Kanten is a masterpiece in itself. It requires a lot of culinary expertise to master the art of making kantens. Kanten is basically a gelatinous substance, whose texture can be traced to somewhere between pudding and Jell O. Kanten is said to have originated in Malaysia by the name Agar-Agar. A substitute for jelly, it is a wonderful delight with the kids especially on their summer holidays, when they are always on the lookout for something new! Flavored up with peaches, this kanten can be a rich source of essential vitamins, fibers and minerals for your kids. Peach, especially the nectarine breed is a criss-cross variety between plums and peaches. The reddish fruit contributes its natural color to the kanten and as we all know, how delightful kids become when their food color matches their favorite color.
Name of the dish: Peach or Nectarine Kanten
Complexity level: Easy
Time taken: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
1. 21â2 cups organic peach or apple juice
2. 2 tablespoons agar agar flakes
3. 3 tablespoons agave nectar
4. A pinch of coarse sea salt
5. 1 tablespoon cornstarch powder
6. 2 peaches or nectarines chopped in ½ -inch pieces
7. 1 cinnamon stick, roughly broken to pieces
8. 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped mint
9. 1 tablespoon chopped ginger root.
Method:
1. Mix 3 cups apple or peach juice, agar agar flakes, agave nectar, ginger root, cinnamon pieces and coarse sea salt in a heavy bottomed, stainless steel saucepan. Bring this mixture to a boil on medium heat, stirring frequently.
2. After the mixture comes to a boil, simmer and cook covered for 10 minutes, To make sure that the agar agar is completely dissolved, stir occasionally.
3. Dissolve the cornstarch powder in the remaining 1â2 cup of cold milk or water.
4. Remove the cinnamon pieces from the kanten.
5. Add the dissolved arrowroot solution to the kanten, and stir constantly to prevent lumps.
6. Raise the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a boil, and cook for a minute, stirring continuously. The kanten will become glossy. Cook until the consistency of the mixture thickens.
7. Remove the kanten from heat and add the chopped fruits. Pour into individual serving dishes.
8. Refrigerate the kanten if it is not being eaten within a few hours. It will set nicely if allowed to rest for 3-4 days.
Quick tips:
1. Mix the cornflour in only cold milk or water and not warm milk or water, as it may form lumps.
2. Kanten tastes better, if allowed to refrigerate for a long time.
3. While the agar agar flakes are being added, ensure continuous stirring of the mixture as it may not dissolve if not stirred properly.
