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Grapefruit And Pomegranate In White Tea Jelly

Grapefruit-Pomegranate in White Tea Jelly


I hope that those of you celebrating Thanksgiving last week got to spend some quality time with their family and friends. Maybe there were a few odd moments and uncomfortable silence but heck, that’s family dynamic right?! Our holiday was kind of bittersweet. A house full of close friends, kids, games and laughter interrupted by the news of B’s uncle passing away the day before Thanksgiving. Lots of time spent on the road visiting relatives and work/gigs that would not take a vacation (except for Thursday of course).

When calm finally found a momentary reprieve on Friday, I looked around at the little bodies running about the house, verrines of Grapefruit And Pomegranate in Tea Jelly being lined up on the table, friends sitting down together and decided to keep the sweet part of bitter closer to my heart.

Grapefruit-Pomegranate White Tea Jelly


I’ve had this recipe and post in my draft box since Friday but have not had much chance to sit down with my thoughts and write something coherent. The first thing I did that morning was to rush out of bed and drink about a gallon of grapefruit juice. My body was obviously gearing up for detox mode. I pretty much spent the rest of the day noshing on grapefruits, oranges, kumquats (citrus season is just around the corner here in the South) and drinking copious mugs of tea. When I get into this mode, I make sure to never run out of anything tart, sour, juicy and fresh (hmm sounds like I could be describing B’s sense of humor!).

It’s not that we ate a lot, we just ate at odd hours and foods prepared by salt-shaker happy relatives. I know I am not the only one who drank a pond came Friday morning but I always wonder: what type of foods do you crave after a few extras?

Grapefruit Pomegranate White Tea Jelly


It hit me at three in the afternoon that I should turn all these lovely, clean and fresh ingredients into a dessert that we could all enjoy. One of our friends loves those little fruit and jello cups sold at the grocery store and I know from a sure source (his wife) that it’s about the only instance he’ll be seen with a fruit. I like the concept (I’m French, anything "aspic" related is part of our food DNA) but I don’t like the idea of additives, extra sugars and what not. I also like fruit over gelled mass a lot more. Plenty of reasons to make these at home and play a good game of Scrabble while they set.

I packed glasses and other ramekins with a combination of white and red grapefruits, sprinkled a small handful of pomegranate seeds over each of them and poured just enough white tea jelly to seal the deal. After a couple of hours in the fridge, we had the healthiest and most flavorful fruit dessert of the week. Suddenly my feet starting tapping on the floor, I began to giggle and fidget in my seat. My energy was back! So was my brain and the ability to come up with endless possibilities for these! We made a couple of other batches, one with pomegranate juice and one with Grand Marnier for a more festive and grown up version.

Grapefruit Pomegranate White Tea Jelly


Can hardly wait to make these with Spring berries paired with some green or bergamot tea, or Summer stone fruit with some ginger beer or Champagne…

Grapefruit And Pomegranate In White Tea Jelly

Makes 4

Notes:
For a clean presentation, I like to spend some time making sure I properly segment the citrus, removing as much of the white membrane as much as possible. Click here for a good explanation on how to do it.
On the same vibe, pomegranate can make a royal stained mess and if more cleaning is not on your list that day, click here for an illustrated step-by-step.

2 teaspoons powdered gelatin
2 tablespoons cold water
1 bag white tea or 1 tablespoon loose white tea leaves
1 cup boiling water
2 tablespoons sugar (more if you like a sweeter tea)
2 red grapefruits, peeled and segmented
2 white grapefruits, peeled and segmented
1 pomegranate, seeded

In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water. Reserve.
Steep the tea into the boiling water for 2-3 minutes or to the strength you prefer. Add the sugar and reserved gelatin mixture until both are completely dissolved. Let cool a few minutes.
Divide the grapefruit sections and pomegranate seeds evenly among four glasses or ramekins and pour just enough tea jelly to reach the top.
Refrigerate until set, about 2 to 3 hours.

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Comments


Alexandra November 30, 2009 um 5:37 pm

Divino!
Anything that can be paired with Champagne is mine…
I LOVE the your eye for aesthetics–the red on white, white on ivory…so seamless!


Jessica November 30, 2009 um 5:41 pm

This looks so refreshing and a perfect way to use up my poms!


Unknown November 30, 2009 um 5:49 pm

Strikingly beautiful. I love this idea.


Jen Yu November 30, 2009 um 5:51 pm

Ahh, that is the perfect after-Thanksgiving bite. What a brilliant combination of flavors too. I hope you and B could balance the sadness of the recent events with the love of friends and family near and far. Hugs for you both.


Lucy Vaserfirer November 30, 2009 um 6:00 pm

They look like little bowls of jewels! These types of desserts are my favorite to make and eat—so easy and so delicious.


