Can't travel around Asia this summer because of the lockdown and travel ban? Bring Asia right at your home through these Easy-To-Make Summer Desserts! Easy enough, you can make them in your kitchen. *wink*
Summer is almost here and that means hot summer heat! Although we can't put on another layer of clothing to beat it as we would for the cold, that doesn't mean we can't make it enjoyable with shivering sweet desserts! However, it gets even better! Right now, we can't travel because of Covid-19, but that shouldn't stop you from tasting Asia with these Top 10 Easy-To-Make Asian Summer desserts!
Es Teler from Indonesia
Get a taste of the world's largest island country with their refreshing dessert "Es Teler"! In Indonesia, this dessert may also categorize as a beverage. This dessert is a mixture of:
Jackfruit
Vocado
Coconut
Condensed milk
Syrup,
Shaved ice
Of course, there are other versions with different combinations. You can choose to put flavored jelly or the fruit of your choice.
Halo-Halo from the Philippines
Next stop, we have the Pearl of the Orient Sea, the Philippines! This cold dessert is the popular favorite "Halo-Halo"! With the name translation being "Mix-Mix," it is a colorful combination of different local ingredients. Top it off with some cold crushed ice, and we have a dessert that will chase the heat away! The elements usually include:
Ube or red beans for the base
Langka
Saba banana
Coconut slivers
Sago
Kaong
Gelatin
Evaporated milk
Pinipig
Leche flan
Scoops of icecream
If that isn't a colorful variety, then I don't know what it is! Mix it in your container, and enjoy!
Tapioca Pudding from Thailand
Not only is this dessert delicious and easy to make, but it's also vegan and gluten-free! All you'd need to make this sweet treat are:
Pearl tapiocas
Water
Coconut milk
Sugar
Salt
Mango slices or lychee
The perfect tropical comfort food you need to make the hot days more relaxed!
Melon Bingsu from Korea
In Korea, Melon Bingsu is a popular shaved ice treat. The best part about this variation of shaved ice dessert is thowt can be served inside a whole melon. Now that's a gigantic treat! Leave no melon piece uneaten! What you would need for this dessert would be:
Melon
Shaved ice
Cheese
Yogurt
Icecream
Kuzu Mochi from Japan
From the name itself, we know we're going to get some cute and soft mochi! However, this isn't going to be as sticky as the original rice cake. Instead, it's going to have that smooth gelatin texture. Of course, you don't have to make the mochi from scratch, and this can be made with store-bought mochi! What you would need are:
Mochi (preferably made of kuzu root starch powder)
Kinako (sweet toasted soybean flour)
Kuromitsu (sweet brown sugar syrup)
Almond Float from China
Are you fond of that toasty, nutty taste? Get a load of this mouth-watering dessert from China! All you need to make this float dessert are:
Gelatin mixed with sugar
Almond extract
Evaporated milk
Can be served with fruit cocktail and syrup mixture
Chopped fruit is optional
Aloe Vera Green Bean Sweet Porridge from Vietnam
If you're looking for something that can benefit your health, then the Aloe Vera green bean Sweet Porridge from Vietnam is something you should try out! With the hot summer coming, you're going to need something that will keep your skin fresh. Plus, this will even help you lose weight so you can get that hot summer bod! All you need for the ingredients are:
Whole mung bean
Aloe vera gel
sugar
Ais Kacang from Malaysia
Get your ABC from Malaysia, or “Ais Batu Campur”! Another easy and delicious mix and mix dessert to ease the summer heat in the comfort of your own home! All you'd need are:
Kidney beans
Jellies
Sweet corn
shaved ice
Evaporated milk
Rose syrup
Melted palm sugar
Peanuts, noodles, and ice cream are optional
Shikanji granita with lemon crème fraiche from India
Granted, the Shikanji Granita from India is more of a drink than a dessert, but it's too refreshing and rich to leave out of the list! You've got to have a taste of this sweet and tangy treat! All you would need to make it are:
Water
Sugar
Lemon juice
Mint
Salt
Cumin powder
Pomegranate seeds are optional
Douhua Tofu Pudding from Taiwan
In translation, Douhua can mean "Tofu Flower"! It's soft tofu that can resemble a pudding. The fun fact about Douhua is that you can eat it in the winter too! All you would need is to exchange it without ice and have it warm. To make this versatile dessert, you'd need:
Tofu
Ice
Sugar syrup
Peanuts
I must say, I can't wait to try these desserts myself! The days are getting hotter, signaling another quarantine to be spent inside our homes. Worry no more — just because we can't travel now doesn't mean we can't bring a bit of home-made taste of the outside world into our homes! Stay safe, wear your mask, and chase the hot summer days away with these easy-to-make Asian desserts!