Tomato Aspic

Ingredients and Weight:

• 2 lbs fresh tomatoes
• 2 cups water
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 1/2 cup carrot, chopped
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons gelatin powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation Time:

30 minutes

Cooking Time:

2 hours

Difficulty Level:

2 (Intermediate)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. In a blender, combine the tomatoes, water, onion, celery, and carrot. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour the tomato mixture into a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and the liquid has reduced by half.
3. Strain the tomato mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl. Discard the solids.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, lemon juice, gelatin powder, salt, and black pepper.
5. Gradually whisk the gelatin mixture into the strained tomato mixture until dissolved.
6. Pour the aspic mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 100
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Protein: 2g

Dish Characteristics:

• Vibrant red color
• Firm and slightly gelatinous texture
• Sweet and tangy flavor

User Comments:

• "This aspic is so refreshing and delicious! I love the balance of sweet and sour flavors."
• "The presentation is beautiful and it's perfect for a special occasion."
• "I'm not usually a fan of aspic, but this one is amazing! It's light and flavorful."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• If you don't have a fine-mesh sieve, you can use a cheesecloth-lined colander to strain the tomato mixture.
• To make the aspic more decorative, you can add chopped fresh basil or chives before refrigerating.
• Serve the aspic chilled with crackers or bread.