Grass Jelly with Basil Seeds, or Sương Sáo Hạt É in Vietnamese, is a refreshing and visually appealing dessert that captivates with its unique texture and flavor profile. This delicacy combines the silky, mildly sweet essence of grass jelly with the intriguing crunch of basil seeds, creating a harmony of contrasts that is both delightful and satisfying. Grass jelly, made from the leaves of the Mesona Chinensis plant, is cherished in various Asian cuisines for its cooling properties and health benefits, including aiding digestion. When paired with basil seeds, which swell up and take on a gel-like consistency upon soaking, the result is a dessert that is not only a feast for the palate but also a treat for the eyes. Served chilled, often with a sweet syrup and sometimes with additional toppings like fruit or coconut milk, Sương Sáo Hạt É offers a sublime escape from the heat, making it a perfect treat for warm days or a soothing finale to a spicy meal. Its simple elegance and nutritional attributes have made it a beloved choice among those seeking a dessert that is both indulgent and wholesome.
What is Grass Jelly With Basil Seeds?
Grass jelly is a popular Asian dessert made from the leaves of the mesona chinensis plant. It has a chewy, gelatinous texture and a refreshing, cooling taste. Grass jelly is commonly served as a dessert soup with other ingredients like fruit, coconut milk, and basil seeds. It originated in China but is now enjoyed all over Southeast Asia.
Grass jelly combined with sweet basil seeds creates a unique textural interplay – the slippery grass jelly cubes contrast nicely with the little pops from the basil seeds. Basil seeds are the edible seeds from sweet basil that swell up and become gelatinous when soaked in liquid. Their ability to aid digestion makes them a popular ingredient in Asian drinks and desserts.
Together, grass jelly and basil seeds create a nutritious, low-calorie dessert that is supremely hydrating and perfect for hot summer days. The cubes of grass jelly have a dark brownish-black color and chewy, stretchy texture while the soaked basil seeds are smaller black dots that add little bursts of texture.
Ingredients For Grass Jelly With Basil Seeds
Grass jelly – Canned, pre-made grass jelly cubes provide the most convenience. Grass jelly powder can also be used by whisking it into boiling water and chilling until set.
Basil seeds aid digestion and provide an interesting textural contrast. If unavailable, chia seeds can be substituted.
Sugar sweetens the dessert. Substitute honey, coconut sugar, or palm sugar for different flavor profiles.
Instructions For Grass Jelly With Basil Seeds
- Soak the basil seeds in water for 30 minutes until they swell up and become gelatinous. Drain excess water.
- Cut the grass jelly into bite-sized cubes using kitchen shears or a knife.
- In a large bowl, combine:
- Grass jelly cubes
- Nata de coco (with syrup)
- Soaked, drained basil seeds
- Remaining 3 1/2 cups water
- Sugar
- Gently fold the ingredients together to preserve the integrity of the grass jelly cubes.
- Taste and adjust sweetness by adding more sugar or water as desired.
- Chill for at least 4 hours to allow flavors to meld and chill thoroughly. For faster chilling, add ice.
If using grass jelly powder, prepare it first by whisking the powder into boiling water per package instructions. Allow it to fully chill and set before cutting into cubes.
Variations
- For more coconut flavor, use coconut water instead of plain water.
- Top with sweetened coconut cream or coconut milk before serving.
- Add tropical fruits like mango, jackfruit, or pineapple for more flavor.
- Flavored syrups like pandan or coffee complement the mild grass jelly taste.
- For a dairy-free version, use agar cubes instead of nata de coco.
- Reduce the sugar for a less sweet dessert.
Serving Size & Storage
This recipe yields 4-6 servings.
The dessert can be made 1 day in advance but may start to lose its dark color over time. Store covered in the refrigerator up to 1 week.
For serving, garnish with mint leaves or toasted coconut flakes. Spoon into individual dessert bowls for an appealing presentation.
Conclusion
Grass Jelly With Basil Seeds is a nutritious and refreshing treat perfect for hot summer days. With its chewy texture and sweet, mild flavor, it makes for a unique and versatile dessert. Try out this traditional Asian recipe using easy-to-find ingredients – it can be adapted to suit your tastes, whether you prefer it sweet or unsweetened, simple or loaded with fruits and toppings. Its cooling properties will provide a much needed respite any time of year.
Ingredients
- Ingredient Quantity
- *Grass jelly (fresh or pre-made):*300g (or according to package instructions)
- Water: 4 cups
- Sugar: ½ cup (adjust to taste)
- Pandan leaves (optional): 2-3 leaves, knotted
- Basil seeds (chia seeds can be substituted): 2 tablespoons
- Ice: To serve
Instructions
- 1 Prepare the Basil Seeds: In a small bowl, combine the basil seeds with 1 cup of water. Let them soak for at least 15 minutes, or until they become translucent with a black dot in the center.
- 2 Cut the Grass Jelly: If using a pre-made block, cut the grass jelly into bite-sized cubes or crumble it with a fork.
- 3 Assemble the Dessert: Divide the chopped grass jelly and soaked basil seeds with their soaking liquid between four serving glasses.
- 4 (Optional) Add Sweetener and Coconut Milk: To taste, add some palm sugar syrup or another sweetener of your choice. You can also stir in some coconut milk for a richer flavor.
- 5 Serve: Chill the dessert in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve cold over crushed ice if desired
Nutrition Facts
GRASS JELLY WITH BASIL SEEDS (SƯƠNG SÁO HẠT É)
Serves: 4
Amount Per Serving: | ||
---|---|---|
Calories | 1 | |
% Daily Value* | ||
Total Fat 1 | 1.5% | |
Saturated Fat 1 | 5% | |
Trans Fat 1 | ||
Cholesterol 1 | 0.3% | |
Sodium 1 | 0% | |
Total Carbohydrate 1 | 0.3% | |
Dietary Fiber 1 | 4% | |
Sugars 1 | ||
Protein 1 |
Vitamin A 1 | Vitamin C 1 | |
Calcium 1 | Iron 1 |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Vietnamese Food Recipes & Blog
Since 2015, I’ve enthusiastically shared my culinary journey through cooking videos on social media, aiming to empower food enthusiasts to recreate delectable Vietnamese dishes in their own kitchens. Over the years, I’ve had the honor of being featured in various esteemed magazines and television programs, where I’ve assumed diverse roles ranging from a character to a guest, and even a cooking show host. Join me as we embark on a flavorful journey together!
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