Years ago my mother gave me a recipe that she called "Lime And Cucumber Jelly Mold". It had some very early '60s ingredients that made the "mold" bright green. A bit scary but not unheard of when I was a child.
As I moved farther and farther away from parent's home and the family meals (even though it was all wonderful) I began to play with the idea of modifying some of Mom's recipes to suit my taste.
This relish is very old school but it really does deserve a try. It is wonderful with salmon or smoked trout. It is creamy, refreshing and surprisingly light.
I am finding that more and more I want a bit of nostalgia included in my dinner.
BT's Fennel And Cucumber Mousse
Ingredients:
2 large cucumbers (Israeli/Persian)
2 medium fennel bulbs with fronds
2 shallots
1 clove garlic - crushed
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 pint (500 ml) heavy cream
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice + zest of 1 lime
1 tablespoon gelatin (1/2 sheet)
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
2 teaspoons cold water
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon Arak (any anisette)
2 sprigs fresh dill
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions:
Remove fennel stalks
Remove fennel fronds and reserve
Trim outside, tough leaves of fennel and chop into small pieces
Peel and chop shallots
Add oil to saucepan
Add shallots and turn flame to medium low
Sauté shallots for 3 minutes or until they are translucent
Add salt, garlic, sugar and cayenne
Sauté 1 minute
Add Arak
Sauté 1 minute
Add chopped fennel and half of the cream (1/2 pint = 250 ml)
Turn flame to low and poach shallot and fennel until very soft - approximately 6 minutes
Remove saucepan from heat
Purée contents
In a separate bowl add lime juice and water
Sprinkle gelatin over the juice
Place gelatin mix over pot of boiling water until gelatin dissolves
Grate cucumbers with peel on medium gauge grater
Squeeze excess water from cucumbers
Add fennel purée to dissolves gelatin
Chop fennel fronds and dill
Whip remaining cream
Fold whipped cream and fennel mix
When thoroughly incorporated add herbs and cucumber
Pour into a bowl or mold
Refrigerate 2 hours
Enjoy! !בתיאבון
Comments