Paul's still working away during the week, so I am flying solo tonight. I'm not much of a one for Valentine's Day but there is still a faintly wistful side to being too far from the one you love on a day when romantic love is being shouted from the rooftops. And that's entirely separate from the fact that being apart from my husband is not my favourite thing and I don't much like Monday anyway. So I made myself a nice dessert. Two portions, because that's how I cook: one for tonight, one for tomorrow night.
Valentine's Jellies
4 blood oranges
cava/prosecco/champagne (although really, if you use actual champagne for this you need your head read)
1tsp gelatine
250g mascarpone
2tbs cointreau
1tbs sugar
Grate the zest from one of the oranges and reserve. Cut all 4 into segments, cutting between the membranes to get tidy pieces, over a bowl to catch the juice. Divide the segments between 2 serving glasses (blood oranges vary wildly in bloodiness, so mix it up a bit to let both portions get a good colour).
Put the reserved juice in a measuring jug (holding back 1tsp), and add sparkling wine to add up to 150ml. Sprinkle a teaspoonful of gelatine over the liquid, and leave for 10 minutes to sponge. When the gelatine granules have swelled a bit, stand the jug of liquid in a bowl of hot water and stir for a bit until the gelatine has dissolved completely. Pour the jelly over the orange segments, and stick it in the fridge.
This should make quite a firm jelly, because I want a bit of texture to contrast with the soft mascarpone layer.
Add the sugar and cointreau to the grated orange zest, then beat in the mascarpone. Add the reserved teaspoon of orange juice and swirl through.
When the jelly is partially set (not long - about 10 minutes) dollop the pink-swirled mascarpone on top and chill for another couple of hours before serving.
Eat, with a long spoon and an episode of Firefly. If the dessert doesn't work, Nathan Fillion will cure what ails you.
11 comments:
Lol, last week when Matt was gone I did the same thing but with creme brulee
They look delicious. Shame you had to eat them both yourself!
Nice. That's a sexy solo treat =)
I hope you enjoyed both the dessert and the movie. I really like the tall glasses in the photo. I know you've used them before, but I am not sure I told you that I like them :)
Kat - your red velvet creme brulees looked lovely too!
Suelle - even if Paul was home he would only have eaten a spoonful.
Heather - thanks!
Simona - thank you! I love those glasses for serving desserts in. Just the right size.
Love the look and sound of the jellies, I love the taste of blood oranges, will have to pick some up when I go shopping :)
What a great dessert--I need to find some blood oranges. If you had to be solo you certainly did it in style. ;-)
Anne - they are in season at the moment and they are lovely!
Deb - Stylish, that's me ;)
word. nathan fillion can do NO wrong--he's one of the most charming and alluring men i've ever seen in my life! :) rest in peace, firefly.
and hey--great valentine's day treat! despite their morbid name, blood oranges are terrific!
Beautiful! I tried something similar last weekend but didn't use enough gelatine sheets so it wasn't as set as I would have liked it. And I want proper jelly moulds! :D I love the way you presented yours!
Grace - he really is lovely, isn't he?
Su-Lin - I usually go the other way and can only cut it with a hatchet.
Post a Comment