SUMMER-BERRY BASIL KISSEL

Summer-Berry Basil Kissel image

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

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1 vanilla bean
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups sweet Muscat such as Val d'Orbieu St.-Jean-de-Minervois
5 cups picked-over blackberries
4 cups picked-over raspberries
1 1/4 cups packed fresh basil sprigs
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste
Accompaniment: crème fraîche or sour cream

Steps:

Split vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape seeds into a bowl, reserving pod for another use. Whisk in sugar, cornstarch, and salt until combined well.
In a saucepan simmer Muscat and 1/8 cup each type of berry 2 minutes. Drain mixture in a sieve set over a bowl, reserving liquid. Transfer cooked berries to a large bowl and stir in remaining fresh berries. Coarsely chop basil.
Gradually whisk reserved hot liquid into sugar mixture until smooth. Transfer mixture to pan and stir in basil. Bring mixture to a boil, whisking, and simmer, whisking, 3 minutes. Immediately pour mixture through sieve into berries, discarding basil, and stir until combined well. Stir in lemon juice. Divide kissel among 6 bowls. Chill kissel, covered, at least 2 hours, or until cold, and up to 2 days.
Serve kissel with crème fraîche or sour cream.