Jellied Tongue for the Year of the Rat New Year
Description
The appetizer comes together quickly and easily. A colorful, tasty aspic made from tongue, decorated with a fun little mouse—every guest and family member will want to try it, so prepare several small plates of this dish. Buy several pork tongues, or one large one, so there is enough for everyone. Do not forget the horseradish and mustard—without them, serving the aspic will not be the same. The appetizer is ready. Serve immediately.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Prepare the listed ingredients.
- 2
Step 2
Rinse the pork tongue in water. Place it in a kazan or a pot with a nonstick bottom. Peel the carrot and onion, rinse them, and add them to the tongue. Add salt and bay leaves, 7 peppercorns. Pour in warm water and put it on the stove over maximum heat. As soon as foam forms, skim it off with a slotted spoon, reduce the heat slightly, and simmer the tongue until tender, about 1.5 hours, with the pot covered.
- 3
Step 3
Remove the cooked tongue from the broth and scrape off the skin with a sharp knife.
- 4
Step 4
Strain part of the broth through a fine-mesh strainer.
- 5
Step 5
Pour the gelatin into it and let it swell for about 5–10 minutes, then stir thoroughly until the gelatin has completely dissolved in the liquid. Remember that the broth must be warm!
- 6
Step 6
Cut the boiled onion and carrot (set aside some carrot to garnish the Mouse). Slice the boiled tongue and arrange the slices in a deep container.
- 7
Step 7
Pour in the broth with gelatin and arrange the dill sprigs. Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour. The aspic will set faster if you put it in the freezer for 20–30 minutes—the main thing is not to forget it there!
- 8
Step 8
Cut a portion from the side of a boiled egg and place the egg on the cut side so it does not roll. Slice the carrot into round slices, make small cuts in the egg, and insert the ears. Shape a tail from the carrot. Use peppercorns for the eyes and nose. Place the mouse on the tongue aspic when serving for the New Year's table. The second boiled egg is a spare, in case you do not get the mouse right on the first try.