Vegetarian Jelly Shots

No. of servings:  4	Setting Time:  3 hrs
Preparation Time:  10 mins	Cook Time:  45 mins

This is only one example for making and presenting this delish vegetarian jelly. One can get as creative as can be with this recipe!  All store-bought jellies will take a back seat upon finding a preferred combination of flavors.  Working with this medium is pretty easy when all the tips are followed while making it.

Ingredients:

• Beetroot - 1 medium (or) half large
• Water - 2 cups
• Milk (or) Vegan milk - 1 cup
• Agar Agar flakes - 7 tsp - separated
• Sugar - 7.5 tsp - separated
• Salt - 1 pinch
• Rosewater - 1 tsp

Method:

Layer 1

• Wash and put the whole beet on a trivet in a pressure cooker vessel 
• Add a cup of water to the bottom and cook ('Pressure' mode 14 mins in IP)
• Peel and chop the beetroot
• In a blender make a pure of the beets with half a cup of water
• Pour it out to a vessel and whisk the rest of the water in the blender jar and pour into the puree
• Start heating the liquid and when it starts bubbling, add 5 tsp of the agar agar flakes to it 
• Keep stirring to avoid clumping
• Let it boil for a couple of minutes
• Bring down the heat and keep cooking for another 8-10 minutes (until the flakes dissolve well into the liquid)
• Add 5 tsp of sugar and continue to stir
• After sugar melts and dissolves well, add the pinch of salt 
• Pour out the liquid into cups immediately
• Pour a small quantity to a smaller cup.  After setting, this can be cubed to top the shot glasses 
• Work fast with the liquid or it will cool down and not set well
• Be sure to not trap air bubbles

Layer 2

• In another vessel, heat the milk
• When it starts to boil, add 2 tsp of the agar agar flakes to it 
• Keep stirring to avoid clumping
• Let it boil for a couple of minutes
• Bring down the heat and keep cooking for another 8-10 minutes (until the flakes dissolve well into the liquid)
• Add 2.5 tsp of sugar and continue to stir
• After sugar melts and dissolves well, stir in the rose water
• Pour out the liquid on top of the first layer immediately
• Ensure that the top of the previous layer is somewhat set (not completely set)
• Pour this layer gently, without breaking through the top portion of the previous layer

Setting:

• After it comes to room temperature, cover the cups and set it in the refrigerator for at least 3 hrs
• Cube the beet jelly in the tiny cup 
• Serve chilled with small beet jelly cubes on the top

Tips and Tricks:

• Peeling cooked beets is easier than peeling raw ones
• Whisking the water in the jar makes cleanup easy and doesn't waste the content either
• Agar agar has to melt completely into the liquid before pouring out
• If the previous layer has not slightly tightened before pouring the next layer, the second color will bleed through and compromise the presentation 
• Can get creative with the presentation with different colored liquids and fruits even! 

Pictures: 

Final Outcome: