Summer is well and truly here! The long days and the balmy weather of summer, combined with all the approaching festivities and celebrations, makes it one of our most favourite time of the year!
Summer has always been one of the most social seasons for many Australians- with all the holidays, it has always been a great time to catch up with friends and family over a backyard BBQ to reminisce and celebrate another trip around the sun.
With temperatures set to climb, here are some refreshing and simple tropical Asian desserts that are sure to impress everyone at your Christmas or New Year gathering.
Green Tea Grass Jelly with Lime and Ginger Lychees
This delicately flavoured grass jelly dessert borrows many elements which are reminiscence to desserts served in Traditional Chinese Tong Shui shops across Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. We couldn’t think of a more perfect way to end a heavy meal.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 bottles of Green Tea (500ml)
- 2 ½ tbsp gelatine powder
- 200ml hot water
- 1 can lychees in syrup
- 1 lime
- 2cm-piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
- Nata de coco
- Mint leaves, for garnishing (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prep the grass jelly: Line the base and sides of a loaf pan with plastic wrap, allowing the sides to overhang. Pour the tea into a large bowl. Combine the gelatine and water. Whisk until the gelatine dissolves before stirring mixture into the tea. Add nata de coco and pour into the lined pan and let sit in the fridge for 4 hours, or until firm.
- Prep the lychees: Drain the lychees, reserving the syrup. Place the lychees in a bowl. Use a zester to remove the rind from the lime. Juice half the lime.
- Prep the syrup: Place the reserved syrup, lime rind, lime juice, ginger and sugar in a small saucepan over high heat until boiling. Then, reduce heat to medium-high. Cook until the syrup thickens before setting aside to cool. Pour over the lychees. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to chill.
- Turn the jelly onto a clean work surface and remove the plastic wrap. Cut into slices and divide among serving plates. Top with the lychee mixture and garnish with mint leaves (optional).
Es Serut Melon Nata De Coco
This refreshing melon-flavored drink from Indonesia is the perfect beverage to cool you down on a scorching Australian summer day. The basil seeds, nata de coco and grated melon add texture and crunch to this tropical concoction.
INGREDIENTS
- ½ melon
- 1 bottle of mogu mogu melon flavour with nata de coco
- 10g basil seeds
- 120 ml melon syrup
- 150g ice cube
- Mint, for garnishing
INSTRUCTIONS
- Remove the seeds from the melon. Using a a shredder, grate melon lengthwise and set aside.
- Add ice cubes, nata de coco, basil, melon syrup and melon juice into glass.
- Pour melon syrup and garnish with mint leaves.
Mango Pudding
In our books, nothing screams ‘tropical’ more than a dessert made from mango! Kick back and indulge in this heavenly pudding at the end of a long day.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tin canned mangoes in syrup, drained reserving syrup
- 5 tsp gelatine powder
- ½ cup caster sugar
- 2 cups mango syrup
- 1 can evaporated milk
- Double cream, to serve
- Thinly sliced fresh mangoes, to serve
INSTRUCTIONS
- Process the canned mango in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl
- Place 185ml of the reserved mango syrup and gelatine in a heatproof bowl. Place the bowl in a small saucepan. Then, add enough boiling water to the pan to come halfway up the side of the bowl. Whisk the mixture with a fork until the gelatine dissolves
- Mix sugar and 185ml mango nectar in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Then, set aside to cool
- Add the gelatine mixture, mango syrup mixture, evaporated milk and remaining mango syrup to the mango puree. Whisk until smooth and divide among serving glasses. Place in fridge for 6 hours or until set
- Top with cream and fresh mango slices before serving
Feeling inspired to try more? We have other Asian drinks recipes in our Asian Christmas feast blog series.
Let us know if you have tried any of these recipes and tell us what you thought about it! You may also share your creations with us on our social media page!
Have a wonderful Christmas everyone.