Patricia Scarpin November 30, 2009 um 6:18 pm

I'm so sorry for your loss, sweetie – but I'm glad B. has you by his side in moments like these.

The jellies are so pretty, Helen! I love how they look like gems.
And my favorite food after the excesses of holidays is watermelon – I can eat buckets of it!


Dawn November 30, 2009 um 6:24 pm

I didn't know I was craving this dessert until I saw your beautiful photos. Simply gorgeous.


The Teacher Cooks November 30, 2009 um 6:30 pm

These are absolutely beautiful!! What a great idea!


Laura November 30, 2009 um 6:37 pm

It is always extra sad when a loss happens during a Holiday. I hope time will heal the pain.

I love those little bites, really refreshing and light after all the eating. Did you candy the rinds? Grapefruit zest is great candied.


Finla November 30, 2009 um 6:57 pm

Wow that looks so so beautiful, i have never had something like this, . Too beautiful to eat 🙂


farida November 30, 2009 um 7:29 pm

Interesting recipe. I am sure my palate would welcome it as I am a sucker for anything with pomegranate in it. Plus, it looks so good and sounds so healthy. Thanks for sharing!


Rambling Tart November 30, 2009 um 8:01 pm

Absolutely gorgeous and wonderfully creative! 🙂


pigpigscorner November 30, 2009 um 8:01 pm

Beautiful! Lovley flavours too!


Trissa November 30, 2009 um 8:23 pm

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family too Helen. Sorry to hear about the passing of B's uncle. The jelly looks lovely – I think if I had to detox I would gladly detox on this!


Unknown November 30, 2009 um 8:26 pm

This looks like a truly delicious combination. And guilt free!


S November 30, 2009 um 8:56 pm

Hello,

I love this photos of this recipe. Where did you get the glasses that th gelatin is served in? They're simple and beautiful


FrenchGardenHouse November 30, 2009 um 9:07 pm

I'm so sorry about your B's uncle, it's always sad when one in our family is gone.

Now the recipe, that looks beyond refreshing. I think pretty much anything you make and photograph looks sublime, but this really makes my mouth water. merci.xo Lidy


Cakespy November 30, 2009 um 9:10 pm

They sparkle like little jewels! Gorgeous.


Anita November 30, 2009 um 9:44 pm

These look gorgeous, Helen. Lovely and refreshing.


Mimi November 30, 2009 um 9:49 pm

My sympathies to you and B on the passing of his uncle.
What a refreshing recipe. Perfect to counter act the rich foods that abound during the fall and winter months.
Mimi


Erika from The Pastry Chef At Home November 30, 2009 um 9:49 pm

Gorgeous. A dessert full of antioxidants is my kind of treat.

You remind me…I need to do a detox after the holidays are over!


Baked Alaska November 30, 2009 um 10:29 pm

These fruit jellies look divine! I was also drinking lots of water the day after Thanksgiving. I found myself reaching for any fresh fruit and vegetables I had around. I have a grapefruit and pomegranate in my fridge, just might have to try these. Thanks for the recipe.


Peter G | Souvlaki For The Soul November 30, 2009 um 11:33 pm

Sorry to hear about your bittersweet Thanksgiving Helen. I have to say these look delightful and so beautifully photographed. I look forward to a Spring/Summer version of these!


candice December 1, 2009 um 12:12 am

Oh, that is absolutely gorgeous! I love, love, love the photography. Pomegranate seeds are stunning.


anna December 1, 2009 um 1:38 am

Those look so lovely! Exactly my kind of dessert.


Lori December 1, 2009 um 2:26 am

Sorry for your loss. The passing of a loved oen during a Holiday season is especially difficult.

These desserts are perfectly light treat for after Thanksgiving.


Nads' Bakery December 1, 2009 um 2:50 am

Beautiful!


shaz December 1, 2009 um 2:51 am

Sorry to hear about B's uncle. Glad you had doses of sweet with the bitter. Love these jellies, they're inspiring a few ideas for Christmas (it's berry season over here).


Thorsten December 1, 2009 um 8:37 am

Wonderful series of photos. I like the airy touch they have very much. And what ab easy to make dessert.


peasepudding December 1, 2009 um 9:21 am

They look beautiful Helen, I've had 2 pomegranites sitting in my fruit bowl for a week and still haven't created anything with them! It's such a beautiful fruit but I never know what to do with it, thanks for the recipe.


Gloria December 1, 2009 um 9:51 am

Really a wonderful idea!


Helene December 1, 2009 um 1:58 pm

Laura: yes I did candy the rinds. They're all gone now 🙂

sjp8987: it used to be a set of 8 we got when we were newlyweds (can't remember where though – it was 12 years ago) and we only have 4 remaining from moving a few times.


NKP December 1, 2009 um 2:02 pm

Beautiful! I have my eye on a similar recipe for this week – but yours are so ethereally delightful!
What do I crave after hoisting a few? Carbs and fried things. Egg rolls, pizza..


