Homemade Blackberry Gelatin & Chilled Blackberry Parfaits

swissms's Note:

From Bon Appetit, August 1998. Make the gelatin at least one day ahead so that it has time to set. For a sophisticated dessert, layer the blackberry gelatin with sweetened vanilla whipped cream and a few sweetened blackberries in parfait glasses or wine glasses. If only making gelatin, will serve four.

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 6 cups fresh blackberries or 6 cups frozen blackberries
• 1 cup white grape juice
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
• 7 tablespoons white grape juice
• 5 teaspoons unflavored gelatin

Serving Option (Blackberry Parfaits)

• 3 cups blackberries
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• sweetened vanilla whipped cream

Directions:

1. Puree blackberries in processor. Pour puree into fine strainer set over 4-cup measuring cup. Press on solids to extract as much as possible. Discard solids remaining in strainer. Measure 3 cups puree (reserve any remaining puree for another use).
2. Stir 1 cup grape juice, sugar and lemon zest into blackberry puree.
3. Pour remaining 7 tablespoons grape juice into small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over; let stand until gelatin softens, about 10 minutes. Stir gelatin mixture over medium-low heatuntil gelatin dissolves, about 1 minute (do not boil).
4. Gradually whisk warm gelatin mixture into puree mixture. Transfer to 8x8x2-inch glass baking dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.
5. Variation: Blackberry Parfaits.
6. Mix 3 cup blackberries and 4 T sugar in medium bowl. Let stand at room temperature at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours, tossing occasionally.
7. Spoon generous 1/4 cup blackberry gelatin into each of 8 parfait glasses or wine glasses. Top with a few sweetened blackberries. Spoon about 1/3 cup sweetened vanilla whipped cream over. Repeat layering. Top with a few more berries. Serve.