j-e-l-l-o and Kanten

I wanted to make this post just in case you had forgotten about jello as a desert, it's easy, light and fun and kids love it! I usually have the kids help me because that's most of the fun, and they insist on checking it every 5 seconds...another fun part...

but did you know...

that you can make 'good' jello too? it's called Kanten and it's just as delicious and if you make it yourself your kids will never know the difference. Agar Agar (which the Japanese call Kanten) is available in many co-ops and also at Whole Foods in the Japanese section, I suggest you look for the brand 'Eden' because if you use an inferior brand you can be buying the same thing as our american 'Jello' which is mostly chemicals. Agar Agar on the other hand is seaweed, so this is a great low-sodium way to add the benefits of seaweed to your kids diet (predominately for calcium but there is so much more goodness in seaweed).

the kids couldn't wait until I took the picture, right there on the floor!!!

recipe: KANTEN
a common version is orange juice kanten but I am going to give you a more unusual recipe from the Eden website which sounded great, just substitute orange juice and slices of oranges to make the orange canten. But you can use any juice and when you get used to it you will make your own favorite recipes.

Apple Cherry Kanten
(serves 4)

Ingredients

2 cups Eden Organic Cherry Juice
2 cups Eden Organic Apple Juice
5 Tablespoons Eden Agar Agar Flakes
1 pinch seasalt (optional, just a couple of flakes is enough)
1/2 cup apples, sliced thin
1/2 cup cherries, pitted, halved

Directions

Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Do not cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce the flame to medium low and simmer 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the agar flakes have dissolved. Pour into a shallow serving dish and refrigerate until gelled, about 1 1/2 hours. Spoon out or slice into squares to serve. If you like, you can 'spice' things up a bit and add a layer of wholesome yoghurt (I used banana yoghurt in this recipe you see in the photos) - the kids just sucked it up like a vacuum cleaner!!!

Nutritional Info

Per serving: 154 Calories, 0g Fat (1% calories from fat), 0g Protein, 38g Carbohydrate, 5g Fiber, 0mg Cholesterol, 56mg Sodium

Kanten makes such a great snack or desert that your kids will love and they will really enjoy! So have fun creating your own recipes and have fun with making deserts without processed sugar!