Kalakaua

Named after Hawaii’s last king, this retro Jello mold is brilliantly simple: drain a can of pineapple rings, dissolve lime gelatin in boiling water, pour it right back into the can over the fruit, and chill. Three hours later you’ve got a bright green cylinder with perfectly spaced pineapple rings suspended inside.

The can itself is your mold, which means zero cleanup and a shape that slices into perfect rounds. To unmold, just dip the can in hot water for a few seconds, cut out the bottom, and push the whole thing out. It slides right onto a plate looking like you spent way more effort than you did.

Chef Tips

• Drain the syrup completely before adding the gelatin. Leftover syrup dilutes the gelatin and the mold won’t set firmly.
• Use only 1 cup of boiling water instead of the package directions (which usually call for 2 cups). Less water means a firmer set that holds its shape when unmolded.
• Chill for a full 3 hours minimum. Rushing it gives you a wobbly mold that collapses on the plate.
• Dip the can in hot water for just 5 to 10 seconds. Too long and the outer layer melts and loses detail.

Variations

• Try strawberry or orange Jello for different color and flavor combinations with the pineapple.
• Layer two different Jello flavors by pouring half, chilling until set, then adding the second color.
• Serve slices on a bed of lettuce with a dollop of whipped cream for a classic retro salad presentation.