Agar Agar Jelly | Rose Pudding | Agar Agar Rose Jelly | China Grass Rose Jelly | Eggless Rose Pudding | Valentine's Day Recipes | Heart Shaped Jellies

Agar agar jelly is such a treat to dessert lovers and has been my most favorite. And for those who do not use gelatin an animal extract, agar agar is a blessing I'd say. It is extracted from sea-weed, a plant source suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Agar agar can be used to make jellies, puddings, jams and desserts. It is also benefiting to health in many ways as it is rich in iron, calcium, it is also high in fiber, low in fat and carbohydrates, hence gives a fuller feeling and is best for dieting and fasting. If you are conscious about health you can skip sugar in your dessert and have it plain or replace it with honey or any low calorie sweetener. 

Here is a rose pudding, that will be best fitting dessert for valentine's day treat. This pudding tastes like rose milk, kids and grown ups will love it and the dessert will vanish in minutes. I couldn't myself resist from tasting a few heart jellies while clicking ;) You can make variations with the same base, you can add chopped nuts, fresh rose petals or rose preserve. The measurement I used gave me perfect jellies and has not gone wrong so far, no one would guess its agar agar. I enjoy preparing these as they are super easy to make and also interesting to see the jelly get set in room temperature. I have used rose preserve just for an added excitement but its all optional. You can enlighten your valentine's day dessert as you wish by using your creativity. Make your day even more delightful with this easy to prepare dessert!!

INGREDIENTS

Total Preparation Time - approximately 2 hours 

1. Milk - 500 ml 
2. Agar agar strips - 5 grams 
3. Sugar - 75 grams 
4. Rose essence - 1/8 teaspoon 
5. Pink food color - As required (use additional color only if your rose essence does not have added colors) 
6. Gulkand / Sweet Rose Preserve - 2 teaspoons (optional)

PREPARATION METHOD

• Boil milk and set aside. 
• When it turns warm, add rose essence, sugar, and stir well. Then add gulkand (rose preserve), pink food color (optional) and mix well. Now check for sugar and add extra if needed. 

• Then take the agar agar strips and cut it into smaller pieces using a scissors. Then wash it well in water, squeeze off water and put the strips in a saucepan. 
• Now pour water (nearly 75 to 100 ml) until the strips gets immersed well. Then place on flame and stir frequently. The agar agar will start to dissolve after few minutes. Just wait patiently. 
• After about 10 to 15 minutes it will dissolve completely and seem like syrup. There will be no tit bits left. 

• Now remove from flame and pour the agar agar solution into the prepared milk mix and stir really well. 

• Pour into your favorite moulds or into a baking tray or any clean dry tray and set aside until it cools down completely. The jelly will set well in room temperature itself you can either chill it or serve directly. It may take upto 1 to 2 hours for setting well depending on the volume.
• Now place in refrigerator until it chills well. 
• Remove from moulds (it will easily come out when set well) and serve. If you use a baking pan you can simply cut out squares or shapes using a cookie cutter. 

TIP 1: Measure the right amount of agar agar and use it, else your pudding/jelly might not set well. If the jelly is very thick it might mean that you have added too much of agar agar strips. There are also instant agar agar crystals available which can be used according to the packaged instructions. You cannot use the same amount of agar agar crystals instead of agar agar strips, so check the package for instructions and use accordingly.

TIP 2: Never add the agar agar strips directly, always dissolve it first in water and then use it in recipes. 

TIP 3: Always take care to use the agar agar solution while its still hot, if it cools down you can re-heat it again and use it. 

 Super delicious, delectable and lovely rose pudding jelly is now ready!! Serve chilled and enjoy!!




Today the world celebrates valentine's day exchanging gifts and sharing love, but the funnier side is no one knows what's true love. 
So,What is LOVE?
The Bible gives the perfect definition!!
 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7

The definition is so direct and precise and does not need any further explanation. Am sure none other than God can unconditionally love us!! His love has the above characteristics and it cannot be compared with earthly love. Hope your valentine's day is filled with such heavenly love, unlimited joy and Godly peace. Broken hearts, don't worry there is a valentine always waiting for you, with wide open hands and a warm heart ready to share this unconditional love. His (Jesus) love never fails!!

The Valentine verse from Bible!!
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have Eternal life."
- John 3:16

Check out my other 10+ Valentine's day recipes here
And for the most loved and most pinned recipe "Heart shaped paniyaram" click here!!
Happy Valentine's day friends!!