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Chilled Grape Soup

Image may contain Bowl Food Dish Meal and Soup Bowl
Photo by Romulo Yanes

The gelatin in this refreshing dessert soup sets just enough to give it body but not bounce. All kinds of grapes work beautifully as garnishes for this soup; it's worth seeking out unusual varieties, however, for the extra character.

Cooks' notes:

· Soup (without grated zest and grapes) can be chilled up to 12 hours. Add zest and grapes just before serving. · A metal spoon is the correct tool for stirring gelatin; a wooden one might transfer oils, and a whisk might incorporate tiny bubbles.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    8 1/2 hr (includes chilling)

  • Yield

    Makes 6 dessert servings

Ingredients

1 (2-inch) cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves
10 black peppercorns
2 (2- by 1-inch) strips fresh lemon zest
2 (2- by 1-inch) strips fresh orange zest
1/2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin (from one 1/4-oz envelope)
1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon white grape juice
1 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup sugar
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
2 cups mixed grapes, stemmed, seeded if necessary, and sliced (lengthwise or crosswise)

Special Equipment

a 5-inch square of cheesecloth; kitchen string

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Put cinnamon stick, cloves, peppercorns, and zest strips on cheesecloth and tie it closed.

    Step 2

    Sprinkle gelatin over 1 tablespoon grape juice in a small cup and let soften about 1 minute.

    Step 3

    Bring wine, remaining 1 1/2 cups white grape juice, sugar, nutmeg, and cheesecloth bag to a boil in a 1- to 2-quart saucepan, then remove from heat and add gelatin mixture, stirring with a metal spoon (see cooks' note, below) until dissolved.

    Step 4

    Transfer soup to a bowl and chill, covered, in a larger bowl of ice and cold water in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours.

    Step 5

    Just before serving, discard cheesecloth bag and add grated zest and grapes to soup.

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