Chinese Food

Table of content

• Classic Jelly Cubes with Syrup
• Fruit Cocktail Jelly
• Milk Jelly with Toppings
• White Jelly Panna Cotta
• Mango Pomelo Sago with Jelly
• Matcha Jelly Parfait
• Jelly-Infused Iced Tea
• Bubble Tea with Jelly Cubes
• Jelly Smoothie Bowls
• Savory Aspic with Herbs
• Jelly Noodle Salad
• Spicy Jelly Appetizers
• Layered Rainbow Jelly
• Jelly Art Cakes
• Edible Jelly Jewelry
• Low-Sugar Jelly Recipes
• Vegan and Gluten-Free Variations

White jelly powder, a versatile and translucent ingredient derived from plant-based gelling agents like agar-agar or konjac, has become a staple in modern cuisine for its ability to transform liquids into wobbly, delightful textures. Popular in Asian desserts and beyond, this ingredient offers endless possibilities for both sweet and savory creations. Whether you’re a novice cook or a seasoned chef, mastering the art of white jelly powder can elevate your dishes to new heights. This article explores innovative and traditional methods to enjoy white jelly powder, from refreshing desserts to unexpected savory applications, ensuring you never run out of ideas.

Understanding White Jelly Powder

Before diving into recipes, it’s essential to grasp the basics. White jelly powder is odorless, tasteless, and sets at room temperature, making it ideal for layered desserts or no-bake recipes. Unlike gelatin, which is animal-derived, white jelly powder is vegan-friendly and sets firmly without refrigeration, though chilling can enhance its texture. Its neutral flavor allows it to adapt to any taste profile, from fruity sweetness to umami-rich savory notes.

Traditional Sweet Preparations

Classic Jelly Cubes with Syrup

The simplest way to enjoy white jelly powder is by preparing clear jelly cubes drowned in sweet syrup. This method highlights the ingredient’s clean texture and versatility.

Ingredients:

• 10g white jelly powder
• 500ml water
• 100g sugar (adjust to taste)
• Flavorings (e.g., pandan extract, rosewater, or fresh fruit juice)

Instructions:

1. Mix white jelly powder with sugar in a pot.
2. Gradually add water while stirring to avoid lumps.
3. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it simmers, stirring continuously.
4. Remove from heat and stir in your choice of flavoring.
5. Pour into a mold or tray and let cool at room temperature until set (about 30 minutes).
6. Cut into cubes and serve with syrup, fresh fruit, or shaved ice.

Tips:

• For a tropical twist, use coconut water instead of plain water and garnish with mango cubes.
• Experiment with natural food colorings like matcha or beetroot powder for vibrant hues.

Fruit Cocktail Jelly

Elevate your dessert game by layering white jelly with fresh or canned fruits. This method creates a visually stunning and refreshing treat.

Ingredients:

• 15g white jelly powder
• 700ml fruit juice (e.g., peach, lychee, or mixed berry)
• 200g mixed fruits (strawberries, kiwi, grapes, etc.)
• 50ml honey or agave syrup

Instructions:

1. Dice fruits into bite-sized pieces and arrange them in a glass bowl or individual molds.
2. In a pot, combine white jelly powder, fruit juice, and honey.
3. Heat gently while stirring until the powder dissolves completely.
4. Pour the liquid over the fruits, ensuring they’re submerged.
5. Chill in the refrigerator for 1–2 hours until firm.
6. Serve chilled, optionally with a dollop of whipped cream.

Variation:

• Use layered technique: Pour a thin layer of jelly, let it set partially, add another layer of fruits, and repeat.

Milk Jelly with Toppings

For a creamy indulgence, combine white jelly powder with milk or cream. This recipe mimics the texture of panna cotta but requires no baking.

Ingredients:

• 12g white jelly powder
• 400ml milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 100ml heavy cream
• 50g sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Toppings: crushed pistachios, berries, or chocolate shavings

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, whisk white jelly powder, sugar, and milk until smooth.
2. Add cream and vanilla, then heat while stirring until simmering.
3. Pour into ramekins or glasses and refrigerate for 2 hours.
4. Serve with desired toppings.

Pro Tip:

• For a mousse-like texture, whip the mixture lightly before setting.

