Agar-agar is a natural vegetable gelatin substitute produced from a variety of seaweed vegetation. White and semi-translucent, it is sold in packages as washed and dried strips or in powdered form. Agar-agar is approximately 80% fiber, so it can serve as an intestinal regulator.

Agar Agar is sold in health food stores, Chinese grocery stores,and Indian stores, in both flake and powder varieties, and can be used in a variety of dairy-free and vegan recipes as a stabilizing and thickening agent for custards,puddings, sauces and even vegetarian marshmallows.

Ingredients

• 4              cups half and half
• 1              can (370 ml) evaporated milk
• 3/4           cup sugar (or to taste)
• 2-1/2        level tsp Agar agar powder
• 1/2           tsp crushed cardamom seeds
• 1/4           tsp nutmeg powder
• 1/8           tsp pink colorer 1/4 tsp saffron

For decoration

• 1/4 cup chopped almonds and pistachios
• 1/4 cup pomagrate seeds

Instructions

1. Mix everything and boil it. When it starts to boil remove it from the stove, pour it in a serving bowl and cool it before you put it in the fridge.
2. Decorate with almonds and pistachios before serving.

You can set this in a medium size bowl or 4- 8 oz bowls.

If you are using the grass agar agar, soak it in a cup of water for 2 hours, then boil it on medium heat until it completely dissolves and then add it to the warm milk and boil the mixture.

Variations

You can use 1/4 tsp saffron instead of the pink colour.