Red, White, and Blue Parfaits

(91)
Red, White, and Blue Parfaits
Yield:
12

Two kinds of smooth gelatin—red currant and panna cotta, which is made with cream—are topped with currants and blueberries for a red, white, and blue July 4th dessert parfait with a crowd-pleasing palette.

Ingredients

  • 4 ½ pounds fresh red currants, stemmed

  • 3 cups sugar

  • 3 envelopes unflavored gelatin (about 6 ¾ teaspoons)

  • 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin (about 4 ½ teaspoons)

  • 3 ½ cups whole milk

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • ¾ cup sugar

  • 1 ½ pounds fresh blueberries

  • 2 ounces fresh currants, on the stem

Directions

  1. Make the currant gelatin: Put currants and sugar in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until currants are very soft, about 10 minutes.

  2. Put 1/3 cup cold water into a small bowl; sprinkle with gelatin. Let soften 5 minutes. Add to currant mixture; stir until gelatin has dissolved, about 5 minutes.

  3. Pour through a fine sieve into a bowl set in an ice-water bath, gently pressing out liquid with a spoon; discard solids. Remove from water bath, and let stand, stirring occasionally, until cool but not set. Pour 3 to 4 tablespoons currant gelatin into each of twelve 8- to 10-ounce glasses; set remaining currant gelatin aside. Refrigerate glasses until gelatin is completely set, about 1 hour.

  4. Meanwhile, make the panna cotta: Put 1/3 cup cold water into a small bowl; sprinkle with gelatin. Let soften 5 minutes.

  5. Put milk, cream, and sugar into a medium saucepan; bring almost to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Add gelatin mixture, and stir until gelatin has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Pour through a fine sieve into a bowl set in an ice-water bath. Remove from water bath; let stand, stirring occasionally, until cool but not set.

  6. Spoon 3 to 4 tablespoons panna cotta over currant gelatin in each glass; set remaining panna cotta aside. Refrigerate glasses until panna cotta is set, about 1 hour. Repeat with another layer of currant gelatin and panna cotta. If either mixture becomes too firm, set over a pot of simmering water until softened.

  7. To serve, top each parfait with blueberries and currants, dividing evenly.

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