And the day is as dark as the night is long
Feel like trash, you make me feel clean
I'm in the black, can't see or be seen
- U2 Ultraviolet
This dish is from our original U2 Feast where we create an immersive U2 experience by uniquely unpacking the story of U2 through a gourmet 6-course meal. You can find more info at: Theosfeast.com/themes
Here is a link to U2's UltraViolet video from their 360 tour: You can find the lyrics at https://www.u2.com/lyrics/157
Reflection
Ultraviolet light is also known as black light represents an unseen wavelength beyond the visible spectrum. Yet In the case of this iconic U2 song, this unseen light seems to be a metaphor for a relationship between two lovers, or in typical U2 fashion could double for the relationship with the unseen spirit of God, of which Christians refer to as the Holy Spirit. A still small voice speaking to our innermost being in the midst of our darkest hour.
The song describes a dialogue between the lost and a comforter. The lost is in the depths of deep darkness, someone who has lost all hope, a deep depression, possibly even on the brink of suicide. There is evidence of deep intimacy in the dialogue between the two lovers, but the lost is disoriented and desperate in the darkness, similar to the story of Job in the Bible. Yet there is a glimmer of hope when even though the lost feels like trash, the very presence of God or the lover Bono is singing about, makes him feel clean. Revealing the light he so desperately needs, restoring hope and intimacy, lighting his way. Similar to Job 29 where God's Spirit guides Job as a light in the darkness.
“Just because I often find my way around the darkness, doesn’t mean I don’t know it’s there. I just try to make the light brighter” - Bono
This is a profoundly simple dish. The lavender is very subtle, more of a scent than a flavour. The lavender represents the subtleness of the Holy Spirit as He whispers to us in a still small voice bringing a hint of light, comfort, and hope in our darkest hours.
In Biblical times, lavender was known as Spikenard. Highly prized, lavender was used in purification rituals, for healing, as it was used as oils and perfumes by high priests. Many Biblical scholars believe that a variation of lavender was used in anointing the feet of Jesus by Mary Magdalene. As well as to anoint Simon the Leper and to entice erotic love in the Song of Solomon (site your examples for people who want to look it up). Lavender is symbolic of serenity, purity, devotion, and grace.
Most guests are surprised by the mystery around the carbonated grapes that also have a slight hint of Lavender. The fizzy grapes are symbolic of how the Holy Spirit works from the inside out. Just being in His presence speaks to our innermost being, inspiring change by the power of God’s unending love and grace. Grapes are known as the nectar of the gods. In the Bible, they are symbolic of God’s abundant blessing, or at times His wrath if they are sour.
Baby, Baby, Baby light my way!
Recipe
Ultraviolet Lavender & Grape Granita with Carbonated Grapes.
This is a very simple dish. The scent of lavender pairs very well with the grape granita. The carbonated grapes are what really sets this dish apart. There are two ways to make them, one requires a Soda Siphon and CO2 cartridges, the other requires a cooler and dry ice. I have included both methods in the recipe below. It’s a delightful dish that profoundly connects to U2’s Ultraviolet on multiple levels.
Serves 10 - 12 people
Time: 30 min active. 3 hours inactive for the Soda Siphon method.
12 Hours inactive for Dry Ice method.
10 min for platting.
Special equipment:
CO2 Soda Siphon method: 1 Soda Siphon, 2 CO2 Soda Siphon Cartridges, and 1 small sewing pin.
Dry Ice method:
A cooler, dry ice, and 1 roll of food wrap.
Sharp chefs knife
9 x 11 freezer-proof pan
Cutting board
1 wide-rimmed cocktail glass per person such as a stemless martini glass
Fine mesh strainer
Ingredients:
2 cups purple seedless grapes, washed
5 cups 100% Concord Grape Juice
1 Tablespoon of honey
2 Tablespoons of dried culinary lavender blossoms
1 1/2 cups of filtered or bottled water
One fresh (not dried) culinary lavender blossom per person if available
Note, not all lavender flowers are food-safe. It’s important to use culinary lavender, which is grown without the use of fertilizers or insecticide sprays.
Method:
Lavender and Honey Tea: In a medium-sized pot. Bring 1 1/2 cups of water and one tablespoon of honey to a simmer. Once simmering, remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of dried culinary lavender blossoms. Let the lavender & honey tea steep for 10 min. Strain with a fine-meshed strainer.
Make Grape Granita. Stir in 5 cups of 100% Concord Grape Juice into the strained lavender and honey tea. Stir well. Reserve 2/3 cup of grape lavender juice for the Soda Siphon. Pour into a freezer-safe 9 x 11 container. You want it to freeze quickly, so a wider shallow container is better than a narrow and deep container. Freeze the granita overnight until fully frozen.
Soda Siphon Fizzy Grapes. Wash the grapes. Use a sewing pin, small sharp skewer or a toothpick to poke 3 or 4 holes in each grape. Put the poked grapes into the Soda Siphon along with 2/3 cups of the grape juice into the Soda Siphon. Close the lid tight. Charge the Soda Siphon with (2) CO2 cartridges. Put the siphon into the fridge for 2 - 3 hours.
Dry Ice Fizzy Grapes. You will need 2 lbs of dry ice, a cooler, and 1 roll of plastic food wrap. Wash and dry your grapes. Wrap the dry ice up in a kitchen towel. Place it in the bottom of the cooler. Be careful with dry ice as it is extremely cold as it is frozen CO2. Use gloves or tongs when handling it. Place your grapes in the cooler, close your cooler and wrap the entire cooler well with food wrap. The food wrap will help keep the CO2 from escaping and carbonate your fruit. Wait 12 - 14 hours.
Freeze your serving dishes. Place your cocktail glasses or serving bowls in the freezer. Also, place a mixing bowl in the freezer to put your frozen granita in prior to plating. This will help your granita stay cold while plating.
Making the Granita. Remove the frozen lavender & grape juice from its container. Using a sharp, chef knife and cutting board, chop/shave the frozen grape juice into fine pieces. Work quickly as you don’t want it to thaw too much. Put it back into a cold bowl until you are ready for plating.
Cue up the video: Turn down the lights and cue up this video: U2 360 Ultraviolet at the Rose Bowl: youtube.com/watch?v=TUD4CQT33w4
Soda Siphon Plating. Put your frozen granita in their frozen bowls. About 6 Tablespoons per serving. Release the pressure from the soda siphon. Pour the carbonated grapes into a mixing bowl. Place 4-6 carbonated grapes on top of the granita. Garnish with a lavender blossom. Serve immediately
Dry Ice Plating. Put your frozen granita in their frozen bowls. About 6 Tablespoons per serving. Remove your carbonated grapes from the cooler. Place 4-6 carbonated grapes on top of the granita. Garnish with a lavender blossom.
Click play on the video. Serve immediately.
Baby Baby Light My Way!
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