Name: Soy Milk with Grass Jelly
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 cup Dried soybeans; 6 cups Water for blending; 3 leaves Pandan leaves, knotted; 0.5 cup Rock sugar or cane sugar; 10 oz Grass jelly (cincau)

"Experience the perfect balance of creamy, homemade soy milk and the cooling, herbal notes of grass jelly. This iconic Asian beverage is as nourishing as it is refreshing, offering a unique textural delight in every sip."

Ingredients

Qty	Item
1 cup 200 g	Dried soybeans
6 cups 1.5 l	Water for blending
3 leaves 3 pieces	Pandan leaves, knotted
0.5 cup 100 g	Rock sugar or cane sugar
10 oz 300 g	Grass jelly (cincau)

How to Make Soy Milk with Grass Jelly

Soak the dried soybeans in plenty of water for at least 6 to 8 hours, or overnight, until they have doubled in size.

Drain the soaking water and rinse the beans thoroughly under cold running water, rubbing them together to remove any loose skins.

Place the beans in a high-speed blender with 1.5 liters of fresh water and blend until completely smooth.

Pour the blended mixture into a nut milk bag or a fine muslin cloth held over a large pot. Squeeze the bag firmly to extract all the soy milk, leaving the dry pulp (okara) behind.

Add the knotted pandan leaves to the pot and bring the liquid to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to ensure the milk doesn't scorch at the bottom.

Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes to cook off the raw bean flavor.

Stir in the rock sugar until completely dissolved, then remove from heat and let it cool. Discard the pandan leaves.

Cut the grass jelly into small cubes or use a grater to create long, thin strands.

To serve, place several spoonfuls of grass jelly into a tall glass and pour the chilled soy milk over it. Serve immediately with a wide straw.

·
To achieve the smoothest milk, use a nut milk bag rather than a metal sieve.
·
Always stir the soy milk while it is heating to prevent a skin from forming and to keep the bottom from burning.
·
If you prefer a richer taste, use slightly less water during the blending process.
·
For a 'Michael Jordan' version common in Singapore, serve it over plenty of ice with a higher ratio of grass jelly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use store-bought soy milk for this recipe?

Yes, you can use unsweetened store-bought soy milk to save time; simply heat it with pandan and sugar, then cool before adding the jelly.

Is grass jelly vegan and gluten-free?

Yes, traditional grass jelly is made from the Platostoma palustre plant and starch, making it naturally vegan and gluten-free.

How long does homemade soy milk stay fresh?

Since it contains no preservatives, homemade soy milk should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consumed within 2 to 3 days.

Why is it called a Michael Jordan drink?

In parts of Southeast Asia, the combination of white soy milk and black grass jelly is colloquially named after the basketball star because of the contrasting colors.

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