Description
Barefoot Contessa Tomato Aspic brings classic Southern charm to your table with a retro gelatin masterpiece. Elegant layers of tomato, herbs, and spices create a refreshing appetizer that whisks you back to mid-century dinner parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 24 ounces (680 grams) canned tomato juice
- 2 envelopes (1 ½ tablespoons) unflavored powdered gelatin
Seasonings and Flavoring Ingredients:
- ½ tablespoon dark brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon kosher salt
- ½ tablespoon ground pickling spices
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Vegetable and Garnish Ingredients:
- Vegetable oil, for brushing
- ½ small onion, minced
- ½ small green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 small celery ribs, finely chopped
- Sliced hard-boiled eggs, for serving
- Steamed asparagus, for serving
Instructions
- Hydrate gelatin by sprinkling it over half a cup (120 milliliters) of tomato juice in a spacious mixing vessel, allowing it to bloom for approximately 5 minutes.
- Create a flavor base by combining remaining tomato juice, granulated sugar, kosher salt, ground pickling spices, Louisiana-style hot sauce, freshly grated lemon zest, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Gently warm the liquid without reaching a boiling point.
- Incorporate the bloomed gelatin into the warm liquid, stirring diligently until completely dissolved and thoroughly integrated.
- Transfer the seasoned tomato liquid to a large mixing bowl and refrigerate for roughly 60 minutes, allowing it to cool and slightly thicken but not completely set.
- Prepare individual serving vessels by lightly coating eight 1/2-cup (120 milliliters) ramekins with a thin layer of olive oil or vegetable oil.
- Fold finely diced white onion, minced green bell pepper, and chopped celery into the partially chilled tomato mixture.
- Carefully distribute the seasoned tomato gelatin mixture among the prepared ramekins, ensuring even filling.
- Chill the filled ramekins in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours until completely set and firm to the touch.
- To serve, briefly dip each ramekin in warm water and invert onto serving plates. Accompany with sliced hard-boiled eggs and steamed asparagus spears.
Notes
- Can be prepared days in advance, reducing day-of cooking stress and complexity.
- Offers a unique alternative to traditional salads with its smooth, sophisticated texture.
- Requires minimal cooking skills but produces an impressive, restaurant-quality result.
- Excellent for summer gatherings, picnics, or elegant brunch presentations.
- Easily customizable by adjusting spices or adding different vegetable mix-ins.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 37
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 295 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg