Agar Agar Fruit Jelly

March 20, 2016mayurisjikoni
Blog post

EVENTS: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP & FOODIES_REDOING OLD POSTS

THEME: FESTIVAL OF COLOURS

RECIPE: AGAR AGAR FRUIT JELLY

Agar Agar Fruit Jelly is an easy to make, attractive, cooling, gluten free and vegan dessert. Perfect dessert for any parties be it a garden party, kids party, baby shower party, etc. I love making this simple but pretty dessert as I can use a variety of fresh fruits and best part is that I can control the amount of sugar I add.

Sometimes I add maple syrup, a light coloured one. It does change the colour of the dessert slightly but tastes really good.

WHAT IS AGAR AGAR?

Agar Agar is a gelatinous substance that is derived from red algae. More specifically it is derived from red algae Gelidium and Gracilaria -division Rhodophyta. It is odourless, has no taste of its own and is colourless. Since it is plant based it is vegan.

USES OF AGAR AGAR

Agar Agar is widely used as a solid base to culture bacteria in laboratories. It is also used in some medicines, cosmetics. The canning industry uses it too especially for canned meat, poultry and fish. Breweries and wine makers use it as a clarifying agent. Popular as a thickening agent for desserts, ice creams and salad dressings.

Agar Agar is widely used in Asia for desserts.

GELATIN VS AGAR AGAR

  • Agar Agar is an excellent substitute for gelatin especially for vegans, vegetarians as gelatin is made from bones of animals. The usual substitute ratio is 1:1 if you are using agar agar powder.
  • However, if you have agar agar flakes then you need 1 tbsp of it for every 1 tsp of gelatin.
  • There is a difference in the texture. While gelatin sets a dessert to a bouncy and softer texture, agar agar is not that. But the major advantage of agar agar is that once set it does melt easily in hot weather.
  • My preference is agar agar powder as it is so much easier to work with. Nowadays it is easily available online.

FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP THEME

The 32nd theme is FESTIVAL OF COLOURS. Seriously, it is just too hot in Mombasa and I didn’t want to spend hours in my hot kitchen. Agar Agar Fruit Jelly has been on my list to try out for a very long time. Therefore, used this theme to create and easy but delicious dessert. My colours in this recipe are the naturally colourful fruits that I have used.

THE GROUP – FOODIES_REDOING OLD POSTS

This group started by Renu who blogs at Cook With Renu, helps us to redo old posts, be it with photos, writing or even updated versions of the recipe.

Mixed Fresh Fruits were on offer and I couldn’t resist buying them. However, they were going to get spoiled pretty fast. Hubby asked me why I had ordered agar agar powder and that reminded me that I need to redo the AGAR AGAR FRUIT JELLY RECIPE. So here is my 75th updated recipe.

First published on 20/03/2016, updated on 30/04/2022

MEMORIES

Since the theme was decided, I had only two days to prepare something as most of the week I was away attending a medical camp organised by my Club – Lions Club of Mombasa Bahari. The annual camp takes place in Malindi which is about 120 kms away from Mombasa. We were there from Thursday and came back on Sunday.

Medical Camp

Reconstructive surgery, general surgery, cataract operations are carried out during these camps. My hubby as a dermatologist attends to patients with various skin ailments. Lack of water, the heat all result in so many different kinds of skin diseases. Most of the people who come to these camps are poor and cannot afford hospital or doctor fees.

Lion Club Of Mombasa Bahari

My Club does the whole 4 day camp for free. None of doctors, theatre staff, nurses charge a penny. On top of that our Club also provides the meals for the in patients. During these camps we come across illness or deformities among the poor that we cannot even imagine. All this of course is impossible to carry out without the generous donations from the public, and various business companies.

Patients Blessings

The Plastic Surgeon who comes all the way from Mumbai every year, was able to repair a cleft palate for a tiny baby. Her mother couldn’t stop praising us. She kept on telling us that hope Allah blesses the doctors and the Club members with all good things in life. One patient was so grateful that hubby could remove a growth that was bothering him, asked his family to come to the hospital with a whole bunch of bananas from his farm!

 

Some More Fresh Fruit Recipes

EXOTIC FRUIT SALAD
Exotic Fruit Salad is a  delicious, healthy and satisfying naturally sweet treat to enjoy for breakfast or as dessert. Why exotic? Because I rarely find dragon fruit and I love it so much.
Check out this recipe
AMARANTH FRUITY PUDDING/ RAJGIRA KHEER
Amaranth Fruity Pudding/ Rajgira Kheer is a healthy, filling, nutritious, creamy pudding that can be enjoyed as a dessert or as breakfast. Loaded with nuts and fresh fruits, it is an absolute treat.
Check out this recipe
FRUIT AND NUT RICE KHEER
Serve a simple rice kheer loaded with nuts and fresh fruit. Serve it as a dessert, really delicious and exotic.
Check out this recipe
HAUPIA - HAWAIIAN COCONUT DESSERT
Haupia is a silky, creamy, delicious and easy to make coconut dessert. Serve it chilled on its own or with some fruit or coulis.
Check out this recipe

 

RECIPES USING AGAR AGAR

 

INGREDIENTS REQUIRED FOR AGAR AGAR FRUIT JELLY

  • Agar Agar – I prefer using powder as it is so much easier to use and melts quickly.
  • Water/Coconut Water – use normal tap water or fresh coconut water.
  • Sugar – add according to your taste.
  • Fresh Fruits – in total you need about 2 cups of fresh fruit. Some fruits like kiwi, strawberries, grapes, mango, need to be cut into smaller pieces. Blueberries can be left whole. Use whatever fruit you get.
  • Orange Zest – optional. I added orange zest for flavour. You can omit it.

