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Lychee Compote with Raspberries and Champagne Gelée

5.0

(4)

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    9 hr

  • Yield

    Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

For Champagne gelée

1 cup sugar
3 cups Champagne or other sparkling wine
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin (less than 3 envelopes)
1 tablespoon strained fresh lemon juice

For lychee compote

1 lb fresh lychees or 1 (15-oz) can, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, or to taste
1/2 pint raspberries

Preparation

  1. Make gelée:

    Step 1

    Lightly oil a 9-inch square baking pan and line with plastic wrap, leaving an overhang. Combine sugar and 1 1/2 cups Champagne in a small saucepan and sprinkle gelatin over mixture. Let gelatin stand 1 minute to soften.

    Step 2

    Cook over moderate heat, gently stirring occasionally (vigorous stirring will create too much foam), just until sugar and gelatin are dissolved.

    Step 3

    Slowly pour into a metal bowl set in a larger bowl of ice and cold water and cool, stirring occasionally. Slowly add lemon juice and remaining 1 1/2 cups Champagne, stirring just until combined. Let stand 5 minutes, then skim foam.

    Step 4

    Continue to cool mixture, gently stirring occasionally, until it mounds slightly, about 20 minutes. Transfer to baking pan and chill, covered, until firm, at least 8 hours.

  2. Make compote while gelée chills:

    Step 5

    Peel lychees. Make a lengthwise slit in each and remove pit, leaving pulp as intact as possible.

    Step 6

    Heat lychees, sugar, water, and lemon juice in a small saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, just until sugar is dissolved. Transfer to a medium bowl and chill at least 2 hours.

  3. Just before serving:

    Step 7

    Invert gelée onto a cutting board, discarding plastic wrap, then trim edges. Cut gelée into 1/2-inch cubes and add to compote with raspberries. Gently mix with a rubber spatula.

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