Hot Tomato Aspic Salad
A tangy hot tomato aspic salad featuring peas, onion juice, celery, and Ro-Tel, perfect for those who enjoy bold flavors with a refreshing, savory twist.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Buy the whole Ro-Tel and remove the small hard core of tomatoes before blending.
- Prepare onion juice by finely grating onion into a thin cloth and squeezing out the juice. In spring, you can use finely chopped sweet Vidalia onions instead.
- Combine lemon jell-o, cider vinegar, onion juice, and salt in a saucepan and heat until the jell-o dissolves completely.
- Add peas, celery, and the prepared Ro-Tel to the mixture.
- Pour the hot mixture into molds or serving dishes and chill until set.
- Serve the aspic salad cold as a refreshing appetizer or side dish.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist, consider adding diced bell peppers or jalapeños for a spicy kick. If you prefer a vegetarian option, replace chicken broth with vegetable broth when preparing the aspic. You can also substitute the lemon jell-o with lime jell-o for a different flavor profile. When blending the Ro-Tel, ensure it's smooth to create a uniform texture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this vibrant aspic salad as a refreshing appetizer or side dish at your next gathering. It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats or alongside a light salad like Vinegar Slaw. For a complete meal, consider serving it with crusty bread or alongside a fruit salad such as No Sugar Mandarin Salad.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover aspic salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the texture changes slightly after chilling, simply slice it and serve as a salad. Do not freeze, as the gelatin may separate and alter the consistency when thawed.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Hot Tomato Aspic Salad contains roughly 35 calories, with 2g protein, 8g carbohydrates, and 0g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (25% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. It also contributes 3g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! This salad can be made a day in advance. Just ensure it is fully set before covering it and storing it in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making it even more delicious when served.
What can I use instead of Ro-Tel?
If you can't find Ro-Tel, you can use diced tomatoes with green chilies or simply canned diced tomatoes. Just ensure to add some chopped green chilies separately to replicate the flavor profile that Ro-Tel brings to the dish.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
While the original recipe contains gelatin from the lemon jell-o, you can substitute it with a vegan-friendly gelatin alternative, such as agar-agar, to make it suitable for vegan diets. Just follow the package instructions for the correct measurements.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).