December 31, 2015

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.


24 comments:

  1. Happy New Year, Monica!
    Sparkling gelatin sounds really fun!

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    1. Have a great day today and may tomorrow be the start of a wonderful year!

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  2. How very fun! I love your beautiful sentiments :) Thank you for all the lovely visits this year - you always have something positive and helpful to say - and I know there will be a smile on my face while reading your blog. This is a fun and creative recipe and it looks beautiful! Have a very happy New Year! We always stay home but were invited to my husband's boss' house this year - so we are going out :( I am such a home body but I guess it will do me good to get out. Have fun and thanks for everything!

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    1. I am *the* homebody so I can relate but I know you'll have a fun night at the end of it all! Thank you for all your kind comments and encouragement throughout the year, Tricia. You are so gracious and I'm so happy to have gotten to know you via this little blog thing in the last few years. Let's have a delicious 2016! : )

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  3. Hehe you are so funny! I saw the title and puzzled and then saw the pics of the glasses lying down! Very clever! A very Happy New Year to you Monica!! :D

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    1. Being called funny and clever makes me happy, thank you! ; ) Happy New Year, Lorraine!

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  4. Happy New Year Monica, love reading your blog, you are so talented. Also love that you are so family orientated. We always stay home on New Year's, we actually have much more fun.

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    1. You are so kind, Cheri. Like you, I like to find recipes and try them out and talk about how they turned out. : ) You inspire me to try more savory dishes and to do it in a more timely fashion. Thank you and have a wonderful 2016!

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  5. Hope your 2016 shines and sparkles too!! Happy and healthy New Year, Monica!

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    1. Thanks so much! Let it be the best year yet for you and yours!

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  6. WOW!
    Sparkling gelatin sounds awesome! Have a Happy New Year!

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    1. Hope you had a nice celebration and 2016 is starting off wonderfully!

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  7. This is a fun idea! I'd be so scared if the glass tip over... :D Happy New Year to you and your family! I have SO many recipes that I want to try reading your posts last year... I bet you'll share more amazing recipes this year and I look forward to it! :)

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    1. Happy New Year, Nami! Looking forward to learning lots from you in 2016. Thank you!

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  8. Happy New Year dear. It is a great idea. Sparkling Gelatin sounds just perfect for New year. Love it. :)

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    1. It was fun to whip up, Ritu. Happy 2016 to you and your family!

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  9. Hope you had a happy New Year too! Your gelatine is lovely.

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    1. Hi Beth, happy New Year! Hope it'll be the best one yet.

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  10. Happy Happy New Year, Monica! Your posts and recipes always put a smile on my face! Everything you share comes straight from the heart and I love that. Your family is so lucky to have you - I can't wait to what 2016 brings! Cheers my friend!

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    1. What a lovely thing to say, Kelly...thank you so much! Your family is beyond lucky to have you. Your talent in the kitchen is inspiring! Hope 2016 is going well so far...let's have a GREAT one!

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  11. Here! Here! Well said Monica! Wishing you a very Happy New Year to you and your family. These sparkling gelatins are a perfect way to celebrate and so pretty too. I look forward to many more creations from your kitchen in 2016! Best wishes X

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    1. Hi Jo!! Happy New Year! I hope you and your family had a nice, relaxing, delicious Christmas break. Great to hear from you and look forward to seeing some of your delicious creations in 2016, too! Here's to a 2016 that's just the way you envision it! xo

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