Mumsy December 1, 2009 um 3:28 pm

I'm so sorry about B's uncle.

I'm so glad you posted this, this morning as I was segmenting a ruby grapefruit for my husband's lunch, I was thinking about how I could combine the grapefruit with pomegranate. This sounds so refreshing after all the heavy pies from last week. 🙂


Anonymous December 1, 2009 um 3:54 pm

Hello! thank you for a beautiful blog 🙂
I have given you a "Best blog award" today, you'll find it in my blog, and I chose your blog because it is simply heaven 🙂
The "task" for you if you accept it, is to pass it forward to 15 new blogs.

Best wishes
Britt Ã…se


José Manuel December 1, 2009 um 8:09 pm

Que maravilla. Acabo de descubrir tu blog y me he he enamorado. Desde España te doy la enhorabuena por tu blog


katrina December 1, 2009 um 9:48 pm

Not only sounds deliciously light and fresh, but stunning photographs!


Shannon December 1, 2009 um 11:37 pm

I love the idea of stonefruit with ginger beer. What beautiful presentation of these jellies.


Sheltie Girl December 2, 2009 um 1:27 am

So beautiful Helen and sound utterly delicious. Happy Thanksgiving!

Natalie @ Gluten A Go Go


Pattern Patisserie December 2, 2009 um 2:56 am

I LOVE jellies…and these are absolutely beautiful!! What a divine combination of flavours!!My Beloved says that he may have to do a jelly intervention one day…this may be the one that puts him over the edge!! Ha ha


Linda@eatshowandtell December 2, 2009 um 6:11 am

It's getting extremely hot here in Sydney, averaging 30 degrees. Your pomegranate and grapefruit jelly seems like the perfect refreshing dessert. With christmas coming up, we're bound to have days of gorging ourselves, eating like we've never eaten before. Usually after christmas, I like to detox on just oranges and lemon tea.


Reni December 2, 2009 um 7:26 am

So beautiful Helen ! The pom seeds look like little gems..
Do you think it would be ok if I use agar powder or konnyaku powder instead of gelatin ? Because it's easier to find agar/konnyaku powder than gelatin here.


multikulinaria December 2, 2009 um 9:46 am

Wow, you make even peels look great!
Got to try that dish. It looks splendid and I love all of it's ingridients…


Ash December 3, 2009 um 3:08 am

so elegant and pretty!!


Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets December 3, 2009 um 5:10 am

What a refreshing treat (both in terms of taste and concept)! After a few days of heavy indulgence, I also reach for lots of fresh juicy fruits and also crave lots of brothy soups.


Engineer Baker December 3, 2009 um 10:39 am

Stone fruits and champagne – yes definitely! I must admit, tea and fruit are my go-to detox things as well – they're light and healthy tasting yet comforting. Perfection.


Ozhan Ozturk December 3, 2009 um 5:59 pm

It looks terrific, and so healthy as well. Thanks for sharing it 🙂

Greetings from the Kitchen of Oz


Kitchen Butterfly December 3, 2009 um 7:10 pm

Wow….I come, I look, I'm bowled over…I don't even have the heart to wreck the recipe by making it cause I know the photos have made me super full. Now off to consider buying some Pomengranates!


Amy J in SC December 3, 2009 um 9:26 pm

What a perfect combo. Makes me yearn for nothing but that now. (And the scrabble too!) Never thought of making a homemade version of those fruit cups but that's ingenious and so much better for you than those sugar filled pre-packaged mostly mushy kind. Thanks for doing all of the work for us to benefit from.


Marilyn December 8, 2009 um 12:55 am

I just put these in the fridge to gelatinize (is that a word?). Can't wait to try them!


alauna December 22, 2009 um 3:55 pm

i just made these last night and they are fabulous! i swoon over every recipe of yours and this one pushed me over the edge. i happened to have a pomegranate and just knew i had to make it.

the tea jelly is SO wonderful and the fruits are tart and perfect. thank you!


Malia December 30, 2009 um 6:34 am

Oh thank you! I used ruby grapefruit, and satsuma sections, with pomegranate seeds. So beautiful, refreshing and simple. Happy New Year!


Cooking Rookie April 5, 2010 um 7:15 pm

Wonderful recipe – so simple, elegant and delicious!


Roslynn January 6, 2011 um 1:40 am

Thank you for this and so many other simply awe inspiring recipes. I've tried it with raspberries and honeybush tea/elderberry syrup jelly. It's setting now, but I'm sure it will taste terrific. Thanks again!


Nancy @ The Sensitive Pantry January 7, 2011 um 2:43 am

This is a great recipe…creative, refreshing. Love it.


Samantha September 20, 2011 um 12:51 am

I can't wait to try this! It is so much simpler than I was expecting!


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