Valerie Gordon opened Valerie Confections in South Silverlake with her partner Stan Weightman Jr. back in 2004. The couple also recently opened Valerie Grand Central Market and Valerie Echo Park. And now Valerie can add a cookbook to her list of accolades. This recipe for Champagne Gelée comes from Sweet, her new cookbook that celebrates dessert and confections.
If you aren’t lucky enough to have gold-rimmed Dorothy Thorpe glasses and a gold spoon like the ones in the photo, Valerie suggests serving it in a similar see-through vessel so you can capture the beautiful champagne color. While it can be made ahead, you want to take it out of the fridge right before you serve it as the structure of the dessert will begin to wilt at room temperature.
An interview with Valerie Gordon about her book will air on this week’s Good Food.
Gelée sounds so much more sophisticated and elegant than the word “gelatin.” We all grew up with the packaged variety in those electric colors with flavors like orange and lime. Dispel that notion of gelatin; this version is far more delicious and impressive. Use your favorite Champagne or sparkling wine.
Serves 6
1 tablespoon plus 3/4 teaspoon powdered gelatin
3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons (7.5 ounces) cold water
1 cup (7 ounces) sugar
1 bottle (750 ml) Champagne, chilled
1. Sprinkle the gelatin over the 3 tablespoons water in a small bowl, and let sit for 10 minutes, until the gelatin softens.
2. Combine the remaining 3/4 cup water and the sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat.
3. Add the gelatin to the sugar syrup, stirring until it has dissolved. Pour into a large pitcher. Pour the Champagne into the pitcher and stir with a long spoon.
4. Pour the gelée into glasses or small glass bowls and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours, until set.
Storing
The gelée can be refrigerated, covered with plastic wrap, for up to 3 days.
TIP: Adding strawberries, sliced if large, and raspberries, is a delicious way to vary this recipe. Add the berries to the glasses before refrigerating the gelée. If you add berries, it is best to serve the gelées the day they are made, as the berries can darken and break down, and the effect will not be as pretty.
Excerpted from Sweet by Valerie Gordon (Artisan Books). Copyright © 2013. Photographs by Peden + Munk.