Summer Fruited Jelly

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Summer Fruited Jelly

 

This is a really special jelly recipe where real redcurrant jelly is crammed with blackberries, raspberries, and redcurrants and then smothered with more fresh fruit in a raspberry coulis. Just pour a little cream on top and you have very sophisticated jelly.

 

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Summer Fruited Jelly
Prepares: 4 servings
 
  • Preparation times: 35 minutes
  • Cooking time: 5 minutes
  • Setting time: at least 6 hours

  • Ingredients
  • 2½ sheets fine leaf gelatine OR
  • 1 sachet powdered gelatine
  • 450g (1 lb) redcurrants (3 cups)
  • 225g (8 oz) caster/white sugar (1 cup + 2 tbsp)
  • 140g (5 oz) blackberries (1 cup)
  • 300g (10½ oz) raspberries (2½ cups)

  • To serve
  • Double/whipping or heavy cream.

  • You will also need 4 × 175ml (6 fl oz) (¾ cup) mini pudding moulds. Alternatively, you can make them in one large jelly mould as shown in the photograph.


  2. Method
  3. First soften the gelatine.

  4. If using leaf gelatine, place the leaves in a bowl of cold water, snapping them in half to fit if necessary, and leave for 5 minutes to become very soft.

  5. If using powdered gelatine, stir the contents of 1 sachet into ¼ cup of cold water then add ¼ cup of boiling water and stir until the gelatine has completely dissolved, about 2 minutes.

  6. Now mix 300g (10½ oz) (2 cups) of the redcurrants, 200g (7 oz) (1 cup) of the sugar, and 90ml (3 fl oz) (⅓ cup) water in a medium-sized pan. Slowly bring the water to the boil and then simmer briskly, uncovered, for 3 minutes to cook the redcurrants. Strain the mixture into a jug through a plastic sieve, pushing the juices through with the back of a spoon.

  7. If using leaf gelatine, squeeze out the excess liquid and then stir it into the hot redcurrant juice.

  8. If using the powdered gelatine, stir the dissolved gelatine into the hot redcurrant juice.

  9. Now continue stirring until the gelatine has completely dissolved and then leave until the mixture is just warm.

  10. Meanwhile mix the remaining redcurrants with the blackberries and 200g (7 oz) (1½ cups) of the raspberries. Fill the moulds almost to the top with the fruit. You will have some fruit left over which will be used for garnishing.

  11. Fill each mould to the top with the jelly and then leave to cool completely. Cover with cling film/wrap and refrigerate to set for at least 6 hours.

  12. Meanwhile you can purée the remaining raspberries in a food processor or blender along with the remaining sugar and 3 tablespoons of water.

  13. Strain the coulis through a sieve into a bowl to remove the pips and then add the left-over fruit and stir to coat.

  14. When the jellies are set, remove them from their moulds by dipping the bottom of each one in boiling water for 5–10 seconds. Turn them out immediately onto four serving plates. Spoon the coulis and the fruit around the jellies and serve with cream.

 

Summer Berry Crêpes

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I love making crêpes to fill with summer fruits. They are so light and make a really impressive summer dessert.

Crêpes aren’t difficult to make. My tip is to start off with a really hot pan and then turn the heat down a little. The pan only needs to be smeared with melted butter between cooking each one. It should just glisten, not be running with the butter.

I hope you will want to try them and enjoy them too.

 

Summer Berry Crêpes

 

Thin, light, crêpes are filled with a selection of delicious summer berries, then topped with velvety, whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

 

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Summer Berry Crêpes
Prepares: Makes 8 × 8 inch crêpes to serve 4
 
  • Preparation time: 25 minutes
  • Standing time: 20 minutes
  • Cooking time: 20 minutes

  • Ingredients
  • For the crêpes
  • 115g (4 oz) plain/all-purpose flour (⅔ cup + 2 tbsp)
  • pinch salt
  • 2 eggs, large (U.K.)/extra large (N.A.)
  • 300ml (10 fl oz) semi-skimmed/2% milk (1¼ cups) OR
  • 240ml (8 fl oz) full fat/whole milk (1 cup) plus 60ml (2 fl oz) water (¼ cups)
  • 55g (2 oz) butter (¼ cup, or ½ stick)

  • For the filling
  • 450g (1 lb) selection of fresh berries, such as blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, redcurrants, or strawberries
  • 300ml (10 fl oz) double cream/whipping or heavy cream (1¼ cups)
  • 28g (1 oz) plain/dark chocolate

  • You will also need a shallow-rimmed, lightweight pan, 20-23cm (8-9inch) in diameter with rounded sides.


  2. Method
  3. Pop the chocolate in the freezer while preparing the rest of the recipe. It will make it easier to grate it into shavings later.

  4. Sift the flour and salt into a mixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Break the egg into the well and, using half the milk, gradually whisk the egg and milk into the flour, using a balloon whisk. Once a smooth consistency is reached and lots of bubbles rise to the surface, add the rest of the milk quickly. Do not over-mix.

