Saveur

View Gallery Photo: Andre Baranowski

SERVES 6

This is an easy-to-prepare first course that captures the essence of summer.

6 medium tomatoes, quartered
2 1⁄2 tsp. unflavored powdered gelatin
1⁄4 cup bottled tomato juice
3 tbsp. freshly squeezed orange juice
1 1⁄2 tsp. kosher salt
3⁄4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

1. Working over a bowl, grate tomatoes using the large-hole side of a box grater; discard skins. Strain pulp and juice through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into a bowl; press gently to extract all the liquid. You should have about 2 cups. (Discard solids.)

2. Pour 2⁄3 cup water into a small pot; sprinkle gelatin over water; let soften, 1–2 minutes. Heat mixture over medium-low heat, stirring, to dissolve gelatin, 1–2 minutes. Remove from heat; add 1⁄2 cup reserved fresh tomato juice; stir to combine. Add remaining fresh tomato juice, bottled tomato juice, orange juice, salt, and pepper; stir well.

3. Divide mixture between six 3⁄4-cup bowls; let chill, covered, until set, 5–6 hours. Garnish with basil leaves.

This article was first published in Saveur in Issue #108