Modern Dessert Innovations

White Jelly Panna Cotta

Fuse Italian and Asian techniques by incorporating white jelly powder into panna cotta. The result is a silky, melt-in-your-mouth dessert.

Ingredients:

• 8g white jelly powder
• 300ml heavy cream
• 100ml milk
• 60g sugar
• 1 vanilla pod (or 1 tsp extract)
• Berry compote for serving

Instructions:

1. Split the vanilla pod and scrape seeds into a pot. Add pod, cream, milk, and sugar.
2. Heat gently until sugar dissolves, then remove from heat.
3. Whisk in white jelly powder until dissolved.
4. Strain the mixture into molds and chill for 3 hours.
5. Serve with berry compote and a mint sprig.

Mango Pomelo Sago with Jelly

This iconic Cantonese dessert combines mango, pomelo, sago pearls, and coconut milk. Adding white jelly cubes adds a playful texture.

Ingredients:

• 10g white jelly powder
• 500ml water
• 2 ripe mangoes
• 1 pomelo (peeled and segmented)
• 50g sago pearls (cooked)
• 200ml coconut milk
• Honey to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare white jelly as per the classic cubes recipe, then cut into small dice.
2. Purée one mango and slice the other into cubes.
3. In a bowl, combine mango purée, coconut milk, and honey.
4. Add sago, mango cubes, pomelo segments, and jelly cubes.
5. Mix gently and serve chilled.

Matcha Jelly Parfait

Layer matcha-flavored white jelly with red bean paste and crushed ice for a trendy Japanese-inspired treat.

Ingredients:

• 10g white jelly powder
• 500ml milk
• 2 tbsp matcha powder
• 4 tbsp sugar
• Sweetened red bean paste
• Shaved ice

Instructions:

1. Dissolve matcha powder in a small amount of hot water to form a paste.
2. Heat milk, sugar, and white jelly powder until simmering.
3. Whisk in matcha paste until smooth.
4. Pour into a tray and chill until set, then cut into cubes.
5. In a glass, layer red bean paste, matcha jelly, and shaved ice. Repeat.
6. Top with adzuki beans or a matcha drizzle.

Beverages and Drinks

Jelly-Infused Iced Tea

Transform ordinary iced tea into a chewy, refreshing drink by adding white jelly cubes.

Ingredients:

• 5g white jelly powder
• 250ml brewed tea (black, green, or herbal)
• 250ml water
• 2 tbsp sugar
• Ice cubes
• Lemon slices and mint for garnish

Instructions:

1. Brew strong tea and let it cool.
2. Mix white jelly powder, sugar, and water in a pot. Heat until dissolved.
3. Stir in tea and pour into a mold. Chill until set, then cube.
4. Serve in a glass with ice, jelly cubes, lemon, and mint.

Bubble Tea with Jelly Cubes

Replace traditional tapioca pearls with white jelly cubes for a lighter, customizable bubble tea.

Ingredients:

• 5g white jelly powder
• 250ml milk (or almond milk)
• 250ml brewed black tea
• 2 tbsp sugar
• Ice
• Wide straws

Instructions:

1. Prepare white jelly with milk and sugar, then cube.
2. Brew strong black tea and sweeten to taste.
3. In a glass, combine tea, ice, and jelly cubes.
4. Add milk and stir. Enjoy with a wide straw.

Jelly Smoothie Bowls

Thicken your smoothie bowl with white jelly cubes for added texture and visual appeal.

Ingredients:

• 5g white jelly powder
• 200ml coconut water
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup frozen mango
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• Toppings: granola, chia seeds, fresh fruit

Instructions:

1. Prepare white jelly with coconut water, cube, and freeze briefly.
2. Blend banana, mango, and yogurt until smooth.
3. Swirl jelly cubes into the smoothie and top with granola.

Savory Applications

Savory Aspic with Herbs

White jelly powder can create elegant savory aspics, perfect for garnishing meats or seafood.

