Christmas

Beet Herb Salad (in Jello Form)

December  8, 2015
4
2 Ratings
Photo by Mark Weinberg
  • Makes one 6-cup Jello mold
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Ingredients
  • For the first layer (beet):
  • 1/2 cup cold beet juice
  • 1 packet (1 tablespoon) unflavored gelatin powder
  • 1 cup boiling-hot beet juice
  • 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • For the second layer (herb and lemon):
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 1 packet (1 tablespoon) unflavored gelatin powder
  • 1 cup boiling-hot water
  • 1 cup mixture of fresh herbs of choice (parsley, basil, chives, dill, cilantro, you pick!)
  • Zest of 2 lemons
  • Salt and pepper
  • Rye crispbread, sour cream, thinly sliced green apples, sunflower sprouts, or the like, for serving
Directions
  1. For the first layer (beet):
  2. Put the cold beet juice in a large bowl and sprinkle the gelatin evenly over. Let sit for 2 minutes so the gelatin absorbs the juice.
  3. Then add the boiling hot beet juice to the bowl, along with the balsamic vinegar, and stir to combine.
  4. Pour into a 6-cup Jello mold and move to the fridge to set. Move onto the second layer.
  1. For the second layer (herb and lemon):
  2. Put the cold water in a large bowl and sprinkle the gelatin evenly over. Let sit for 2 minutes so the gelatin absorbs the liquid.
  3. Then add the boiling-hot water to the bowl and stir to combine. Move the bowl to the fridge until it has the consistency of a gel.
  4. When the gel is ready, put it in a blender with the herbs, lemon zest, and a few pinches of salt and pepper. Blend until the mixture is combined and smooth. Taste it; does it taste good? If not, season accordingly.
  5. Gently pour the second layer over the now-set first layer and move back into the fridge, where it should stay until it's firm to the touch.
  6. To unmold, dunk the Jello mold in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes, then invert into a big plate.
  7. To serve, schmear sour cream on some crispbread, top with apple, then a slice of Jello, then greens. Of course you don't have to eat it this way, but it's mighty palatable.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

6 Reviews

Avital L. March 12, 2020
I loved this recipe, thank you! Have you made any other jello salads?
garywtsnd July 26, 2017
Where can I get a mold like the one used to make the salad in the photo?
Ami December 18, 2015
What's "beet juice"? Is it the water from boiling beets? Or should I boil beets and blend it with the water? I'm going to a potluck Christmas party with the 70's theme. This is so darn perfect. Thank you!
Ali S. December 18, 2015
Beet juice is something you can just buy at the market (Whole Foods will have it). This is the one I used: http://www.shoporganic.com/product/lakewood-organic-super-beet-juice-32oz/sd_kosher_beverages?gclid=CKfUr5_z5ckCFdAXHwodMQEKXg
Ami December 18, 2015
Wow, I never knew there was such a thing. Thank you!
Ali S. December 18, 2015
Let me know how it goes!!