Powdered aspic (clarification)

I am actually looking for ASPIC. Not gelatin.

Here is the wiki article on aspic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspic

Aspic is different from gelatin. Gelatin is unflavored where as aspic is by definition flavored, generally with chicken or beef.

Aspic is basically stock + gelatin and I am looking for the instant kind of aspic. It comes as a powder in a pouch within a small box.

It is easy to find in France but I have never seen it here. Any info on finding this instant aspic would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Marc

Isn't "powdered aspic" just plain ol' gelatin?

Hi,

You can buy unflavored gelatin in bulk at the Home Economist, which is much cheaper than Knorr's wee packets.

Home Economist
9159 Gross Point Rd
(between Church St & Lamon Ave)
Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 674-7252

Regards,

I suppose technically it would be powdered boullion-flavored gelatin, though. I haven't seen it, but you could get the same results using powdered plain gelatin and stock (or dried boullion I suppose) of your choice as the liquid. I have seen the Knorr boullion at latin stores.

Hi,

There was a discussion on gelatin sheets for your consideration.

Regards,

marcwitham wrote:I am actually looking for ASPIC. Not gelatin.

Here is the wiki article on aspic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspic

Aspic is different from gelatin. Gelatin is unflavored where as aspic is by definition flavored, generally with chicken or beef.

There's a good reason we're not allowed to use Wikipedia as a resource when writing textbooks. It's either not quite reliable or not really complete.

For all intents and purposes, aspic is gelatin. Originally, it was a meat-flavored substance, because boiling animals is where you get gelatin. Over time, the word "aspic" came to apply to any flavored dishes that used gelatin.

Here's a history that is a bit more complete than the one in Wikipedia (to quote myself):
http://www.hungrymag.com/2008/10/27/all-about-aspic/

I think the closest you'd come to finding an "aspic" that is still rather like the original would be to buy consommé. Not powdered, but meat flavored and loaded with gelatin. Other than that, every aspic I've ever encountered (other than that which naturally occurs when I boil some critter for soup) is just made from gelatin with flavoring of some sort added -- from tomato juice to broth to flavor concentrates.

There may be some restaurant supply store that produces pre-flavored gelatin, and I hope you'll let us know if you find it. But you are in no way compromising a recipe by using gelatin and adding hot broth.

Some googling revealed the Knorr aspic you're searching for: doesn't look like it's available in the US. Can I ask what your end-use is? I'm certain you could create a reasonable facimile by combining boullion and powdered gelatin.

I wonder if that Knorr product is what the OP is looking for. I followed the link, and the site says it can be used for producing savory or sweet preparations (fruit jelly is suggested, and "related recipes" are blueberry mousse, vanilla cream, and other confections). So my guess is it's just gelatin again -- because one wouldn't use meat-flavored aspic to prepare fruit jelly.

Here's the French version of the Knorr product. At least the web page is named "Knorr Gelée" and the caption above the package reads "Knorr Gelée" (which means "Knorr aspic"), although the packaging itself says "Sulze," which, I think, is a type of headcheese.

Anyhow, the ingredients for that aspic product are:

Gelatin, salt, sugar, MSG, vegetable broth (with soy), yeast extract, citric acid, maltodextrin, spices

I suspect a mix of gelatin and powdered bullion can be used to the exact same effect.

Binko wrote:I suspect a mix of gelatin and powdered bullion can be used to the exact same effect.

Again, the Home Economist comes to mind because they have bulk beef and chicken boullion powder and gelatin. Probably fiddle with the proportions to find what you like.

I would check stores like Bobak's that cater to European immigrant tastes, because they often have products not generally found in American markets. Otherwise do what I do: have your European friends mail you the food products you cannot find here.

Regards,

Found a version of it at Bobak's:



(Translation: Dr. Oetker's gelatin with bullion and spices. For meat and fish. Easy and quick, super clear.)

They also have this at Gilmart and, I suspect, at many other Polish groceries. At Bobak's, it was in the dessert/baking section of the aisle, next to the fruit gelatins and pudding powders. Judging by the ingredients, it's the same as the Knorr product.

Bobak Sausage Co
5275 S Archer Ave
Chicago, IL 60632
(773) 735-5334

Gilmart
5050 S Archer Ave
Chicago, IL 60632
(773) 585-5514