Ingredients:

• 10g white jelly powder
• 500ml vegetable or chicken stock
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp fresh herbs (dill, chives, or cilantro)
• 1 garlic clove (minced)

Instructions:

1. Heat stock, soy sauce, and garlic until simmering.
2. Whisk in white jelly powder until dissolved.
3. Stir in herbs and pour into a shallow dish.
4. Chill until set, then cut into shapes with cookie cutters.
5. Serve as a garnish for grilled salmon or cold cuts.

Jelly Noodle Salad

Transform white jelly into “noodles” for a low-carb, refreshing salad.

Ingredients:

• 15g white jelly powder
• 500ml water
• 1 cucumber (julienned)
• 1 carrot (julienned)
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp chili flakes

Instructions:

1. Prepare white jelly with water, then pour into a squeeze bottle.
2. Squeeze the mixture into a pot of iced water to form noodles.
3. Drain and toss with vegetables, vinegar, oil, and chili.
4. Serve chilled.

Spicy Jelly Appetizers

Create bite-sized jelly cubes infused with spicy broth for a unique appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 10g white jelly powder
• 300ml tomato juice
• 200ml clam juice
• 1 tbsp Sriracha
• 1 shallot (minced)

Instructions:

1. Heat tomato juice, clam juice, Sriracha, and shallot until simmering.
2. Whisk in white jelly powder and pour into molds.
3. Chill until set, then serve with crackers.

Creative and Artistic Presentations

Layered Rainbow Jelly

Impress guests with a vibrant, multi-layered jelly cake.

Ingredients:

• 30g white jelly powder
• 5L assorted fruit juices (e.g., strawberry, lemon, blueberry)
• Sugar to taste

Instructions:

1. Divide jelly powder into three bowls.
2. Heat each juice with sugar and one portion of jelly powder until dissolved.
3. Pour the first layer into a mold and chill until set.
4. Repeat with remaining colors, allowing each layer to set before adding the next.
5. Unmold and slice to reveal rainbow layers.

Jelly Art Cakes

Use white jelly powder to create edible art with intricate designs.

Ingredients:

• 20g white jelly powder
• 500ml clear soda (e.g., lemon-lime)
• Food coloring
• Pipettes

Instructions:

1. Prepare jelly with soda and divide into small bowls.
2. Color each bowl with food coloring.
3. Use pipettes to create designs in a mold (e.g., flowers, geometric patterns).
4. Chill until set, then fill the mold with a contrasting jelly color.
5. Serve as a showstopping dessert.

Edible Jelly Jewelry

Turn white jelly into wearable art for parties or kids’ events.

Ingredients:

• 5g white jelly powder
• 250ml fruit juice
• Sugar
• Silicone molds (jewelry shapes)
• Food-safe string

Instructions:

1. Prepare jelly with juice and sugar.
2. Pour into molds and insert a string loop before setting.
3. Chill until firm, then unmold and wear.

Health-Conscious Options

Low-Sugar Jelly Recipes

Replace sugar with natural sweeteners like stevia or erythritol.

Ingredients:

• 10g white jelly powder
• 500ml herbal tea (e.g., hibiscus or chamomile)
• Stevia to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat tea with stevia and jelly powder until dissolved.
2. Pour into molds and chill.
3. Serve with fresh berries.

Vegan and Gluten-Free Variations

Ensure all recipes are vegan by using plant-based milk and avoiding animal-derived flavorings.

Ingredients:

• 10g white jelly powder
• 500ml almond milk
• Agave syrup
• Vanilla

Instructions:

1. Heat almond milk, agave, and vanilla with jelly powder.
2. Pour into molds and chill.
3. Serve with coconut yogurt.

Tips for Perfect Jelly Making

• Avoid Overcooking: Heating the mixture too much can compromise the texture.
• Use the Right Mold: Silicone molds are ideal for easy unmolding.
• Layering Hack: Chill each layer for 10–15 minutes before adding the next.
• Flavor Pairing: Balance sweet and acidic ingredients to avoid a flat taste.

Conclusion

White jelly powder is a culinary chameleon, offering endless opportunities to experiment with textures and flavors. From traditional desserts to avant-garde beverages and savory dishes, this ingredient invites creativity and innovation. Whether you’re crafting a refreshing summer treat or an elegant dinner party centerpiece, white jelly powder rises to the occasion. So grab your mold, unleash your imagination, and let this versatile ingredient transform your kitchen adventures.