Mitsumame - A Refreshing Japanese Dessert

Ingredients

• 2 cups (470ml) water 2 cups (470ml) water
• 2 tablespoons agar agar powder 2 tablespoons agar agar powder
• 1/4 cup (50g) sugar 1/4 cup (50g) sugar
• 1 cup (200g) azuki beans, cooked and sweetened 1 cup (200g) azuki beans, cooked and sweetened
• 1 cup (150g) mochi, cut into small pieces 1 cup (150g) mochi, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup (150g) strawberries, sliced 1 cup (150g) strawberries, sliced
• 1 cup (150g) peaches, diced 1 cup (150g) peaches, diced
• 1 cup (150g) lychees, peeled and pitted 1 cup (150g) lychees, peeled and pitted
• 1/4 cup (60ml) honey 1/4 cup (60ml) honey

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 1g, 0g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 60g, 40g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add agar agar powder and sugar, stirring until dissolved. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
2. 2.
   Pour the agar agar mixture into a square or rectangular dish and refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.
3. 3.
   Once set, cut the agar jelly into small cubes.
4. 4.
   In serving bowls or glasses, layer the agar jelly cubes, sweetened azuki beans, mochi, and fruits.
5. 5.
   Drizzle honey over the top and serve chilled.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Agar agar powder — Make sure to dissolve it completely in the boiling water to ensure a smooth texture.
• Azuki beans — If using canned beans, rinse them thoroughly before sweetening.
• Mochi — If fresh mochi is not available, you can use store-bought mochi and lightly steam it before cutting into small pieces.
• Honey — Use a good quality honey to enhance the flavor of the dessert.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more refreshing twist, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice to the honey syrup.
• Experiment with different fruits based on seasonal availability to create your own unique variation of Mitsumame.
• If you prefer a sweeter dessert, you can increase the amount of sugar in the agar agar mixture.

Serving advice

Serve Mitsumame chilled in elegant glass bowls or cups to showcase its vibrant colors and beautiful layers. It can be enjoyed as a light and refreshing dessert after a meal or as a delightful treat on a hot summer day.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, garnish the top of the dessert with a sprig of fresh mint or a dusting of powdered sugar. The colorful layers of fruits and jelly cubes should be clearly visible through the glass bowls or cups.