From Hannibal · 2013-2015 · Reconstructed
Sow's Blood Consommé with Suspended Tomatoes
Serve when
Serve as Hannibal describes it: a clear, dark broth with tomatoes suspended inside, poured tableside.
In the series
Season 1
- S1E7 · 00:40:20 Hannibal explains his technique for a blood consommé — centrifuging sow's blood to separate the liquid, then serving it with tomatoes in suspension
In the series
This is Hannibal at his most technical: a classical clarification technique explained almost like a chemistry lesson, applied to an ingredient most cooks would never touch. It's also, structurally, the dish that sets up the dinner party to come — by the time this consommé is poured, the show has already told you, calmly, exactly how far Hannibal is willing to go for a clean broth.
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the blood into the cold stock along with the egg whites, carrot, celery, and onion — this "raft" of vegetables and egg white is what clarifies the broth.
- Bring the mixture slowly to a bare simmer without stirring, letting a solid raft form on top as the proteins coagulate. Simmer gently for 45 minutes; the broth beneath should clarify to a deep, glassy red-brown.
- Ladle the clarified consommé through a cheesecloth-lined strainer without disturbing the raft, then season with salt.
- Squeeze the bloomed gelatin dry and stir it into a small portion of the warm consommé to dissolve, then combine it back with the rest — this is what keeps the halved tomatoes "in suspension" rather than sinking.
- Divide the cherry tomato halves among warmed bowls, pour the consommé over while it's still fluid, and let it set just enough to hold the tomatoes in place before serving.
Substitutions
- Sow's blood: Fresh pork blood can be special-ordered from a butcher who processes whole hogs; if it isn't available, a very dark beef consommé (skip the blood entirely, add a spoonful of reduced balsamic for color and depth) gives a similar color and richness without the specialty ingredient.
- Gelatin sheets: Powdered unflavored gelatin works the same way — bloom 2 teaspoons in 2 tablespoons of cold water before dissolving it into the warm broth.