatin can soften. Mix remaining 1/2 cup milk and cream in a heavy, medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over low heat. Stir in sugar and blueberry syrup and stir until sugar is dissolved, about 30 seconds. Stir in milk/gelatin mixture and cook until completely dissolved, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat, pour into a bowl, and whisk in the blueberry buttermilk mixture. Pour the mixture into the outer alien body portion of the prepared mold and chill for at least 6 hours or overnight before preparing lime panna cotta for the alien guts.   Prepare the Lime Panna Cotta for Alien Guts Pour the lime juice in a small bowl and sprinkle gelatin over. Let stand for about 10 minutes so gelatin can soften. Mix milk and cream in a heavy, medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over low heat. Stir in sugar and gelatin mixture and cook until both completely dissolve, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, pour into a bowl, and whisk in the sour cream. Use a few drops of green and yellow food color, or a generous dollop of green and yellow paste color to achieve that Day-Glo look. Allow mixture to cool for at least 15 minutes -- it can be warm, but not hot before proceeding (but don't let it cool so long that it begins to set). Carefully removed chilled alien body from refrigerator. Carefully...remove the alien guts insert from the body, taking care to keep all part in tact -- not as difficult as it sounds Now pour cooled lime panna cotta mixture into the space left by the guts mold. Cover and immediately return the fridge to chill for at least another 6 hours, or overnight. When it comes to unmold, place a large patter over, turn the whole thing over, and unmold alien and guts as one. Your guests will get a surprise when they (or you) cut into the alien (see photos below). Serve with fresh berries and whipped cream. Suggestion: Use 1/2 of this Lime Panna Cotta recipe in our Anatomically Correct Mini-Brain Gelatin Mold!   BUY THE MOLDS! Fabulous Foods Halloween Store Buy Halloween Gelatin molds as well as get everything you need to create professional looking carved pumpkins plus ultra cool Halloween decorations, party accessories and much more. Click here!