This year the Indian festival of colors, Holi and the Catholic festival of Easter are both being celebrated the same weekend. At all these celebrations, the ones who have the most fun are children. Here is a dessert that is colorful and something that both kids and adults will enjoy alike. It is very easy to make and perfect for hot weathers.
It can be made with jello and for the vegetarian version with China grass ( agar agar)jelly. The China Grass version is much quicker as it takes only an hour to set in the refrigerator. The best part, it can even set at room temperature! How cool is that! I have used water instead of milk and have used 1/3 rd the recommended quantity.
I am bringing this to my dear friend Sonal's Holi Collective. She is such a sweetheart who puts so much effort on behalf of all of us!
Servings: 8-10
Ingredients:
Red jelly: 1 box
Purple jelly: 1 box
Pink jelly: 1 box
Plain china grass: 1 box
Condensed milk: one 8 oz can
Milk: 1/2 cup
Hot water: 3 1/2 cups
Vanilla essence: 1 tsp
Strawberries :3-4, sliced for garnishing.( optional)
Blueberries : 3-4 for garnish ( optional).
Method:
Dissolve red colored jelly powder in 1 cup hot water. Stir until the powder has completely dissolved, around 2 minutes. Pour into a bowl and refrigerate it until it solidifies, around 1 hour.
Repeat this with the other two colors.
Once all the colored jellies are solid, start with the next step.
Remove the jellies from their individual mould. Chop them into big chunks.
Add these chunks to the silicone Bundt pan.
Mix one packet of plain china grass in 1/2 cup water in a saucepan. Boil it until the china grass is completely dissolved. To this add the condensed milk, vanilla and mix very well. Let it cool down slightly.
Pour the cooled mixture into the Bundt pan on top of the colored chunks of jelly.
Refrigerate the pan until the mixture has solidified, around 1-2 hours.
Take the Bundt pan out. Place the serving plate on top of the pan . Now overturn the pan so that the cake is on the plate.
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| Picture from inside the fridge!:) |
Garnish with strawberries and blueberries.
Keep it refrigerated until ready to serve.
Slice and serve.
Enjoy.
I am also bringing this to Throwback Thursday # 30, Fiesta Friday#111 and Saucy Saturdays. Angies's co-hosts this week are Naina @ Spice in the City and Julianna @ Foodie On Board.
Cooking made easy:
You can choose what colors you want to use in this cake. I only had the colors I mentioned. You can decorate with any fruits of your choice or depending on what is available. You can even serve it with fruits. Perfect for kids.
If you don't have China grass jellies, use Jello if you don't mind the presence of gelatin in it . The important thing to remember is to reduce the amount of water used. Use 1/3 rd the recommended quantity of water. Use only hot water.
Tip for healthy living:
Gelatin is made up of powdered animal skeleton, amongst other things. Gelatin is a protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones with water. It is usually obtained from cows or pigs. Gelatin is used in shampoos, face masks, and other cosmetics; as a thickener for fruit gelatins and puddings (such as Jell-O); in candies, marshmallows, cakes, ice cream, and yogurts. Gelatin is not vegetarian or vegan. Agar agar is a good alternative for gelatin as it is made from seaweed. It sets faster and can even set at room temperature. Carrigean gum is another vegan alternative.
References:
http://www.peta.org/about-peta/faq/what-is-gelatin-made-of/
http://www.peta.org/about-peta/faq/what-is-gelatin-made-of/
http://www.peta.org/living/food/gelatin-alternatives/
http://www.thekitchn.com/vegetarian-and-vegan-substitutes-for-gelatin-tips-from-the-kitchn-189478
Food for thought:
We can believe what we choose. We are answerable for what we choose to believe. John Henry Newman
Please do share your thoughts. Your opinion matters!
