Elderflower & Raspberry Gelée with Warm Berry Compote

Elderflower & Raspberry Gelée with Warm Berry Compote

A shimmering, translucent jewel of a dessert featuring floral elderflower notes and suspended fresh raspberries. The cool, delicate wobble of the jelly provides a striking thermal and textural contrast to the hot, tart berry compote.

4h 25mIntermediate4 servings

Equipment

Dariole molds or Ramekins
Small saucepan
Fine mesh sieve
Whisk
Mixing bowl

Ingredients

4 servings

Elderflower Gelée

  • 4 leaf gelatin, Gold grade
  • 100 ml elderflower cordial
  • 150 ml water
  • 250 ml sparkling wine, chilled
  • 12 fresh raspberries

Warm Berry Compote

  • 200 g mixed berries, fresh or frozen
  • 30 g caster sugar
  • 10 ml lemon juice
  • 1 lemon zest

Nutrition (per serving)

126
Calories
2g
Protein
21g
Carbs
0g
Fat
3g
Fiber
17g
Sugar
11mg
Sodium

Method

01

Submerge the gelatin leaves in a bowl of cold water and let them bloom for 5 minutes until soft and pliable. If using powder, sprinkle over 30ml of cold water and let bloom.

5m
02

In a saucepan, combine the water and elderflower cordial. Heat gently until the liquid is hot but not boiling (approx 80°C/176°F).

4m
03

Squeeze excess water from the softened gelatin leaves. Add them to the hot cordial mixture and whisk until completely dissolved. Remove from heat.

1m
04

Pour the sparkling wine into the warm gelatin mixture. Stir gently to combine without creating excessive foam. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean jug to remove any undissolved particles.

05

Place 3 raspberries into each of the 4 molds. Pour the liquid evenly into the molds.

06

Refrigerate the molds for at least 4 hours, or until firmly set.

4h
07

Ten minutes before serving, prepare the compote. Combine mixed berries, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest strip in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the berries release their juices and the sauce slightly thickens.

7mLook for: Berries are soft and sauce coats the back of a spoon
08

To serve, dip the base of each mold into hot water for 5 seconds to loosen. Invert onto a plate. Remove the lemon zest strip from the compote and spoon the warm sauce around the cold jelly.

Chef's Notes

  • Temperature contrast is the key to this dish. Ensure the compote is warm (not boiling hot) and the jelly is fridge-cold right before serving.
  • Bloom strength matters. 'Gold' grade leaf gelatin gives the cleanest melt-in-mouth texture. If using powder, ensure it is fully hydrated before heating.
  • For a crystal-clear appearance, do not whisk the mixture vigorously after adding the sparkling wine, as this traps air bubbles that cloud the jelly.
  • If using sparkling wine, the carbonation will mostly dissipate during mixing, but it leaves a pleasant acidity and 'bite' that balances the sugar.

Storage

Refrigerator: 2 daysKeep in molds until serving to maintain shape.

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