Apple-Sesame Kanten

Kanten is a traditional Asian fruit dessert. We like to make it into a creamy pudding and top it with nuts and fresh fruit. You can vary the juice used, making many different flavors. Apple juice with almond butter is a good combination; pineapple-coconut juice with sliced oranges is very refreshing. It’s pretty served in goblets, and easy to layer 2 different flavors.

SERVES: 8

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 cups apple juice
• 2 sticks agar
• ½ cup tahini
• Fresh fruit for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Soften agar sticks in apple juice in a saucepan.
2. Place saucepan over medium-high heat, bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes until agar dissolves, stirring frequently.
3. Pour the juice mixture into a bowl and refrigerate until kanten sets, around 1 ½ to 2 hours.
4. Using a blender, blend kanten with tahini until smooth and creamy. Blend in batches if necessary.
5. Pour into individual serving dishes and chill.
6. Garnish with fresh fruit such as berries, grapes, kiwi, or citrus. Serve in stemmed glasses.

VARIATION:

• Use apple-peach or apple-cherry juice.
• Use almond butter instead of tahini.