My Kholodets Fish Aspic Food

UKRAINIAN ASPIC RECIPE (KHOLODETS)

Steps:

• Make sure you soak the pork legs in cold wate (3 hours to overnight - it's also a good way to thaw the pork)
• In a large pot, add pork legs, and chicken drum sticks. Add enough water to cover all of the meat. Set over high heat, cover and bring to a boil. As soon as it starts boiling, remove from heat and drain off the water. Rinse the meat, refill with fresh water (enough water to cover all of the meat, plus an extra 1/2-inch over the meat); Don't add too much water or it won't be "gelatiney" enough later. Cover and bring to a boil again. Reduce heat to a light boil/simmer and set a timer for 5 hours.
• After cooking for 5 hours, Add 1 large carrot, 2 medium onions (both ends removed), 1 celery stick, 2 bay leaves, 5-8 peppercorns and 2 tsp salt into the pot and continue boiling on low heat 1 more hour. It should look like a nice chicken broth. Now it's important that you do not discard the broth and do not add more water to the pot!
• Remove the drumsticks and carrot from the broth and let them cool. Discard pork legs, onion and bay leaves. Use a fine mesh sieve with 3 bounty paper towels over the sieve and filter the broth through the paper towels. You will be left with a clean broth.
• Peel and press 4 garlic cloves into the broth and do a taste test to see if more salt is needed.
• Once the meat has cooled, use a fork to separate meat from the bones. Keep the good meat; discard the bones. Thinly slice the carrot. You can make one big holodets in a rectangular pyrex dish or you can make smaller serving bowls.
• Start by placing carrots on the bottom and top with some dill if you wish. Next add the meat in an even layer and pour broth over the meat; enough to cover the meat and a little extra over the top. Refrigerate 3 hours to overnight, or until firm. Serve with red horseradish/hren (recipe on NatashasKitchen.com) or Russian mustard. Once it's set, set the bowl in hot water for a few seconds, then use a slim spatula to release the gelatin from the dish. Or you can just serve it out of the dish and save yourself a step.

MY KHOLODETS (FISH ASPIC)

Steps:

• Cook tilapia in microwave just until it is just done. Do not overcook or it will fall apart.
• Bring 3 cups water to a boil and add the bouillon cubes. Stir to dissolve. Add Worcestershire sauce, pepper, garlic powder, and sugar.
• Add the carrots and mushrooms. Cook until done.
• Remove vegetables with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Use a cheese cloth or towel to strain the bouillon.
• Dissolve the gelatin packets in the bouillon.
• Pour 1 cup of bouillon into a rectangular dish and put into the refrigerator until it is semi-set.
• Cut tilapia into pieces and arrange on top of the gelatin. Arrange mushrooms and carrot pieces around the fish. Pour the rest of the bouillon over.
• Decorate with lemon slices and leek.
• Place in refrigerator a few hours until it is set. Serve with horseradish.

UKRAINIAN MEAT IN ASPIC KHOLODETS

Steps:

• Scrub pig's foot in cold water and scrape off any bristles.
• Combine meats, vegetables peppercorns, and bay leaf in large kettle or pressure cooker.
• Cook covered in water until very well done (about 3 hours in kettle or 45 minutes at 15 pounds pressure in pressure cooker).
• When meat is loose from bones, uncover and cool.
• Pour off broth, skim off fat, and reserve broth.
• Remove meat from bones, discarding turkey skin and fat and vegetables.
• Chop meat into bite-size pieces and place in an oblong pan.
• Add peeled and crushed garlic, salt, and pepper.
• Soften gelatin in 1 cup hot broth and add to meat.
• Pour enough remaining broth to cover meat by at least 1/2 inch.
• Taste broth and adjust seasoning.
• Cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight.
• Keeps refrigerated up to 1 week.
• Serve in 1 inch slices sprinkled with flavoured vinegar or lemon juice.
• Garnish with parsley and lemon slices.