As I was cleaning out my grandmother’s kitchen, I came across a well-worn recipe book that belonged to her mother. The book was filled with recipes from the mid-century modern era, including a variety of aspic salads that were popular during that time. Intrigued by these retro dishes, I decided to try my hand at making two mid-century modern aspic salads that I thought sounded interesting.
For those who are not familiar with aspic, it is a dish made with a clear, savory jelly that is often used to encase ingredients such as meat, vegetables, or fruit. During the mid-century modern era, aspic salads were often served as an elegant appetizer or side dish for dinner parties. They were known for their visually stunning presentation and unique flavors.
The first recipe I tried was a classic tomato aspic salad. The recipe called for tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and unflavored gelatin. The ingredients were mixed together and poured into a mold, then chilled until set. The aspic salad was then unmolded and served with a dollop of mayonnaise and chopped parsley.
While the ingredients for this recipe were relatively simple, the execution was a bit trickier than I anticipated. I had never worked with gelatin before and found that it required a bit of finesse to get the right consistency. However, with a bit of trial and error, I was able to achieve the desired result. The end product was a visually stunning dish that tasted just as good as it looked.
The second recipe I tried was a molded chicken salad. This recipe called for cooked chicken, celery, and mayonnaise to be mixed together and set in a mold with a gelatin mixture. Once set, the aspic salad was unmolded and served with a garnish of sliced olives and parsley.
This recipe was a bit more complex than the first, as it required cooking and shredding the chicken before mixing it with the other ingredients. Additionally, I found that getting the right ratio of gelatin to chicken mixture required a bit of trial and error. However, once again, the end result was well worth the effort. The chicken salad had a unique texture and flavor that was perfectly complemented by the savory gelatin.
Aspic salads may seem like a relic of the past, but they are actually making a comeback in modern cuisine. Chefs and food bloggers are putting their own spin on this retro dish, using new and innovative ingredients to create visually stunning and flavorful dishes. If you’re feeling adventurous in the kitchen, why not try your hand at creating your own aspic salad?
Here are the recipes for the two aspic salads I tried:
Classic Tomato Aspic Salad Recipe:
Ingredients:
3 cups of tomato juice
1/2 cup of lemon juice
1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
1 packet of unflavored gelatin
Salt and pepper to taste
Mayonnaise and chopped parsley for garnish
Directions:
In a saucepan, combine the tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and unflavored gelatin. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the gelatin has dissolved.
Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
Pour the mixture into a mold and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until set.
To serve, unmold the aspic salad onto a plate and garnish with a dollop of mayonnaise and chopped parsley.
Molded Chicken Salad Recipe:
Ingredients:
2 cups of cooked, shredded chicken
1/2 cup of chopped celery
1/2 cup of mayonnaise
1 packet of unflavored gel
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1 packet of unflavored gelatin
Salt and pepper to taste
Sliced olives and chopped parsley for garnish
Directions:
In a bowl, mix together the cooked chicken, chopped celery, and mayonnaise.
In a saucepan, combine the lemon juice, unflavored gelatin, and 1 cup of water. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the gelatin has dissolved.
Add the gelatin mixture to the chicken mixture and stir until well combined.
Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
Pour the mixture into a mold and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until set.
To serve, unmold the aspic salad onto a plate and garnish with sliced olives and chopped parsley.
Aspic salads may seem like a relic of the past, but they are actually making a comeback in modern cuisine. These retro dishes offer a unique and visually stunning way to serve familiar ingredients. While they may require a bit of effort to make, the end result is well worth it. So why not channel your inner mid-century modern chef and give these retro recipes a try? You might just discover a new favorite dish.
