Multicolored aspic with pale beer jelly

The Multicolored aspic with pale beer jelly is an elegant and surprising appetizer, combining the delicate flavor of the jelly with the slightly bitter note of the beer. Here’s how to prepare it with an Italian touch, highlighting flavors from our territory.

Ingredients

• 500 ml of pale beer (craft beer is better)
• 300 ml of vegetable broth
• 10 sheets of gelatin (or an equivalent amount of powdered gelatin following the manufacturer’s instructions)
• Mixed vegetables to taste (for example, carrots, peas, green beans, corn)
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Parsley
• Salt and pepper as needed

Preparation

1. Prepare the vegetables: wash, clean, and dice the vegetables and blanch them separately in salted water, being careful to keep them crisp. Peel the hard-boiled eggs and cut them into wedges or slices.
2. Soften the gelatin sheets in cold water for about 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, bring the vegetable broth to a boil and turn off the heat. Squeeze the gelatin sheets and add them to the hot broth, stirring until completely dissolved.
4. In another pot, warm the beer slightly without bringing it to a boil and add the dissolved gelatin in the broth, stirring carefully to combine everything.
5. In an aspic mold (or in a terrine), arrange a first layer of mixed vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, and parsley, then gently pour some pale beer jelly over everything to cover. Refrigerate to set for about 30 minutes.
6. Continue by creating subsequent layers of vegetables and jelly, allowing each layer to set before adding the next one until the mold is filled.
7. Once completed, leave the aspic in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or until it is well set.
8. To serve, briefly immerse the mold in hot water to facilitate unmolding. Invert the aspic onto a serving plate and decorate as desired with additional herbs or vegetables.

Curiosity

Aspic is a dish that has its origins in French cuisine and lends itself to infinite variations. It is ideal for buffets and summer lunches, as it can be prepared in advance and served cold.

While the pale beer jelly adds an unusual and contemporary touch, do not hesitate to experiment with different types of beer to find the one that best suits your tastes and the type of vegetables used. Enjoy your meal!