Classic Summer Delight: Barefoot Contessa’s Retro Tomato Aspic Recipe

Culinary enthusiasts have long celebrated gelatin-based dishes that sparkle with vibrant flavors.

This classic Barefoot Contessa tomato aspic recipe brings a nostalgic touch to any elegant table setting.

Cold and refreshing, the aspic captures summer’s essence in a stunning jewel-toned mold.

Tomatoes blend seamlessly with savory herbs and unexpected spices to create a unique appetizer.

The dish offers a delightful balance between tangy and smooth textures that surprise even seasoned food lovers.

Served chilled and garnished with fresh herbs, this recipe promises to become a conversation starter at your next gathering.

You’ll find this vintage-inspired creation surprisingly simple to master and impressively delicious.

Instructions for Preparing Tomato Aspic à la Contessa

• Gelatin Preparation

Sprinkle gelatin into warm liquid, allowing it to bloom and soften completely.

• Flavor Infusion

Combine vegetable juice with aromatic seasonings in a saucepan, gently simmering to develop rich, complex flavors. Remove whole spices after cooking.

• Vegetable Integration

Fold chopped onions and crisp celery into the seasoned liquid, adding texture and freshness.

• Setting Foundation

Blend the softened gelatin with the spiced vegetable mixture, ensuring smooth incorporation and even distribution.

• Chilling Period

Refrigerate the aspic until it transforms into a firm, jewel-like delicacy with a vibrant, translucent appearance.

Twist Up the Flavor: Tomato Aspic Tips and Ideas

• Spike the tomato aspic with a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick that will wake up your taste buds.
• Dice crisp cucumber or bell peppers into small pieces and fold them into the mixture before chilling for added crunch and freshness.
• Unmold the aspic onto a bed of fresh lettuce leaves and garnish with fresh herbs like dill or parsley to make the dish look stunning and professional.
• Layer thin slices of cooked shrimp or crab meat on top of the aspic for a seafood twist that transforms this classic appetizer into a more substantial starter.
• Prepare the aspic up to two days in advance and store tightly covered in the refrigerator, which allows the flavors to meld and makes party planning a breeze.

Serving Tomato Aspic That Looks as Good as It Tastes

• Pair with Crisp Greens: Serve the tomato aspic on a bed of fresh, crisp lettuce or arugula for a refreshing contrast in texture and temperature.
• Garnish with Zesty Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh chives, dill, or parsley on top to add a bright, herbal note that complements the rich tomato flavor.
• Create a Retro Appetizer Platter: Slice the aspic into elegant cubes and arrange on a vintage serving plate with crackers, cold cuts, and pickled vegetables for a nostalgic 1950s-style appetizer spread.
• Enhance with Tangy Sauce: Drizzle a light, zesty vinaigrette or a dollop of horseradish cream on the side to give an extra kick of flavor to the cool, savory aspic.

How to Store Tomato Aspic for Later

• Chill and Store Smartly: Refrigerate the tomato aspic in an airtight container for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum flavor preservation.
• Slice with Precision: Use a sharp, clean knife dipped in hot water to create clean, neat cuts when serving chilled slices.
• Prevent Flavor Absorption: Cover the aspic tightly to prevent it from absorbing other refrigerator odors that could compromise its delicate taste.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: While best fresh, you can freeze the aspic for up to 2 weeks, though the texture might slightly change upon thawing – ideal for make-ahead meal planning.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 40 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredient Guide for Barefoot Contessa Tomato Aspic

• Unflavored Gelatin: Provides the jiggly, firm structure that holds the aspic together, choose a high-quality brand for consistent results.
• Hot Water: Activates and dissolves the gelatin, ensuring a smooth, lump-free base.

• Vegetable Juice: Creates the rich, savory foundation of the aspic, select a premium, low-sodium option for balanced taste.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth and umami complexity, opt for a traditional, aged variety.
• Whole Cloves: Infuse a warm, aromatic note to the liquid, use fresh, fragrant cloves for maximum impact.
• Bay Leaf: Introduces a subtle herbal undertone, choose dried bay leaves with a vibrant green color and strong aroma.

• Yellow Onion: Provides a sweet, sharp base note and adds visual interest, select a firm, unblemished onion.
• Celery: Contributes a crisp texture and light peppery flavor, choose stalks that are bright green and sturdy.

Tools That Help You Nail Tomato Aspic Every Time

• Large bowl: Perfect for dissolving gelatin and mixing ingredients.
• Saucepan: Essential for heating and simmering vegetable juice with spices.
• Whisk: Great for smoothly combining gelatin and vegetable juice.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure liquid ingredients.
• Knife and cutting board: Useful for chopping onion and celery.
• Mold or serving dish: Needed for setting and presenting the aspic.

Vibrant Barefoot Contessa Tomato Aspic Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sophisticated Barefoot Contessa tomato aspic recipe delivers classic southern charm on chilled plates. Smooth gelatin-set tomato creation provides elegant cold appetizer perfect for discerning palates you’ll savor with culinary delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) vegetable juice (such as V-8®)
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) chopped onion
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) chopped celery
• 1 (.25 oz / 7 g) envelope unflavored gelatin
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) boiling water
• 1 dash Worcestershire sauce, or to taste (optional)
• 2 cloves
• 1 bay leaf

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Instructions

1. Gelatin Preparation: Sprinkle gelatin over hot water, whisking until completely dissolved into a smooth, glossy liquid.
2. Flavor Infusion: Combine vegetable juice, Worcestershire sauce, whole cloves, and bay leaf in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes, allowing herbs to release their aromatic essence.
3. Ingredient Integration: Remove cloves and bay leaf, then fold finely diced onion and celery into the warm vegetable juice, creating a vibrant, textured base.
4. Gelatin Incorporation: Stream the dissolved gelatin into the vegetable juice, stirring methodically to guarantee uniform distribution and prevent any gelatin clusters.
5. Molding and Chilling: Pour the liquid into a clean mold, ensuring a sleek surface, then refrigerate for 60-90 minutes until the aspic transforms into a firm, quivering delicacy that holds its shape impeccably.

Notes

• Optimize Gelatin Dissolving: Sprinkle gelatin evenly over hot water and stir gently to prevent lumps, ensuring a silky-smooth texture in your final aspic.
• Boost Flavor Intensity: Simmer vegetable juice with whole cloves and bay leaf for exactly 10 minutes to extract maximum aromatic depth without bitter undertones.
• Perfect Vegetable Preparation: Dice onion and celery into consistent, small pieces to distribute flavor evenly and create a professional, uniform appearance.
• Chilling Technique: Refrigerate aspic for 60-90 minutes, checking firmness by gentle jiggle – the goal is a set, tremor-free consistency that holds its shape beautifully.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 40
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 280 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg