Bake the Book
20130610-bakethebook-lemonade-jelly.jpg

[Photograph: Grant Cornett]

Like jiggly squares of summer sunshine, lemonade jelly from Bakeless Sweets packs a sweet punch softened with a vegetal kiss of basil.

Reprinted with permission by Faith Durand. Copyright © 2013. Published by Abrams Books. Available wherever books are sold. All rights reserved.

About This Recipe

Ingredients

  • 4 to 5 large lemons, juiced (3/4 cup/180 ml)
  • 3/4 cup (150g) sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups (25 g) loosely packed basil leaves, plus more to serve
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) pulp-free orange juice
  • 3 teaspoons powdered gelatin
  • Whipped cream, to serve

Procedures

  1. Warm the lemon juice, 11/2 cups (360 ml) water, and the sugar to boiling. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Roughly tear the basil leaves and put them in a small bowl.

  2. Pour the lemon juice mixture over the basil leaves and let steep for at least 15 minutes.

  3. Pour the orange juice into a small saucepan and sprinkle the gelatin over its surface. Let the gelatin soften for 5 minutes, then warm the pan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the gelatin is fully dissolved. Turn off the heat.

  4. Strain the basil out of the lemon juice and whisk the juice into the gelatin mixture. Pour the liquid into six small cups or a 1-quart (1-L) dish. Refrigerate for 2 hours, or until softly set. Garnish with whipped cream and basil leaves to serve.