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Mango-Blueberry Kanten (Jelly)
August 2, 2010 | 8 Comments
Sugar-free, vegan and super easy.
While we don’t eat sugar, we do eat a lot of sweets. There’s some cake leftover from Jai’s birthday plus four types of frozen treats in the freezer plus mango-blueberry kanten in the fridge. It’s going to be a delightful week. 
I bookmarked this recipe from Alexa @ Artsy Foodie the day she posted it two years ago. I finally made it last week – twice – it’s that wonderful.
Kanten is Japanese for agar agar (also called China grass) – a vegan gelatin made from red algae. “Agar agar” is the Malay word for “jelly”.
The first time I used some fancy agar from the health food store that cost 50$ a pound and was supposedly the “purest you’d ever find”. The original recipe calls for 2 tbsp agar agar FLAKES.
1 tbsp agar agar flakes can be substituted with a third of agar agar powder – i.e. 1 tsp.
I had powder, which means I’d need just 2 tsp. I used 2 whole TBSPS anyway and while I expected grouted fruit, it just did not set. No problem. We ate some as a pudding and froze the rest into popsicles. They were both delicious.
For the next attempt, I bought an el cheapo agar agar powder from the Chinese store – Telephone brand for $1.35 a packet. I used just 2 tsps. and it worked like a charm.
After some browsing and experimentation, I learnt a few valuable lessons about agar agar.
Agar Agar needs to be dissolved in hot water. It sets as it cools, so this dessert can be made even without refrigeration, though keeping it in the fridge does hasten the process.
Each brand is different. Buy one brand, see how much you need and stick with it.
As a rule, for 1 cup liquid, you need 1 tablespoon agar agar flakes or 1 teaspoon agar agar powder. That will make a thick, firm jelly. For a looser custardy version, use less.
You also get hard agar agar strips. These need to be softened by soaking in water, then boiled, etc. Stick to the flakes/powder ‘cos it’s easier.
Citrus fruit/juices and alcohol affect how it sets, so you’d need to use more.
Flakes are cut differently and as we’ve seen, different brands behave differently. So if a recipe uses a weight measure, that’s the most accurate. I’ve stated the weight measure and the brand I used. If you go by weight, it’s the same for powder or flakes.
MANGO-BLUEBERRY KANTEN
Since 1 didn’t have white grape juice, I used cantaloupe puree. The colour and flavour were perfect.
3 cups chopped mango
6 gms agar agar powder or flakes
**that worked out to 2 tsp Telephone brand agar agar powder
1 cup pureed cantaloupe melon
**or fruit juice of choice
1 tbsp tequila (optional)
1 cup blueberries
Our blueberry bush
Put the mango pieces in a blender jar with the tequila.
Bring the cantaloupe puree to a gentle simmer over medium heat, add the agar agar powder and stir until it just comes to a boil. The whole thing will turn thick and pasty.
When it’s cool enough to handle, but still warm, add it to the mango and blend to a paste.
Line the bottom of a loaf pan with blueberries. Spread the mango mixture evenly over it and tap it on the counter to remove air bubbles. Cover and refrigerate for at least three hours.
Cut and serve.
If it doesn’t set, no problem. Freeze it into popsicles or eat it as a chilled pudding.
Bonus find: A bit of Agar agar added to popsicles makes them drip-free. The next time I may add some just for that reason and because it adds valuable fibre.
- b.
Filed Under: agar agar/China grass/kanten, Blueberry, GARDENING, jelly, popsicles, vegan recipes, vegetarian recipes
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8 Comments
Bee,
I am so glad you were inspired by the recipe! It’s still one of my family’s favorites. I love your alterations and will have to try that next time.:-)
Enjoy your week of treats and a big Happy Birthday to Jay!!!
Cheers,
Alexa
Oh yum!
Thanks for the detailed info on agar agar. I have been wanting to experiment with it, but I have been afraid of making mistakes. I like your plan B idea. And I also like the yellow color of your kanten.
The kanten looks lovely and the blueberry bush lovelier. Thanks for the info on agar agar.
Bee you are seriously teasing us and just the two of you are going to enjoy that slab! Can I join you?
;)
Wow, I love the contrast. Beautiful click of the plant.
Lovely click!!! Totally tempting and am craving for it now. Yummy!!
wow! so colorful and delicious — very nice!