Mrs Dulls Tomato Aspic Funeral Food Dish

FUNERAL HOTDISH

Steps:

• Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes, noodles and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Stir in the peas (if they're frozen, they'll thaw pretty much immediately when stirred in). Season with salt and pepper. Top with cheese and herbs, if desired.

TOMATO ASPIC

Steps:

• Fully dissolve gelatin in boiling water in a mixing bowl.
• Combine vegetable juice, worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, and cloves in a saucepan; bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 10 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaf and cloves.
• Stir onion and celery into vegetable juice.
• Pour vegetable juice mixture over dissolved gelatin; stir gently to blend.
• Refrigerate until set completely, about 1 hour.

MRS DULL'S TOMATO ASPIC FUNERAL FOOD DISH

Steps:

• Mash tomatoes into a pulp, removing any stem pieces.
• Cut celery thin.
• Add all seasonings.
• Put the gelatin in the water for 10 minutes and then heat it over boiling water until it is completely dissolved.
• Add to the tomato mixture and turn into a large mold or into individual molds.
• Rinse the mold with cold water prior to pouring the mixture in - this helps it to unmold easily.
• Pour in and refrigerate overnight.
• Unmold.
• Slice if desired.
• Serve on lettuce leaves with a side of mayonnaise.
• Asparagus spears or any fresh vegetable is a nice garnish on the side.

TOMATO ASPIC

Steps:

• Lightly grease eight to ten 8-ounce individual molds or custard cups.
• Place the tomatoes, onion, celery, bay leaves, garlic, and cloves in a large saucepan with 1/2 cup of the water and stir to mix. Bring to a low boil and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally and skimming the rising foam as needed. Remove from the heat and strain, discarding the bay leaves and cloves, then pushing the pulp through a sieve to make 4 to 5 cups of juice. Add the lemon zest and juice, sugar, vinegar, basil, and salt and pepper to taste and stir to combine.
• Return the juice to the saucepan, bring to a boil, and reduce by about 2 cups, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to a low boil. Fill a large bowl with ice water. Combine the gelatin with the remaining 1/4 cup water in a large bowl and stir to mix. Pour the hot juice over the gelatin mixture and stir until the gelatin dissolves. Remove the basil and place the pan of juice in the water bath to fully cool, stirring regularly for even coloring and texture.
• Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared molds, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, until the aspic sets up and is firm.
• To unmold the aspics, run a knife around the outside edge of the molds and set in a pan of warm water for 15 to 20 seconds to loosen. Invert onto a plate or platter and serve or refrigerate until ready to serve.