 

 

 

 

  

WATCH HOW TO MAKE AGAR AGAR FRUIT JELLY

AGAR AGAR FRUIT JELLY

mayurisjikoni
Agar Agar Fruit Jelly is an easy to make, attractive, cooling, gluten free and vegan dessert. Perfect dessert for any parties be it a garden party, kids party, baby shower party, etc.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
SETTING TIME 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine South East Asian
Servings 4 PEOPLE

Ingredients
  

  • cups water
  • ½ tbsp agar agar powder
  • 3-4 tbsp white sugar
  • 2 cups mixed fruits any of your choice

Instructions
 

  • First of all, wash the fruit. Cut any larger fruits into bite size pieces.
  • Add water to a saucepan.
  • Allow the water to heat up a bit. Add sugar.
  • Stir the water till the sugar melts.
  • When the water is hot, but not boiling, add agar agar powder.
  • Keep heating the water till the agar agar dissolves completely.
  • Switch off the heat.
  • Take 4 small moulds or a bowl or cake tin.
  • Using a ladle gently pour little of the agar agar liquid. Allow it to set a bit. This will take about 3-5 minutes.
  • Add the fruits making sure that you place all of them separately, alternating the different colours if possible.
  • Using the ladle, pour more of the agar agar liquid over the fruits.
  • Allow the jelly to cool a bit.
  • If you find any fruit pieces peaking out f the jelly, gently push it down using a skewer.
  • Cover with cling film and allow it to set in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
  • You can either set in individual portions or in one bowl or tin or tray.
  • Unmold the larger one by running a knife around the edges. Cover the tin/tray with a dish, plate chopping board. Turn it over and the jelly comes off easily.
  • You can unmold the smaller ones if you want to. I prefer serving them as it is.

Notes

  • Use any seasonal fruit of your choice.
  • Adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste.
  • Adding a thin layer of the agar agar liquid ensures that the fruit doesn't stick to the mold.
  • Allow the agar agar liquid to cool a bit before adding to the layered fruit. Otherwise it will make the fruit mushy.
  • Use fresh coconut water instead of normal tap water. Tastes really good.
Keyword agar agar fruit jelly, fresh fruit jelly, vegan fruit jelly

PIN FOR LATER:

A little request:

  • If you do try this recipe then please either
  • add a comment below,
  • send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
  • tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
  • or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962

 

 

21 Comments

  • shibani hota

    March 21, 2016 at 2:28 pm

    Awesome share mayuri…loving it

  • Amrita Roy

    March 21, 2016 at 5:42 pm

    the jelly looks really colorful …

  • beena stephen

    March 21, 2016 at 6:10 pm

    Yummy

  • Preethi Prasad

    March 22, 2016 at 2:32 am

    Love these cute Jellies. Beautiful share.

  • Sujata Roy

    March 22, 2016 at 2:19 pm

    Lovely share Mayuri. Jellies looks so colourful and yummy.

  • Pushpita Singh

    March 22, 2016 at 9:30 pm

    Looks yum Mayuri!Lovely share.

  • Rupal Patel

    March 23, 2016 at 6:43 pm

    Love the idea.!! Happy Holi!!!

  • Jolly Homemade Recipes

    March 23, 2016 at 7:45 pm

    Loved this cute jellies, beautiful idea..Happy Holi 🙂

  • Jolly Homemade Recipes

    March 23, 2016 at 7:45 pm

    Loved this cute jellies, beautiful idea..Happy Holi 🙂

  • Mayuri Patel

    April 3, 2016 at 5:39 pm

    Thank you Shibani

  • Mayuri Patel

    April 3, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    Thank you Amrita.

  • Mayuri Patel

    April 3, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    thanks Beena.

  • Mayuri Patel

    April 3, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    Thanks Preethi.

  • Mayuri Patel

    April 3, 2016 at 5:41 pm

    Thanks Rupal,felt really cool in the mouth 🙂

  • Mayuri Patel

    April 3, 2016 at 5:41 pm

    Thanks Jolly

  • Archana

    May 10, 2022 at 6:56 am

    5 stars
    It is so hot here, Mayuri and your tip of using agar agar is a lifesaver! Thanks to you we can get some lovely much needed chilled food without it melting.
    The colourful fruits you have added make agar agar jelly a visual treat. Mine has mangoes in it and is chilling right now. Thanks.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      May 11, 2022 at 10:28 pm

      Thanks Archana, enjoy yoru preparation with mango in it.

  • Jayashree T.Rao

    May 11, 2022 at 4:20 am

    5 stars
    Fruit jelly looks so colourful, lovely share. I usually make with the fruit juice, must try it with pieces in it.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      May 11, 2022 at 10:27 pm

      Thanks Jayashree, it makes a delightful dessert, try it with fruit pieces.

  • Kalyani

    May 28, 2022 at 1:52 am

    5 stars
    the vacations make this colourful fruit jelly a great project for my little one. bookmarking to try !

    1. mayurisjikoni

      May 28, 2022 at 12:10 pm

      Thanks Kalyani, hope the family enjoys the preparing and tasting.

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