  5. Or use an electric mixer. First mix the egg and milk together then mix in the sifted flour and salt until the batter is smooth and lots of bubbles rise to the surface. Be careful not to over-mix.

  6. Let batter rest for 20 minutes.

  7. Meanwhile, wash the fruit and pat dry.

  8. Then whip the cream until thick.

  9. Now warm 5 plates in the oven.

  10. Get the pan really hot, then turn the heat down to a medium setting. Melt the butter in the pan and then spoon 2 tablespoons into the batter mixture and whisk it in. Pour the rest into a small bowl and set to one side.

  11. Add a little butter to the pan before cooking each pancake. Just add enough to be able to tilt the pan and cover the base with butter. The base should just glisten not run with butter.

  12. You will need 45–60ml (3–4 tablespoons ) of batter for each crêpe. It is easier to measure this into a ladle or measuring cup first and use this to tip the batter into the pan in one go. Using the ladle or cup, hold it so that the base is very close to the bottom of the pan in the centre and then pour it in. Immediately lift and tilt the pan in all directions so the batter spreads thinly over the base. If there are any holes, just fill them in with batter using a teaspoon.

  13. Turn when the the crêpe starts to curl away from the sides of the pan, the mixture begins to bubble and the underside is golden. It should take about a minute. If it seems a bit sticky give it a couple of seconds more. Loosen the edge of the crêpe from the pan, then flip it over with a palette knife and cook until the underside is golden. Slip each cooked crêpe from the pan directly onto a piece of kitchen paper which will absorb any grease and keep it light and dry. Repeat the process with the rest of the batter, greasing the pan each time.

  14. Stack the crêpes up on a warmed plate as they are cooked with a piece of kitchen paper between each one, then cover loosely with foil so the top one doesn’t dry out. Keep warm in the oven.

  15. Grate the chocolate onto a plate to create a pile of shavings.

  16. Now divide the fruit between the crêpes, spooning it into the middle. Fold two sides of the crêpe over the fruit to create a cone shape, then spoon a generous dollop of cream on top and sprinkle with some of the chocolate shavings.

  17. Serve immediately.

Updated: August 19, 2018

Summer Trifle

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This is a really light trifle. Not what you normally think of as a trifle although it uses the same ingredients. It’s very refreshing for a summer dessert and looks good too.

 

Summer Trifle

 

This very light summer trifle has a selection of seasonal fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, black and red currants, tossed in a fruit purée and surrounded with little boozy sponge fingers coated in a vanilla custard.

 

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Summer Trifle
Prepares: 8 servings
 
  • Preparation time: 30 minutes
  • Cooking time: 20 minutes

  • Ingredients
  • 120ml (4 fl oz) milk (½ cup)
  • ½ vanilla pod split lengthways, OR
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 40g (1½ oz) caster/white sugar (3 tbsp + 1 tsp)
  • 10 lady fingers or sponge fingers
  • 1 tbsp sweet white wine or sherry
  • 500g (1 lb 2 oz) summer fruits, such as strawberries, raspberries, black and red currants
  • a splash of white wine (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1 tsp caster/white sugar
  • 150ml (5 fl oz) double cream/whipping or heavy cream (⅔ cup)
  • 28g (1 oz) unsalted, shelled pistachio nuts, or walnuts (¼ cup)


  2. Method
  3. Chill four dessert plates in the fridge.

  4. Pour the milk in a small pan and add the vanilla pod or vanilla extract. Slowly heat on the lowest setting for 10 minutes, without boiling.

  5. Meanwhile put the egg yolks in a small bowl and whisk in the sugar to make a paste.

  6. Slowly stir the milk and vanilla into the egg and sugar until the mixture is smooth. Return the custard to the pan and stir, over a low heat, until it begins to thicken. Do not let it boil. You want it to thicken enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat and cool.

  7. Meanwhile, cut each sponge finger in half and lay in a shallow bowl. Drizzle over the wine or sherry.

  8. Now wash and pat dry the fruits. Remove the currants from their stalks, hull and halve the strawberries. Set aside half the berries and currants, picking out the best. Put the remainder in a food processor or blender and add the wine and sugar. Purée until smooth and then, using the back of a spoon, push through a plastic sieve to remove the pulp. Once the purée is pressed through, wipe the underside of the sieve with the spoon to get all the remaining sauce.

  9. Roughly chop the pistachio nuts or walnuts.

  10. Whip the cream until it forms soft peaks and then fold in the cooled custard.

  11. Now to arrange the plates. Carefully toss the reserved fruit with half the purée and spoon into the centre of each plate.

  12. Divide the sponge fingers between the plates arranging them around the edge.

  13. Pour the custard over half of each the sponge finger then sprinkle the nuts on top.

  14. Pour the remaining purée over the fruit and serve.

Updated: August 12, 2018

Red Berry Jelly

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Red Berry Jelly

 

There is nothing like homemade jelly. The intensity of flavour of the berries come bursting through and makes for a perfect dessert on a hot summer’s day.

