TOMATO AND ASPARAGUS MOUSSE

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS:
  • 6-8 lightly cooked asparagus tips
  • 1/3 pint liquid aspic jelly
  • 1½ lb tomatoes
  • chicken stock
  • 6 oz curd cheese ( or sieved cottage cheese)
  • 1 clove garlic
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tblsp chopped fresh basil ( or 1 tsp dried)
  • 3 chopped spring onions 
  • 3tsp powdered gelatine
  • 3 tblsp dry Vermouth

 

 

 

 

 

METHOD:
  • Arrange the asparagus tips decoratively in the base of a 1 -  1½ pint lightly oiled mould.
  • Add thin layer of liquid aspic.
  • Chill to set the asparagus in position.
  • Add remaining aspic and chill once again.
  • Skin the tomatoes in the usual way.
  • Put into the liquidiser and blend to a pulp.
  • Sieve pulp and make up to ¾ pint with chicken stock.
  • Return the tomato pulp to the liquidiser together with the curd cheese, garlic , salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add the basil and spring onions.
  • Blend until smooth.
  • Dissolve gelatine in the dry Vermouth and add to the tomato mixture, making sure that it is evenly mixed.
  • Pour carefully into the prepared mould and chill for 3 - 4 hours until set.
  • Unmould carefully onto a serving plate and serve with fingers of brown bread and butter.