Ais, also known as Ais Kacang or ABC (Ais Batu Campur), is a popular and refreshing dessert in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia and Singapore. This delightful treat is composed of a colorful array of sweet ingredients and is often topped with a generous drizzle of syrup or condensed milk. If you’ve been wanting to recreate this iconic dessert at home, you’re in luck. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make your own ais at home.
Ingredients:
– Shaved ice
– Red beans
– Grass jelly
– Sweet corn
– Attap chee (palm seed)
– Nata de coco (coconut gel)
– Grass jelly
– Evaporated milk
– Syrup (such as rose syrup, sarsaparilla syrup, or gula Melaka)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the ingredients: Start by preparing all the necessary ingredients. Cook the red beans until they are soft and sweeten them with sugar. Cut the grass jelly into small, bite-sized pieces. Drain the attap chee and nata de coco from their syrup and set aside.
2. Shave the ice: Use a shaved ice machine or a blender to crush the ice into a fine, fluffy texture, resembling snow.
3. Assemble the ais: In a serving bowl, add a generous amount of shaved ice. Then, place the red beans, grass jelly, attap chee, nata de coco, and sweet corn on top of the ice.
4. Drizzle with syrup and milk: Pour your choice of syrup over the ice, ensuring that it covers the entire dessert. The most common choices are rose syrup, sarsaparilla syrup, or gula Melaka. Next, drizzle a generous amount of evaporated milk over the top.
5. Serve and enjoy: Your ais is now ready to be served. Grab a long spoon and dig in, making sure to scoop up a bit of everything in each bite.
Variations:
– For a modern twist, you can add toppings such as grass jelly ice cream, lychee, or even freshly-cut fruit like mango or strawberries.
– Try experimenting with different flavors of syrup to create your own unique combination.
Ais is a versatile dessert and can be enjoyed in various ways, so don’t be afraid to get creative. Whether you’re enjoying it as a midday snack or as a sweet ending to a meal, this dessert is sure to be a hit with family and friends. Follow this recipe and let your imagination run wild as you create your own delicious ais at home.
