Not everyone knows that pastille is an original Russian dessert, which was first prepared in the 15th century. The benefits of this delicacy are explained by the chemical composition of berry or fruit puree, which underlies the sweetness. Since berries are practically not subject to heat treatment, vitamins and minerals are fully preserved in the dessert. That is why we can affirmatively say that pastille is not only tasty, but also very healthy. Moreover, preparing a treat is not at all difficult.
In our article, we will talk about how to make currant pastille at home. To do this, we offer different options for its preparation: in the air, in the oven and in the electric dryer.
Traditional recipe for delicious pastille
For the preparation of this delicacy, you do not need to purchase special devices, and sugar can not be added to dessert, so that it becomes even more useful. The only thing you need to stock up on is patience. At home, it takes almost a week to prepare sweets.
The recipe for homemade currant pastille is to perform the following actions:
- Berries are thoroughly washed and cleaned of ponytails and leaves.
- Currants are transferred to a colander and lowered into a pot with hot water for 5 minutes. This must be done in order to make the berries softer.
- After the water drains, the cooled currant is brought to a puree condition using a blender.
- A saucepan with mashed berry is placed on the stove and cooked over low heat until its contents are halved in volume. 100 g of sugar is added to the warm puree (based on 1 kg of currant).
- In the meantime, prepare a baking sheet for pastille. To do this, it is carefully covered with cling film.
- The slightly cooled mashed potatoes are laid out on a baking sheet, which immediately goes to the sun.
- The pastille dries for 4 days on one side, after which it needs to be turned over and drying is continued for another 2 days.
- The pastille can be considered finished when it ceases to stick to the hands.
How to cook pastille in the oven?
An equally delicious dessert of berry puree can be prepared according to the following recipe. To begin with, currants (1 kg) are poured into a pan with 100 ml of water and boiled for 10 minutes. Then the soft berries are crushed in a blender or passed through a meat grinder. After that, the resulting mass is ground through a sieve. The result should be a homogeneous smoothie. Now you need to add 300 g of sugar and 1 egg whipped protein to it. To stir thoroughly.
The oven warms up to 100 °. The baking sheet is covered with parchment, and berry puree is laid out on it. In the oven, currant pastille is baked for 2 hours, after which it should be pulled out for 1 hour and left at room temperature. Repeat the same steps 3 more times. For the last time, leave the pastille on a table in the room until it dries completely, then turn it on the other side and dry for another 1 hour.
Blackcurrant marshmallow in an electric dryer
Appetizing sweet delicacy rolls sprinkled with plenty of icing sugar can be prepared according to the following recipe. Black currant paste is prepared from ripe and soft berries, with almost no added sugar (2 tbsp.). If desired, this ingredient can be completely eliminated.
First of all, berry puree is prepared. For this, currants are thoroughly washed and chopped with a blender to the desired consistency. The resulting mass should be boiled for 5 minutes and, if necessary, add sugar at this stage. Now the puree is laid out on parchment, which is immediately transferred to the dryer tray. Currant pastille is cooked for about 5 hours. It should become stiff and stop sticking to your hands.
Redcurrant marshmallow
A healthy treat with a wonderful sweet and sour taste is obtained according to the following recipe. To begin with, berries (1 kg) are peeled from twigs and leaves, transferred to a pan and boiled with a small amount of water (100 ml) for about 20 minutes. Hot currants are ground through a sieve, combined with sugar (600 g) and boiled until thick. After this, the mass should be cooled and thoroughly beat with a blender.
Redcurrant pastille is dried in an electric dryer for at least 12 hours. If necessary, you can hold it a little in the air, and then still dry.
The most useful pastille
At home, currant pastille according to this recipe is prepared in a cold way, that is, without heat treatment of berries. This allows you to save all the useful vitamins that are found in currants in full.
To prepare the pastille, the berries are crushed with a blender or passed through a meat grinder. Then, in the resulting puree, you can add to your taste a couple of tablespoons of sugar. The mass is quite thick, so you can not boil it. The baking sheet is covered with baking paper, currant puree is laid out on top. The pastille should dry in the sun, and so that insects and dust do not sit on it, it is recommended to cover the baking sheet with gauze on top. After 1-2 days, the dried layer is flipped to the other side. The finished pastille rolls into a roll and is wrapped in parchment.
Cooking secrets
The following recommendations will help make a delicious blackcurrant pastille:
- In order for the pastille to dry as quickly as possible, lay the berry puree on the parchment should be as thin as possible.
- If you prefer to dry a treat in the oven, do not forget to periodically remove the pan and leave it in the air for at least 1 hour.
- Ready marshmallows can be stored all winter. To do this, they roll it into rolls and wrap it in parchment, or ready-made layers are layered with the same baking paper.