| Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 150 | 0g | 0g | 36g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 28g | 2g | 1g | 0g |
Why I Love Colombian Vegan Water Gelatin with Agar-Agar and Fruit Juice
My heart was always nestled comfortably between the warm remembrances of my Italian grandparents’ kitchen and my own culinary journey in New Jersey. I’ve always been a lover of rich, hearty Italian-American classics, but there’s a certain Colombian recipe that has captured my curiosity and palate – the Vegan Water Gelatin with Agar-Agar and Fruit Juice.
Why, you may ask, would an Italian-American chef become enamored with this dish? I’ve discovered that food, like language and love, knows no boundaries. It invites us to cross oceans and delight ourselves in worlds different than our own, and that’s precisely what this dish has done for me.
Where I Found This Novelty
Discovering the Vegan Water Gelatin with Agar-Agar and Fruit Juice was a bit of serendipity – a taste adventure born out of my interest in vegan culinary techniques. Thanks to innovative chefs like Yotam Ottolenghi who inspire and push the boundaries of vegan cuisine, I was captivated by the magic of agar-agar. This sea-derived ingredient sparked an exploration that led me to this delightful Colombian dessert.
The Allure of This Recipe
The Vegan Water Gelatin with Agar-Agar and Fruit Juice does more than merely satisfy the taste buds. It is a culinary masterpiece that tells a story. A story of Colombian culture, of innovation in vegan cooking, and a notion that captivating flavor profiles aren’t exclusively reserved for the meat-lovers among us.
What I love most about this dessert is its universal appeal. If I were to compare it to an Italian dish, it would be the Panna Cotta. Both are delicate and creamy, filled with the sweetness and complexity of the perfect dessert. It is a creative spin on that classic dish, replaced with vegan-friendly ingredients producing a refreshing counterpart that holds its own.
Whether you have it at the end of a hearty Italian American meal, or paired it with a light Colombian salad, it works. It cuts across all flavor profiles, making it a versatile dessert option that opens up room for a lot of flavorful experiments, depending on the fruit juice and mixed fruits used.
It’s desserts like these that keep me curious in the kitchen and keeps my culinary journey fresh, crossing boundaries and creating new traditions that I can’t wait to share with my grandchildren. Just as I was inspired by my grandparents, I aspire to inspire the next generation with a tapestry of tastes – from spaghetti and meatballs to Vegan Water Gelatin with Agar-Agar and Fruit Juice.
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups of your favorite fruit juice (preferably freshly squeezed)
- 2 tablespoons of agar-agar powder
- 1/2 cup of sugar (optional, depending on the sweetness of your fruit juice)
- 1 cup of mixed fruits (chopped into small pieces)
Method
Step One
First, start by preparing your fruit. This involves washing and chopping your mixed fruits into small pieces. Set these aside for later use.
Step Two
In a saucepan, combine your fruit juice and agar-agar powder. You’ll want to stir this mixture thoroughly to ensure that the agar-agar powder is fully dissolved. For this step, use low heat.
Step Three
If you’ve decided to use sugar in your recipe, this is the point at which you’ll add it to the saucepan. Keep stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Step Four
Bring your mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring consistently. Once it’s come to a boil, reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for around 5 minutes. Make sure to continue stirring occasionally during this step.
Step Five
After the mixture has simmered, remove the saucepan from the heat. Let your mixture cool for a few minutes.
Step Six
As the mixture is cooling, grab your mold (you can use a standard jello mold, or get creative with individual molds or cups). Add a layer of your chopped mixed fruits to the bottom of the mold.
Step Seven
Pour the slightly cooled mixture over the fruit in your mold. Make sure that the fruit is evenly distributed throughout.
Step Eight
Finally, place your mold in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow the gelatin to set. Serve chilled and enjoy your vegan water gelatin with agar-agar and fruit juice!
