Vodka Infused Summer Fruit Jelly Food

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE FRUIT LIQUEUR

Steps:

• Start with clean fruit. Depending on what fruit you are using, hull the berries, pit the stone fruit, or trim rough ends from the rhubarb. Do not peel stone fruit, much flavor and color comes from the skins.
• Chop the fruit into bite sized pieces and add to a saucepan, along with the sugar. Add 1/4 cup water, and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. If your fruit is dry you may need to add a bit more water. Cook for about 5 minutes, just enough to soften the fruit.
• Puree the fruit using an immersion blender, a regular blender, or food processor.
• Add the fruit puree to the vodka and give it a stir. Let sit on the counter, covered, for 24 hours.
• Strain through a nut bag, or several layers of cheesecloth, squeezing to get all the liquid out. Discard the solids.
• Keep the liqueur in the refrigerator until needed. Note: these liqueurs need to be refrigerated because of the fresh fruit component, and should be consumed within 2 weeks.

SUMMER FRUIT, ELDERFLOWER AND PROSECCO JELLY

Steps:

• This is a great dessert that is really tasty. It freshens the palate and you can make it before you need it − it keeps for about four or five days. You can make one large jelly in a tureen mould or dish, or you can do individual ones. Use any combination of fruit, but not pineapple or kiwi fruit, as the jelly won't set if you do.
• First of all, decide whether you want to make one big jelly or small individual ones. If you are making a big one, it's a good idea to line the bowl with clingfilm first. Put your ripe fruit into your mould or moulds and refrigerate. Put your gelatine leaves into a bowl with a little cold water to soak for a minute, then drain and add the gelatine back to the bowl with the cordial. Rest above a pan of water over a medium heat and stir constantly until the gelatine and cordial become a syrup. At this point you can add your sugar, stir till dissolved, then remove the bowl from the heat and let it sit at room temperature for a minute or so.
• Take your fruit and Prosecco out of the fridge. The idea being that your fruit, moulds and Prosecco are all chilled, so the bubbles stay in the jelly when it sets and they fizz in your mouth when you eat it - beautiful! Pour the Prosecco into your cordial mix, and then pour this over your fruit. Some of the fruit might rise to the top, so using your finger, just push the fruit down into the jelly mix so that it is sealed and will then keep well in the fridge. Put back into the fridge for an hour to set.
• To serve, dip your mould into a bowl of hot water to loosen the outside of the jelly, then turn it out on to a plate. Great served with a little crème fraîche but just as good on its own.

VODKA-INFUSED SUMMER FRUIT JELLY RECIPE

Steps:

• 1. Divide the ripe fruit into 5 small glasses. If possible, arrange the kiwi fruit at the top. Pour a shot of vodka into each glass, and place all the glasses on a tray and chill in the refrigerator. 2. Put the vegetable gel powder in hot water (not boiling) and add sugar, stirring until dissolved. 3. Remove the bowl from the heat, and let it sit at room temperature for a minute or two. 4. Remove the chilled fruit, still in the glasses, from the refrigerator, and pour the dissolved mix over your fruit. 5. Some of the fruit might rise to the top, so using your finger, just push the fruit down into the jelly mix so that it is sealed and will then keep well in the refrigerator. 6. Place in iced bain-marie or in the refrigerator for an hour to set. 7. To serve, dip the glass in to a bowl of hot water to loosen the outside of the jelly, then turn it out onto a plate. On the plate put an arrangement of mixed fruit and dust with a touch of icing sugar. 8. Put the jelly in the middle and serve with cold cream to cover the bottom of the plate around the outside