I saw a terrine recipe that looks interesting, but it calls for aspic. I'm not sure I can get hold of the bits and pieces I would need for that. Could I just dissolve a few envelopes of gelatin and use that instead?
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1I always thought that aspic was gelatin. (maybe not refined gelatin, but that it was the major part of it)– JoeJan 27, 2019 at 11:49
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1Right. That's why I'm asking: aspic is sort of homemade meat jelly. So I'm wondering whether plain, neutral gelatin from the supermarket would get the job done.– crmdgnJan 27, 2019 at 11:52
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3Gelatin is the setting agent in aspic; so [though I've never tried this so can't provide an answer] you might consider gelatine in stock as a 'quick fix'.– TetsujinJan 27, 2019 at 11:55
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I also think aspic is a food composed/plated and served in gelatin as it is or sliced. Aspic are indeed gelstin- sealed terrines and the likes.– AlchimistaJan 27, 2019 at 13:37
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1Posting the recipe will help to find the correct substitution. Usually "aspic" is the gelatin from broth and also the dishes made with this gelatine.– roetnigJan 28, 2019 at 17:54
2 Answers
Aspic is a type of stock which is high in gelatin, and which sets into a jelly when cooled. Unflavored gelatin will have basically the same mechanical properties as aspic, as long as the gelatin concentration is roughly the same (1/2 tbsp of dry gelatin will set about a cup of liquid). But the taste will be very different, of course: Aspic tastes like whatever it's made from, and unflavored gelatin will taste like nothing. So if you plan to use gelatin, it would be best to use stock instead of water when making it.
There are many recipes for terrines that use gelatin to bind them. Maybe look at a few of them so that you can zero in on the right amount for the quantity of other ingredients that you are using. I've seen 2 tsp to 4 3/4 tsp. This refers to powdered gelatin. If you are using sheet or leaf gelatin you will want to identify the strength (bloom), and be sure you are using an equivalent strength and amount.