Desserts with a Twist: Sweet Recipes Featuring Water Chestnuts

Water Chestnut Desserts: Sweet Treats in Another GuiseDesserts are always a nice way to finish off a meal, but if you throw in something without warning then suddenly the memory will not be so delightful.Though water chestnuts are most often seen in savory dishes, they can also perform well in sweet recipes. With their gentle sweetness, crispy texture that yields on first bite and power to hold flavors they make the perfect complement to any desert that surprises and pleases the tongue. So let’s see just how water chestnuts can change the dessert game for you, modifying old standards into something all their own.Water Chestnuts why get them in to desserts?The water chestnuts can go with fruit tastes, or they can go with many other scents. They retain their crispness even after cooking and add texture to your desserts. Their sweet, slightly nutty flavor is a perfect match for honey, sugar and chocolate. In addition they are nutritious—naturally gluten-free and low in calories—great material to use in a healthy dessert.1. Candied Water Chestnuts with Honey and CinnamonThis is a good recipe to fix for when you want something light, yet sweet. Honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon turn ordinary water chestnuts into small, tasteful finger-food candies.How to Create Your Own:

Slice water chestnuts into rounds and blanche in hot water for 2 minutes.

In a pan, heat honey, sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice.

When the syrup comes to a boil toss in the water chestnuts a few at a time, coating them well. Then lay them out on a piece of baker’s paper to cool.

These candy water chestnuts are good as a topping for yogurt, oatmeal or ice cream.2. Water Chestnut and Coconut PuddingCreamy and delicious, a treat to enjoy all year round.

Chop water chestnuts into small pieces.

Combine coconut milk, sugar, and a pinch of salt in a large pot, heating until the sugar is dissolved.

Add the water chestnuts and tapioca pearls (if using) on to the simmering coconut mixture. Cook for 5 minutes or until it has thickened.

Serve pudding warm or chilled, garnished with a few threads of shredded coconut or mango slices.

Comfort and refreshment all year round 2. Sweet &Refreshing Water Chestnut Pudding

An easy way to dress up the tin foil magoes in your refrigerator. Try them in this new shape, though -- something else awaits your tastebuds!

Chocolate-Covered Water Chestnuts

For an easy and elegant dessert, dip water chestnuts into chocolate. Their crunch contrasts nicely with the smooth coating of rich chocolate.

How to Make It:

Slice the water chestnuts into thin chips or leave whole for bite-sized treats.

Melt milk or dark chocolate in a double boiler, adding a touch of vanilla extract for lightness.

Dip the water chestnuts 1 at a time into the chocolate, and place them onto a tray lined with wax paper.

Twist on the garnishes: sprinkle on crushed nuts, or sea salt-- even edible glitter will do if you're feeling particularly artsy today.

When the chocolate is set, you can enjoy them straight away as a guilt-free snack, or at a party and chill convivially. 4. Water Chestnut and Fruit Salad in Sweet Syrup

Mixing water chestnuts with fresh fruit not only livens up your summer salads, but also plays nicely with the crunch of the water chestnuts and the juiciness of the fruits. And a sweet syrup blends everything together.

How to Make It:

In a bowl, combine diced water chestnuts with strawberries, kiwi fruit and orange segments.

In a small saucepan, mix honey, orange juice and a little vanilla essence. Cook just until the volume is slightly reduced.

Pour this syrup over the fruit and mix gently.

This colorful salad is the way to go in summer either for the most unsophisticated picnic or as an alternative dessert following a heavy meal. 5. Water Chestnut and Rice Flour Cake

This steamed cake, inspired by traditional asian desserts is chewy, slightly sweet, and the crunch of water chestnuts.

Methods:

To make a smooth batter, combine rice flour, sugar, and water.

Add diced water. When making Chinese dumplings, some folks like to use the following dumplings recipe; run everything together so as not to reveal traces of fat or skin--it's just that kind of recipe.

Leave the batter covered in a warm place at temperature about 35 degree for about 5 hours.

You can also heat the skins up on a griddle if you have such in your home I hope this doesn't confound you too much The point is to win much praise and become a god in the confused world of Chinese meals.

Pour the batter into a greased pan and steam for 20–30 minutes.

Cover with a lid.

Remove from molds when set.

Cool and cut into squares.

Serve with a drizzle of coconut cream.

Begin by taking a hot waffle iron with no oil on it but scratch up the bottom a bit with an old belt pen or some sandpaper next connect your iPad mini to camera's Wifi so that it can respond After five minutes, place two squares of waffle batter (6")

7" for an inner circle-outer) onto the waffle iron and wait around 10 more min at which time close both sides which takes about 15 seconds.

This cake is gluten-free and makes a great dessert for lovers of chewy textures.

Eat well, be well, and have fun as you prepare your next vegetarian dinner: we hope you can discern the taste to come.

For a totally original frozen experience, why not try making water chestnut-flavoured ice cream? The result combines crunchy chestnuts with smooth ice cream.

chunk You will also appreciate that this most delightful mouth feel is unlike anything else on earth, definitely unlike the clanking of ice cubes scuttling down your shirt front.

Methods:

Blend milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla extract.

Dice water chestnut and fold it into the leftovers base ice cream.

Churn mixture in ice cream maker or store in tupperware box, stirring occasionally.

Finishing the ice cream with a sprinkle of chocolate chips or a drizzle of cream can heighten the decadent level.

A Caramel Tart Comes With Fine Water Chestnuts...

The flavour of water chestnuts and some of the texture are just lightly counter to that of the creamy rich caramel.

Balance of Texture: Crystal chestnuts is a vegetable that can make a dish creamy all over or soft in every place; its crunchy texture contrasts with the lingering sweet quality of this dish perfectly.

Infuse More Taste: Soak water chestnuts in syrups, juices, or flavored water to increase their flavor.

Brave Trying: Do not fear joining water chestnuts with unexpected things such as chocolate or caramel. Or tropical fruits.

In Summary

Water chestnuts in desserts provide a refreshing take on traditional recipes, introducing the tongue to a selection of new textures and tastes. Water chestnuts saltysweet pudding, water chestnuts coated chocolate ending life in its own little shell; it goes beyond being just another ingredient for savory dishes and takes on all sorts of forms.

So next time you crave something sweet and special, reach for a can of water chestnuts. Who knows? These recipes may just turn into the ones that regularly dazzle your family and friends!