Ebony n Ivory Dessert (Grass Jelly and Tap
This 'Ebony n Ivory' recipe creates a simple yet delightful chilled dessert. It combines the unique, slightly bitter and earthy notes of grass jelly cubes with the sweet, chewy texture of small tapioca pearls, all sweetened perfectly with maple syrup. An easy-to-prepare and refreshing treat.
Equipment
- 1 Medium Pot For boiling tapioca pearls
- 1 Fine-Mesh Strainer For draining and rinsing tapioca
- 1 Cutting Board For preparing grass jelly
- 1 Chef's knife For cutting grass jelly
- 6 Serving bowls For individual portions
Ingredients
Main
- * 1 can grass jelly 19oz 540g
- * 1 cup small tapioca pearl
- * 1 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Bring a medium pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the small tapioca pearls to the boiling water, stirring gently to prevent sticking.
- Cook the tapioca pearls according to package instructions, typically 15-20 minutes, until they are translucent with only a tiny white dot in the center.
- Remove the pot from the heat, cover, and let the tapioca pearls sit for another 5-10 minutes to finish cooking through.
- Drain the cooked tapioca pearls thoroughly using a fine-mesh strainer and rinse them under cold running water to remove excess starch and prevent clumping. Set aside to cool.
- Open the can of grass jelly and carefully remove the solid block.
- On a clean cutting board, cut the grass jelly into desired bite-sized cubes or strips.
- In a large serving bowl or individual dessert bowls, combine the prepared grass jelly and cooled tapioca pearls.
- Pour the maple syrup over the grass jelly and tapioca pearls, stirring gently to distribute evenly.
- Chill the dessert in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving for optimal enjoyment.
Notes
To achieve perfectly tender tapioca pearls, cook them until fully translucent, leaving only a tiny white dot. Rinsing thoroughly with cold water immediately after draining is crucial to remove excess starch and prevent them from clumping. For the grass jelly, a clean, precise cut ensures appealing cubes or strips. While maple syrup is specified, feel free to adjust sweetness or explore other syrups like brown sugar syrup or a touch of pandan syrup for an aromatic twist. This dessert is best served well-chilled; consider adding a few ice cubes or a splash of evaporated or coconut milk right before serving for added creaminess and chill.