Mandarin orange dessert with 4 ingredients
About mandarin orange dessert
This mandarin orange dessert is an agar jelly using canned mandarin oranges. My mother used to make it when I was a kid, so it’s a little nostalgic dessert for me. And now I make it for my family. Basically, you need four ingredients (canned oranges, agar powder, sugar, water or orange juice). Moreover, it is easy, fast and inexpensive to make. That is why this dessert is still popular in Japan.
It’s smooth and refreshing, and you’ll want to make it again and again. It’s a perfect dessert especially on hot days or after a heavy meal. Now, I will write below some points to make it successfully.
Recipe tips for mandarin orange dessert
Sugar amount
The recipe requires 400 ml of liquid. Open the can and separate the fruit and the syrup. When I make 4 servings, I use small canned mandarin (approx. net 312 grams, fruit 175 grams). The syrup is usually about 150 ml, so add water and/or orange juice to make 400 ml. If you use a larger can, the canned syrup alone may be 400 ml. In that case, adjust the sugar amount. Probably you need less sugar than recipe indication.
You may need to adjust the amount of sugar when using orange juice as well, as the sweetness varies considerably with orange juice.
When using orange juice
Agar is sensitive to acid, If you boil it with lemon juice or 100% orange juice, the agar’s setting power will be weakened. If you want to add orange juice instead of water, make the agar solution first, turn off the heat, and then add the orange juice. This also makes sense to keep the fresh taste of orange juice.
If you use a small can, make 200 ml with syrup and water first. Then mix agar powder with syrup and water mixture and cook and dissolve the powder completely. After removing the pot from heat, add 200 ml orange juice to make 400ml total.
Canned / tinned fruits
I use canned mandarin oranges because they are beautiful in color and taste perfect for this dessert, but you can also use canned pineapples, peaches, mixed fruits etc. instead. Try various things to find your favorite one. If you like to know more about canned fruits and vegetables click the link below.
Mandarin orange dessert with 4 ingredients
Equipment
- Mold for 500 ml content or 4 x 125ml dessert bowls
Ingredients
- 1 Small canned mandarin orange (310 – 350g)
- 60 gram Sugar
- 3 gram Agar powder (the amount can be different per product)
- Water and / or orange juice (400ml minus syrup)
Instructions
- Separate the mandarin oranges and syrup. Place the mandarin oranges in a mold or dessert bowl. Wet the inside of the mold / dessert bowl with water and drain the water.
- Combine syrup and water to make 400ml and put in a pot. (if you use orange juice, combine syrup and water to make 200ml ).
- Add agar powder to syrup and water mixture and mix well and cook over medium heat until it boils. After boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes until agar powder is melted completely. (Agar solution should be transparent).
- Add sugar and stir gently until the sugar is resolved. Remove the pot from the heat. If you use orange juice, add 200 ml orange juice and stir gently. If you like a very smooth finish, you can strain the fluid through a fine sieve.
- Pour the jelly solution into mold or dessert bowls and mix it with a spoon and the mandarin oranges will spread over evenly. When the jelly is cooled to the room temperature, refrigerate.
Notes
I hope your will enjoy this simple dessert. If you like jelly desert, click the links below.
Thank you for reading. Bon Appetit!
