Description
Barefoot Contessa tomato aspic merges classic culinary techniques with elegant Southern charm. Cold jellied tomato salad offers refreshing flavors perfect for summer gatherings while showcasing Ina Garten’s signature sophisticated style.
Ingredients
Scale
- 24 oz (680 g) tomato juice, canned
- 2 envelopes (1 ½ tbsps) unflavored powdered gelatin
- ½ tbsp kosher salt
- ½ tbsp ground pickling spices
- ½ tbsp dark brown sugar
- ½ tsp hot sauce
- ½ tsp lemon zest, finely grated
- 1 ½ tbsps lemon juice, fresh
- ½ small onion, minced
- ½ small green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 small celery ribs, finely chopped
- vegetable oil, for brushing
- hard-boiled eggs, sliced (for serving)
- asparagus, steamed (for serving)
Instructions
- Gelatin Activation: Sprinkle gelatin over tomato juice in a large bowl, allowing it to bloom for 5 minutes.
- Flavor Development: Warm tomato juice with sugar, salt, pickling spices, hot sauce, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a saucepan without boiling, creating a rich aromatic base.
- Gelatin Integration: Dissolve bloomed gelatin completely into the warm liquid, whisking until smooth and uniform.
- Cooling Process: Refrigerate the tomato mixture for approximately 1 hour, monitoring consistency until slightly thickened but not fully set.
- Ramekin Preparation: Lightly oil eight ramekins to facilitate smooth release of the aspic.
- Vegetable Incorporation: Gently fold diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery into the partially chilled tomato gelatin mixture, distributing vegetables evenly.
- Molding and Chilling: Fill ramekins with tomato gelatin mixture and refrigerate for 2-3 hours until completely firm and set.
- Serving Technique: Briefly immerse ramekins in warm water, then invert onto serving plates, garnishing with sliced hard-boiled eggs and steamed asparagus spears for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Gelatin Activation: Properly bloom gelatin by sprinkling over cold tomato juice to ensure smooth, lump-free texture and maximum thickening power.
- Flavor Infusion: Warm liquid gently to integrate spices and enhance overall taste without boiling, which can compromise gelatin’s setting ability.
- Chilling Technique: Refrigerate mixture partially to achieve desired consistency – not fully set but slightly thickened for even vegetable distribution.
- Unmolding Trick: Use warm water bath for quick and clean release of aspic from ramekins, ensuring perfect presentation without breaking the delicate gelatin structure.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg