Festive Ice Ring Food

HOLIDAY PUNCH BOWL ICE RING

Steps:

• Clear a spot in your freezer that is level and measures at least 14x14-inches.
• Place maraschino cherries in a pleasing design around the bottom of a 10- to 12-inch gelatin mold. Arrange mint leaves around the cherries, right-sides down (facing out and touching the mold).
• Combine maraschino cherry juice in a bowl with 2 cups water; pour 1/2 inch into the mold on top of cherries and mint, reserve remaining liquid. Place mold in the freezer until partially frozen, about 1 hour.
• Remove mold from the freezer and arrange green and gold kiwis on top of cherries. Use ice cubes and grapes to hold kiwi slices in place. Top with remaining ice and grapes. Carefully fill the mold with remaining water-juice mixture, and add more water as necessary to fill to the top edge of the mold. Place in the freezer until frozen solid, about 24 hours.
• To unmold the ice ring, fill a bowl that is larger than the mold with 1 inch of hot water. Place the mold into the hot water until ice ring separates from the mold, about 1 minute. Transfer ice ring into your punch bowl and serve immediately.

FESTIVE ICE RING

Steps:

• 1. Lightly coat a decorative tube cake pan or gelatin mold with cooking spray; add 1/2 cup of water. Arrange fruit and mint in pan as desired. Freeze until solid. 2. Gently add remaining water; arrange more fruit and mint as desired. Freeze until ready to use. 3. To unmold, wrap bottom of solidly frozen mold in a warm towel until loosened, or dip mold in a pan of warm water. Float ice ring, fruit side up, in a bowl of cold punch.