Mung Beans, Red Beans, Agar-agar with Coconut Milk will satisfy my craving even though it is not the traditional Filipino Halo Halo with milk. Either way, both desserts are delicious and refreshing. I just came back from vacation and I think I’m experiencing post vacation blues. No mood swings but food cravings. I am too lazy to go out and order or get the ingredients to make halo halo. The only thing I have on hand are mung beans, red beans, agar-agar and coconut milk and these will do it.
When I go to a Vietnamese restaurant, I usually order Che Ba Mau, a Vietnamese Three Color Bean Dessert. What I’m making is very similar to this dessert but instead I’m using a multi-color agar-agar (jelly or gelatin). Oh, this is so good during hot summer days but it doesn’t matter if it’s winter I’ll still make it.
In fact, if you want to quickly make this dessert, you can buy the beans already cooked. Go to any Asian store and they have it. Make the agar-agar ahead of time and it’s really easy. Agar-agar is sold in powder form or bars in different colors. Please check my posting “How to Make Gulaman (Agar-agar)”.
Some people soak the beans overnight. I don’t. It is cooked by boiling it in water until soft. These beans when boiled will expand. So if you don’t intend to make this dessert everyday a half cup of beans will make a few servings.
Benefits of Red and Mung Beans
Red and mung beans are beneficial to your health. They are rich in nutrients like protein, fiber and antioxidants.
Benefits of Agar-agar
Agar-agar is good for your bones as it is high in calcium and magnesium. Also, the fiber found in agar-agar has many digestive benefits.
Benefits of Coconut Cream
Coconut cream or milk are high in antioxidants. It is rich in Vitamins C and E.
How to Make Mung Beans, Red Beans, Agar-agar with Coconut Milk Dessert
Note: In my video, I used 1 cup of red beans and 1 cup of mung beans. I was preparing it for a larger group of people. The recipe below is cut in half.
A delicious and refreshing Asian dessert with shaved ice. Great on hot summer days.
- 1/2 cup split hulled mung beans boiled until soft
- 1/2 cup red beans boiled until soft
- 1 agar-agar bar any color
- 1 can coconut cream or milk
- pandan or vanilla flavor optional
- shaved ice depending on how many cups you are making
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup water
Boil mung beans and red beans separately with 3 cups of water over medium heat until soft. Drain water. Let it cool before using.
To make agar-agar bar, visit “How to Make Gulaman (Agar-agar)”. Cut in cubes or strips.
Heat sugar and water in a small pot under medium heat. When sugar is dissolved, remove from heat. Set aside to cool.
Time to assemble this dessert.
In a tall glass, add 2 tablespoons of each ingredients: mung beans, red beans and agar-agar.
Pour about 3-4 tablespoons of coconut cream and 3 tablespoons sugar syrup.
Fill the glass with shaved ice about ¾ full.
Add flavoring like pandan or vanilla but optional. I don’t. It is good even without it.
Top it with 1 teaspoon of mung and red beans and 1 teaspoon agar-agar.
Eat immediately before ice melts. Before eating, mix it all up. Enjoy!
- This will make 5 to 8 servings depending on glass size.
- I used my blender to shave the ice.
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