 

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Red Berry Jelly
Prepares: 6 servings
 
  • Preparation time: 30 minutes
  • Cooking time: 5 minutes
  • Setting time: 6 hours or overnight

  • Ingredients
  • 250g (9 oz) strawberries (about 2 cups)
  • 170g (6 oz) raspberries (1½ cups)
  • 115g (4 oz) redcurrants (¾ cup)
  • 140g (5 oz) caster/white sugar (⅔ cup)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 5 sheets fine leaf gelatine OR
  • 1½ sachets of powdered gelatine

  • You will also need a 1 litre (4 cup) jelly mould or six individual glass dessert dishes.


  2. Method
  3. Wash and pat dry the fruit. If the strawberries are large, cut them in half, and remove the stalks from the redcurrants.

  4. Put the fruit in a medium-sized pan along with the sugar, lemon juice, and 540ml (18 fl oz) (2¼ cups) cold water. Heat gently, stirring until the sugar has dissolved and the liquid is beginning to bubble. Now put a lid on the pan and let the fruit continue to cook gently until it has become very soft, about 5 minutes.

  5. If using leaf gelatine prepare it now. Place the leaves in a bowl of cold water, snapping them in half to fit if necessary. Leave for 5 minutes to become very soft.

  6. Now strain the fruit mixture through a large, fine sieve into a bowl. Press the fruit through the sieve, using a wooden spoon, to extract as much juice from the fruit as possible.

  7. If using powdered gelatine, stir the contents of 1½ sachets in ⅓ cup of cold water then add ⅓ cup of boiling water and stir until the gelatine has completely dissolved, about 2 minutes.

  8. Either lift the softened gelatine leaves from the water and add to the fruit juice or stir in the dissolved powdered gelatine. Now stir until the gelatine has completely dissolved into the fruit juice, about 2 minutes. Keep stirring until you are sure the gelatine has dissolved, otherwise, when the fruit juice sets, there will be little grains of solid gelatine in it.

  9. Pour the jelly into the jelly mould or individual glass dishes and leave to cool. Cover and refrigerate overnight to set.

  10. To turn out the jelly mould, dip it halfway in a large bowl of hand-hot water for about 5 seconds. Then place a flat serving plate on top and turn out the jelly onto the plate. Shake for a couple of seconds until you hear the jelly loosening, then lift the mould away.

  11. Note
  12. Can be served with single/half-and-half cream or dollops of whipped whipping/double/heavy cream and extra fresh raspberries.

 

Syllabub Trifle

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Syllabub Trifle

 

A true summer trifle – one that is so simple but so light and delicious. Fresh strawberries, raspberries, and redcurrants sit on a sponge base and are topped with a wine syllabub.

The syllabub originated in 16th century England. It was a drink of milk or cream curdled with a little wine or cider, sweetened and flavoured. In modern recipes a dessert syllabub is a thick or heavy cream curdled with wine or sherry, sweetened and flavoured, usually with lemon. It is whipped until thick and foamy.

 

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Syllabub Trifle
Prepares: 4 servings
 
  • Preparation time: 30 minutes
  • Standing time: 2 hours
  • Chilling time: 3 hours

  • Ingredients
  • 340g (12 oz) a mix of strawberries, raspberries and redcurrants (2 cups)
  • 40g (1½ oz) caster/white sugar (1½ tbsp)
  • 60ml (2 fl oz) dry white wine (¼ cup)
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 mini sponge cases
  • 55g (2 oz) caster/white sugar (¼ cup + 1 tsp)
  • 142 ml carton double/whipping or heavy cream (⅔ cup)

  • You will also need 4 x squat glass tumblers or similar pretty glasses for this recipe.


  2. Method
  3. Wash and pat dry the fruit. Hull and slice the strawberries and strip the redcurrants from their stalks. Place all the fruit in a bowl and sprinkle over 40g (1½ oz) sugar. Toss to coat the fruit and set to one side for 2 hours to draw out the juices.

  4. Measure the wine into a small bowl. Pare a couple of slices of rind from the lemon, cut them in half and add to the wine, making sure they are covered. Put to one side for 2 hours.

  5. After the 2 hours, cut the sponge cases to fit the base of the four glasses. Divide the fruit and their juices between the four glasses, spooning over the sponge base.

  6. Remove the lemon rind from the wine. Squeeze one and half tablespoons of juice from the lemon and add to the wine along with the remaining sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar.

  7. In a large bowl whisk the cream until it forms soft peaks. Now slowly add the wine mixture, whisking continuously, until the cream mixture becomes thick and frothy. Spoon this equally over the fruit and swirl the top. Chill for 3 hours.

  8. Serve.

Updated: July 1, 2018