I had a great time playing with the posset possibilities. The Posset-bilities, as it were. Even though this is a cream-based dessert, the flavor was bright and lemony and absolutely would work well with lime and maybe even passion fruit, although I haven’t tried it.
Since we had lovely blueberries from our produce box, and since lemon and blueberries go together like Forrest and Jenny, I made a quick blueberry gelée to pair with the posset. If that sounds scary, don’t let it intimidate you. I just cooked down blueberries with some sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice and salt. Once it was all bubbly and lovely, I pressed it through a fine mesh strainer–I didn’t even need to blend it first since I’d been smashing the wee berries all along as they cooked—and then added some gelatin bloomed in a tablespoon of cold water. That was it.
Mrslarkin’s original posset recipe called for only three ingredients: cream, sugar and lemon juice. I added salt and finished it with a splash of vanilla, just to round out the flavor. I had a bit of a revelation about the posset as I was boiling the cream and sugar together. The burbling mixture looked and smelled like sweetened condensed milk (SCM) which made me think that key lime pie filling is just a posset enriched with egg yolk. The yolks make the posset sliceable and therefore suitable for a pie filling. Without the yolks, the posset sets to a creamy pudding-like consistency. Spoonable, but not sliceable. But lighter on the palate without the yolks. My next experiment is to see if SCM will thicken up with the addition of acid but without being heated up. I’m thinking yes, and if that’s so, this might just be the easiest dessert idea ever. Whisk together some SCM and lemon or lime juice with a touch of salt and then pour into Vessels. Chill for at least 2 hours. That’s it. (I found a no-cook posset, here. I haven’t tested it, but at least I know one exists. Yay)!
I’m not saying it will definitely work, but I’m going to give it a shot. For now though, know that the posset as written does work and is Delightful. It’s perfect on its own, so the blueberry gelée really is gilding the lily.
But what fun is it to leave the lilies alone, I ask you?
Here’s what I did.
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1⅓ cups sugar
- 7½ Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- zest of one lemon
- kosher salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 8oz. fresh blueberries
- 2½ Tablespoons sugar
- heavy pinch of salt–seriously. Probably almost ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt
- zest from ½ lemon
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (no need to measure–a squirt or two will do)
- ½ teaspoon plain gelatin bloomed in 1 Tablespoon of cold water
- In a pan that is much larger than you need, heat the cream and sugar over medium-high heat.
- Add a bit of salt and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Turn the heat down and let the cream simmer for 5 minutes. Watch the cream carefully and remove from the heat if it looks like it’s going to boil over. See notes.
- After 5 minutes, remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice, zest and vanilla. Taste and add more salt, if necessary.
- Let sit for fifteen minutes, then transfer to a large liquid measure and pour into serving vessels of choice.
- Refrigerate until the tops are firm, about 30 minutes, before topping with about a Tablespoon or so of the gelée. Then, refrigerate for at least another 2 hours and preferably overnight before serving.
- Place all the ingredients except for the gelatin and cold water in a heavy bottomed sauce pan.
- Turn the heat to medium and cook, smashing down on the berries so they release their juices.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat so that the berries simmer happily for about half an hour, or until the mixture gets slightly syrupy.
- Strain the berries through a fine mesh strainer, pressing down hard on the solids. You will have about ¾ cup of puree.
- Whisk in the bloomed gelatin. Cool to room temperature before using.
If you don’t want to go the gelée route, just pile on some fresh berries after the posset sets up. I made that fancy-schmancy angle by setting the glass in a cake pan before pouring in the posset.
I’m telling you guys, this Food52sdays series is the Most Fun Ever. Every recipe inspiration has been great, and we have honestly enjoyed every interpretation we’ve come up with. If you cooked along this week, please post your link in the comments or over on the facebook fan page. If you haven’t participated yet, I hope you decide to–it really is a lot of fun.
Oh look! The lovely Terra from Cafe Terra made a great lime/strawberry version over at her place. Nice!
Thanks for reading, and have a lovely day.
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