Blood Worms

Mom and I originally found these about a month ago here at the Idea Room. We made them for our Ward's Halloween party and found them to be a disgusting hit. There was an immediate crowd surrounding them as I placed them on the dessert table. And I was a little surprised so many people wanted to try one... They are pretty gross... However, these little guys even talked about them at Bishopric meeting the next morning. They were also a hit at the "Monster Mash" I threw on the 30th. They are pretty easy, and take a little effort and time... but they sure get some of the best reactions... :)

Ingredients:

100 flexible plastic straws{The straws with a bendable neck make the ridges for the most realistic worms.} Place bendable necks of straws at the bottom of the container.

an empty, cleaned 1-quart milk or orange juice carton to hold straws. {tall and skinny is the best. We used a vase and had some trouble getting them out at first... the cardboard would make life so much easier... The straws will fill up to the height of the container, the taller the better.}

1 package (6 ounces) raspberry or grape flavor gelatin
3 envelopes unflavored gelatin
3 cups boiling water
3/4 cup whipping cream
12 to 15 drops green food coloring
waxed paper

Directions:
1. Combine gelatins in a bowl and add boiling water; stir until gelatins completely dissolve.{important note: add water to gelatins... not the other way around... it doesn't work so well the other way...}
2. Chill until lukewarm, about 20 min.
3. Pull straws to extend to full length; place in tall container. Wrap together with a loose rubber band to hold straws together.
4. Blend cream and food coloring with the lukewarm gelatin mixture.
5. Carefully pour into container, filling straws. {it doesn't really matter where you pour as they will all equal out.}
6. Chill until gelatin is firm, at least 8 hours, or cover and chill up to 2 days.

7. Pull straws from container or, if you're using a carton, simply tear the carton away from the filled straws. Pull straws apart.
8. Run hot tap water for about 2 seconds over 3 to 4 straws at a time. Starting at the empty ends, push worms from straws with rolling pin, or use your fingers.
9. Lay worms on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Cover and chill until ready to use, at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.

Worms will hold at room temperature for about 2 hours.