The Most Original and Refined Recipes with Edible Gold Leaf
Edible gold leaf has been a luxurious and opulent ingredient in culinary arts for centuries. It symbolises wealth and sophistication.
This delicate, tasteless, and non-toxic gold is applied to various dishes, elevating their visual appeal and providing a touch of elegance. Let’s look at some of the best recipes out there, only with real gold leaf!
A Royal Soup Experience
Golden Carrot Ginger Soup is a refined dish that blends hearty flavours with the elegance of edible leaves. Begin by warming oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the leeks until they’re slightly softened, about 3 minutes.
Add the carrots, potato, ginger, and continue sautéing for another 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Pour the broth, cover partially, and simmer for about 20 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
Puree the soup in batches using a food processor or blender, leaving some texture. Return the soup to the saucepan and heat over medium. Stir in the orange juice and zest, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle the soup into warmed bowls. Place a dollop of sour cream in the centre of each bowl.
Golden Pasta
This stunning dish shows that the edible gold leaf can be used in a variety of ways. It combines traditional Italian flavours with the luxury of edible gold leaf.
The preparation starts with making a flavorful pesto. Fresh basil and garlic are finely minced in a food processor or blender. Olive oil is slowly added while the machine runs to ensure it’s fully absorbed.
Next, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper are mixed in, followed by coarsely chopped pine nuts.
The pesto is transferred to a bowl, and olive oil is poured on top to prevent darkening. It can be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container and brought to room temperature before use.
A large pot of water is brought to a boil for the pasta. The pasta is cooked in boiling, lightly salted water until slightly firm. After draining it well, a small amount of olive oil is added to prevent sticking.
Decorating the plate requires careful attention. A portion of linguini is placed at the centre of the plate. Diced tomatoes are spaced around the rim.
Each piece of tomato is lightly tapped with another piece to leave a small amount of moisture. This moisture helps the flakes or dust stick.
Gold flakes or dust are then dabbed onto the moist areas with a sharp knife, creating a luxurious effect. A generous portion of pesto is placed on the linguini, and additional dust flakes are sprinkled on top.
A Wealthy Dessert
Golden Chocolate Mousse is a luxurious dessert that blends rich flavours with the sophistication of edible gold leaf. Use a bowl over a double boiler at a low simmer and place the chocolate inside. Mix until melted, remove from the heat, and let it rest.
Beat the cream over ice until it gets soft and forms peaks, then set it aside at room temperature.
Beat the egg whites with a mixer until soft peaks form. Add the sugar little by little and beat until the mixture becomes firm.
Take the chocolate that has melted off the double boiler. Use a whisk to fold in the whisked egg whites. Add the whipped cream and mix in gently when almost combined.
The mousse should be covered and chilled for approximately one hour to solidify. Dust some flakes over the mousse, rim the edge of the serving glass, and serve. For a different presentation, pour it into a graham cracker pie shell and decorate the top with edible flakes or dust.