I love cooking what my characters have made, so when I came across Milly’s letter describing her attempts to make wine gelatins in the fancy Metropol hotel, I knew I’d have to try them.
Milly didn’t say how she made hers, other than swiping some wine from a traveling American saleswoman, so I improvised. Because I don’t eat meat, my recipe is vegetarian, while Milly most likely used gelatin (an animal by-product). She probably didn’t have fresh whipped cream either, but hey, we’re fancy.
These were easy to make, so if you want to get yourself in a Salt the Snow mood, give it a try.
Ingredients (to make three tea-cups’ worth):
1 1/2 cups wine (I used a red blend; Milly used red too. But these would be good with any!)
1/2 cup sugar
1 rounded tsp agar agar (vegetarian gelatin replacement; it gives a much softer texture than gelatin too, so I think is a better result regardless)
splash of vanilla
It doesn’t take much to make these gems!
Pour the wine and sugar into a small pan, then heat over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
Pour in the agar agar, stir constantly for two minutes.
Remove from heat and pour into your tea cups (or bowls).
Chill overnight, or until set. Just before eating, top with fresh whipped cream. (Cream plus a little bit of sugar, whipped with a hand mixer until soft peaks form.)
The final texture is smooth and the flavor is sweet but not cloying. Sort of like wine jam.
Enjoy!