Berry Terrine

Summer berries set in a fragrant jiggly jelly make this a light and elegant dessert that also packs some compelling nutrition!  Not only are mint and berries rich in antioxidant phytochemicals (see The Amazing World of Plant Phytochemicals: Why a diet rich in veggies is so important!) but the gelatin itself is very beneficial.  In fact, it’s the same good stuff that’s in bone broth (see Why Broth Is Awesome and The Health Benefits of Bone Broth).

Gelatin (or collagen) is a protein, the composition of which is the same as our own connective tissue, so it’s really easy for the body to incorporate these amino acids into structures that need them for growth and repair, like hair, skin, and nails. Gelatin is also known to be important for supporting the lining of the gut and in helping people recover from leaky gut and gut dysbiosis. The high concentration of glycine and proline in gelatin, the most abundant amino acids in the body, also aid in promoting cardiovascular health by keeping our blood vessels springy (in a good way!) and maintaining hormonal balance. Basically, it makes almost every organ system function more robustly!

This berry terrine is simple and refreshing, and completely Autoimmune Protocol-friendly! By making individual servings, it’s much less finicky than similar recipes where the berries are carefully arranged in individual gelatin layers in a loaf that is sliced to serve. This recipe calls for mixed berries, and I like the brambles (blackberries and raspberries) simply because of their potent antioxidants, but you can include almost any combination of fruit in this recipe!  

Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: None
Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 4 cups mixed berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries)
• 1⁄3 cup fresh mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons grated orange zest
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
• 1 1⁄2 cups boiling water
• 2 1⁄2 tablespoons gelatin
• 3⁄4 cup cold water
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons honey (optional)
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

About Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, PhD

Award-winning public speaker, New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned health expert, Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, PhD (aka The Paleo Mom) believes the key to reversing the current epidemics of chronic disease is scientific literacy. She creates educational resources to help people regain their health through diet and lifestyle choices informed by the most current evidenced-based scientific research.