How to Prepare a Delicious Aspic at Home

Have you ever heard of an aspic? It dates back to the Middle Ages!

The aspic is a very exotic and delicious dish. Basically, it’s a savory jelly made of meat and consommé or bone broth. However, although it may seem simple, this recipe is quite complex, making it a gastronomic jewel.

Apart from being a jelly, the dish is molded with total dedication and care to make it appetizing – not only to the palate, but also to the eye. So, read on, because we’re going to tell you how to prepare a homemade delicious aspic.

The history of aspic holds its greatest secret

Aspic is an English dish that originated in the Middle Ages and its purpose was to preserve food for a longer time. In this period it was very common to prepare jellies made from fish and meat.

The locals discovered that gelatin helped to preserve proteins, more than other methods, meaning the food would keep for several days. However, the trick of gelatin is that it isn’t just any kind; they used calf’s hoof, whose collagen gave the right consistency.

In the specific case of fish, fish bones were used to preserve the flavor as well. So now you know: the secret of aspic is in the base used for the gelatin.

It should be mentioned that, over the years and with the massification of the recipe, varieties with a higher vegetable content have emerged.

How to prepare the jelly?

To prepare the aspic jelly there are different recipes and ingredients. In fact, according to the best cooks in the world, making it isn’t easy.

Bringing the bones to the required point requires a lot of time. Although if you want to save time, a pressure cooker or instant pot is a good ally in the task.

If waiting isn’t your thing and neither is the use of this pot, then you can make a clear broth or stock and add unflavored gelatin. Decide how you feel most comfortable preparing your aspic and then get the following ingredients.

Ingredients

• Bones with cartilage: Pork or chicken feet, beef or pork knuckles.
• Herbs and vegetables: Thyme, onion, parsley, celery, and carrots.
• More vegetables: Broccoli, peas, corn or cabbage, according to your preference.
• Meat, chicken or fish, larded or in squares.
• Salt to taste.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Choose the bones you’re going to use for your jelly.
2. Cook the bones and when they’re at boiling point, add the herbs and vegetables.
3. Let the described contents boil for several hours.
4. Then, remove the bones or what’s left of them and strain with the help of a gauze or a very fine strainer. Do this until the gelatin is very clear.
5. Let it cool a little and pour the broth into the molds you have to present your dish.
6. Add, layer by layer, the extra ingredients that will complement your recipe.

After these steps, your aspic will be ready, which you should store in the refrigerator to achieve the final texture. Depending on the time you have left between preparing it and offering it to your guests, you can keep it for several days without any problem.

Of course, you should cover the mold with plastic wrap or a lid to prevent the recipe from being contaminated by the smells of other foods you have there, and also to preserve the shape you’ve given it.

What does aspic taste like?

Many people who haven’t tried the dish, but are curious, often wonder what it tastes like. This is a valid question seeing that it has a great variety of ingredients.

It must be said that its primary flavor will be decided by the broth, whether it’s meat, chicken, or fish. However, when the hot gelatin is mixed with the other ingredients, it adds its flavors.

Dare and prepare a delicious aspic at home

Aspic is a dish that’s full of flavor and health benefits. Its preparation requires a lot of dedication, so it’s usually only available in restaurants of a high culinary level. However, this won’t be a problem for you, because you now know how to make it at home!

Don’t be discouraged if, at first, it doesn’t turn out as well as you expected; practice makes perfect and it’s worth trying until you get a delicious dish. Since it has so much collagen, it’s a good way to add this substance to your diet.