Rhubarb Custard Jelly Food

RHUBARB AND MUSCAT JELLY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Put the rhubarb into a large ovenproof dish. I find a rectangular size measuring 12 by 8 by 2 inches perfect for the job. Sprinkle over the sugar, add the orange juice and zest, and 2 cups of water, and cover, either with lid or with foil. Bake for 1 hour. Take out of oven, remove lid, and let cool.
• Strain carefully into a large measuring cup. I find this gives about 3 cups. Put the pulp aside (you can freeze it for use in the custard or trifle). If using granulated gelatin, soften it in 1/4 cup of the Muscat, about 5 minutes. Heat the mixture in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until the gelatin has dissolved, about 1 minute, and add to the rhubarb juice. Pour the remaining Muscat into the juice to bring it up to 3 3/4 cups; if not using granulated gelatin, add the Muscat as is to the juice to the required measurement. Taste; you may want some more sugar or a squeeze more orange or, indeed, more Muscat.
• Lightly oil a 4-cup jelly mold by dabbing a paper towel in some suitably flavorless oil and then rubbing it over the interior of the mold. Soak gelatin leaves in a dish of cold water until softened. Put 2 ladles of rhubarb and Muscat syrup in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Squeeze out the gelatin leaves and whisk into the syrup. When they've dissolved, pour the contents of the pan back into the measuring cup. If you want to make sure everything's well enough blended, you can pour from the cup to the pan and back into the cup again. Pour into the jelly mold and place in the refrigerator to chill and set, about 6 hours or overnight.

TIPSY RHUBARB & BLOOD ORANGE JELLY

Steps:

• For the jelly, mix the blood orange juice, sugar and ginger together in a large saucepan over a medium heat for 5-10 mins until the sugar has dissolved. Add the rhubarb and poach it gently for 3-4 mins or until tender, being careful not to overcook, then remove from the heat. Skim off any foam, then stir in the Campari.
• Soak the gelatine in cold water for 5 mins and squeeze dry. Add to the blood orange liquid, stirring to dissolve. Brush the inside of 6 x 150ml dariole moulds (see tip, below) with cold water so that they are just damp.
• Lift the rhubarb out of the pan with a slotted spoon and divide two-thirds of it between the darioles. Pour the liquid over. Set aside the rest of the rhubarb and chill until needed. Allow the jellies to cool, then put in the fridge for at least 6 hrs or overnight until set.
• To make the custard, set a large bowl over iced water. Combine the cream, sugar and vanilla in a large saucepan and bring to the boil. Briefly whisk the egg yolks in another bowl, then whisk in a third of the hot cream mixture. Don't let it froth up, just make sure that everything combines smoothly.
• Pour this egg mixture back into the rest of the boiling cream, stirring all the time, until the custard is quite thick. Pour it into the bowl over iced water in order to prevent it overheating and curdling. Cover the surface with cling film to prevent a skin forming, then leave to cool. Chill until needed.
• To serve, pour a puddle of custard on 6 plates. Dip each dariole in hot water for a few secs, then turn out onto the custard. Top each jelly with a few poached rhubarb slices, and serve with the shortbread biscuits and any extra custard.