Vibrant Vietnamese Fruit Cocktail Recipe - Flavourful, Colourful, Easy to Make - Chè Thái

coconut milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: evaporated milk

Almond milk is lower in calories and still creamy.

tapioca pearls

🥗Healthier: chia seeds

💰Cheaper: none

Chia seeds provide similar texture with added nutrients.

jackfruit

🥗Healthier: mango

💰Cheaper: none

Mango is widely available and offers a sweet flavor.

longan

🥗Healthier: lychee

💰Cheaper: none

Lychee is a similar fruit that can be easier to find.

Drain the cans of longan, lychee, toddy palm seed, coconut jelly, jackfruit, and grass jelly, saving all the syrups for later.

Slice the jackfruit into thin strips and cube the grass jelly, keeping everything chilled.

Cut one can of water chestnuts into small 1/4 inch cubes.

Add 3 to 4 drops of red food coloring to the water chestnuts and toss until evenly coated.

Dust the colored water chestnuts generously with tapioca starch, ensuring every piece is covered.

Shake off the extra starch in a colander.

Bring a small pot of water to a rolling boil.

Drop in the coated water chestnuts and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes until they float and turn slightly translucent.

Scoop them out and plunge them into an ice bath for 10 minutes, then drain and keep them chilled.

Gently warm 1 cup of coconut milk over low heat without boiling.

Add 1/2 cup of sugar to the coconut milk and stir until it dissolves, then let it cool completely.

In a large bowl, combine the longan, lychee, coconut jelly, toddy palm seed, jackfruit, grass jelly, and the red rubies.

Pour in 1 cup of half and half cream, the reserved fruit syrups, and the sweetened coconut milk.

Adjust the amounts of fruit syrups or coconut milk to taste, using about 2/3 of the coconut milk to avoid excessive sweetness.

Gently stir the mixture, taste, and adjust with more syrup for sweetness or a splash of cold water or coconut water for a lighter flavor.

Serve immediately over crushed ice or chill for an hour to let the flavors mingle, stirring before ladling into glasses or bowls.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: