Sparkling gelatin

Happy New Year's Eve!

I hope you have some lovely celebration in store today, whether it be a simple cozy evening at home or a large get-together to attend!  We prefer New Year's eve in so my family and I will be huddled together, enjoying the simple life that will include some good meals, a few games, and lots of relaxation.  We're getting together with more of our family on New Year's day and the weekend so there's look of fun to look forward to.

As we take a moment to look back at 2015 and forward to 2016, I'm grateful for the wonderful year we had and hopeful for more of the same in the new year.  So let's have a toast ... to a peaceful, healthy, and happy 2016! 

Thank you for stopping by during 2015 to take a peak into my kitchen ramblings and for all the words of encouragement and support!  I really appreciate it and I'm excited to continue to learn and discovery more great eats to share with my family in the new year.  Food nourishes us in more ways than one and I think time spent at the table is the very best...those are the memories I hold dear and love to create and savor.  May 2016 bring us all around the table, filling the air with the aroma of good food and the sound of laughter and chatter!

I'd like to share a toast with you but instead of pouring out a glass of champagne or sparkling wine, I made sparkling gelatin!  I think it's fun and festive, and this is a great time for both.  

I hope your 2016 shines and sparkles!  May there be peace and camaraderie over our shared passion for food.  

I was inspired to make sparkling wine gelatin from Food Network magazine, though I ultimately used a slightly different recipe.  I considered adding a little bit of fruit for a pop of color (raspberries, sliced strawberries, and pomegranate seeds are good options) but with all best intentions during the holidays, I find that we aim to do so much but realistically need to trim down and scale back a bit if we're to enjoy our efforts.  So I decided to simplify things by keeping my sparkling gelatins plain.  I used Prosecco, along with some plain gelatin and a little sugar and water to make these little champagne flutes of sparkling gelatins.  It was no stress, just fun.  And I want to keep enjoying myself in the kitchen - and in life in general - and I hope that whatever we do in 2016, it will come from a place of joy and bring us genuine contentment...  

Recipe:

Sparkling Gelatin

Adapted from Teaspoon of Spice

- For four 1/2 cup servings - 

1 1/2 tablespoons plain, unflavored gelatin (about 1 1/2 packages)

1/2 cup cold water

1 cup boiling water

2 tablespoons sugar (bit more if your sparkling wine or champagne is on the dry side) 

3/4 cup sparkling wine or champagne 

Prep 4 champagne glasses (or other serving vessels) by cleaning and thoroughly drying them.  

Place cold water in a medium-size bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over.  Let sit for about 3 minutes.  Lightly whisk in boiling water until gelatin is completely dissolved.  Add sugar and whisk until dissolved.  Stir in sparkling wine and immediately transfer the mixture to a large measuring cup.  

Divide mixture among the champagne glasses (if you'd like to try to create bubbles at the surface of the gelatin, which should remain after chilling, raise the measuring cup about 6-8 inches above the champagne glasses and fill in a steady stream from above).  

Chill until gelatin is completely set.