Peach Kanten with Sweet Date Cream

Kanten is a Japanese dessert that is somewhat likened to jelly or Jell-O. It is made with agar-agar, a gelatinous substance that comes from several species of dried seaweeds. It’s a classic macrobiotic dessert. Deliciously simple, and simply delicious, this healthy dessert is also packed with the natural fibre in agar flakes.

Kanten

6 sweet ripe peaches

3 medjool dates, pits removed

1 cup apple juice

3 tbsp agar flakes

Pinch sea salt

Topping

Sweet date cream

Fresh blueberries

Sprig fresh mint for garnish

Sweet date cream

½ cup cashews, soaked overnight

6 tbsp almond milk or filtered water

3 medjool dates, pitted

¼ tsp lemon juice

¼ tsp vanilla

Drain the cashews and place all the ingredients for the cream in a high-speed blender. Blend until creamy. You may have to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender with a spatula a few times. Add more liquid to reach the desired consistency.

To remove the skins of the peaches easily, soak them in boiling filtered water for 30 seconds then transfer to an ice bath. Remove the skins and stones from the peaches and transfer the flesh to a blender. When blended you will have around 3 cups of puréed peaches. Add the dates to the blender.

In a small saucepan bring the apple juice, agar flakes and sea salt to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. Pour into the blender and blend to a creamy consistency. Divide into individual serving dishes and chill in the fridge to set. Top with some sweet date cream and fresh berries. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint. Makes 4–6 servings. Note – This delicious kanten can be made using many other seasonal fruits watermelon, strawberries, etc. – use a quantity that will give you 3 cups of puréed fruit.