Ebony n Ivory Dessert – a cool dessert combining tapioca pearls and grass jelly sweetened with maple syrup. Half-and-half is added for creaminess.
A black and white dessert to match a black tie event…..so simple and yet so elegant! Makes you think of a tuxedo or a penguin, depending on your mood!
This Ebony n Ivory Dessert combines two popular Asian dessert ingredients, tapioca pearls and grass jelly. Tapioca pearls are made from tapioca starch and are white in color when dry and translucent when cooked. The size of the pearls can be small, medium, or large.
Grass jelly is made from mesona chinensis, a member of the mint family. The jelly is sold in cans and is normally cut into cubes or strips. It has a slight bitter taste that combines well with syrup. The drink is said to be cooling and is often consumed on very warm days.
Ebony n Ivory Dessert - a cool dessert combining tapioca pearls and grass jelly sweetened with maple syrup. Half-and-half is added for creaminess.
- 1 can grass jelly (19oz/540g)
- 1 cup small tapioca pearls
- 1 cup maple syrup (240ml)
- 1 cup half and half (240ml)
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Soak tapioca pearls in water for about a hour. Cut grass jelly into ¼ inch cubes. Chill in the fridge.
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Bring 4 cups (960ml) water in a pot to boil. Add soaked tapioca pearls. Reduce heat and simmer for 7 minutes. Do not cover pot. Tapioca pearls should be ready when they turn translucent. Remove, drain and rinse with cold water.
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Scoop ¼ cup tapioca pearls into a glass. Top with ¼ cup grass jelly. Drizzle 2 tablespoons (or to taste) each of maple syrup and half and half onto grass jelly.
If grass jelly clumps together, rinse with warm water to break up clumps.
You can place the tapioca pearls at the bottom topped by grass jelly or vice versa. Can’t decide? Have a few glasses of each…..
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 😎
Anncoo says
March 8, 2010 at 3:01 pmWOW! Very refreshing dessert especially for the hot weather in Singapore 35C.
A 2 Z Vegetarian Cuisine says
March 8, 2010 at 3:25 pmSounds yummy..fab. combo….never tried grass jelly…looks good tho..
MaryMoh says
March 8, 2010 at 6:15 pmI would love this even though the weather is very cold here. I won't add ice
Biren says
March 8, 2010 at 6:31 pmAnncoo – Yes, grass jelly is always refreshing. It is so warm over there and so cold over here. Slightly better now as spring is in the air….
A2Z Vegetarian Cuisine – I believe grass jelly is vegetarian is it is made of a plant of the mint family and a little starch….no gelatine.
denise@quickies on the dinner table – LOL! You make me laugh. I like the tux too!
MaryMoh – It is great eaten at room temperature. Aren't you glad it is almost spring?
5 Star Foodie says
March 8, 2010 at 10:34 pmVery elegant presentation, and sounds delicious!
denise @ quickies on the dinner table says
March 8, 2010 at 5:19 pmYOWZA! That is one sexy looking dessert. I'm definitely going with the tux imagery – preferably a nicely filled one 😉 I know this is supposed to be a "cooling" dessert but as far as I'm concerned, it's positively sizzling!!
jules and ruby says
March 11, 2010 at 6:05 pmthis is so interesting looking. i'll bet the different textures send it over the top. i'll have to go find some grass jelly. thanks.
Cookin' Canuck says
March 12, 2010 at 5:59 pmThis is so innovative and beautiful! What a fun evening you must have had.
kattyskitchen says
July 26, 2010 at 5:18 pmVery interesting! Love the presentation. And now can check off the new thing I've learned today: GRASS JELLY! Who knew? 🙂
>>^..^<<
Lyn says
October 8, 2011 at 3:48 amI love this, Biren! It’s very easy and simple refreshing dessert my gals will enjoy bcoz of those sago pearls! *slurp*
Magic of Spice says
October 8, 2011 at 12:23 pmOh wow! Definitely elegant…I adore the beautiful pearls against the dark jelly!
Jill @ MadAboutMacarons says
August 31, 2012 at 8:52 amBiren,
This looks absolutely stunning! I need to get a hold of that grass jelly. What a super idea!
Diana says
May 15, 2013 at 11:33 pmWhat is half and half, thank you
Biren says
May 16, 2013 at 7:28 amHalf-and-half is a mixture of milk and cream.