Coffee Jelly
1 envelope unflavored gelatine*
1/4 cup cold water
1 3/4 cups strong, hot coffee
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whipped cream
Finely ground coffee (optional)
* For a firmer jelly, use 1 1/2 envelopes unflavored gelatine.
Soften gelatine in cold water. Add coffee and stir until gelatine is dissolved. Stir in sugar, salt and vanilla extract. Pour into 8 x 4-inch loaf dish and chill until firm.
Cut into cubes and spoon into small dessert glasses. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with finely ground coffee.
Yields 3 to 4 servings.
Broiled Bean Curd (Tofu Dangaku)
"Dangaku" is the Japanese name for a sort of fair, and it refers to a number of different foods, all of which are skewered before cooking. It refers both to street foods and to the stilts on which fair performers entertain the crowds.
1/4 cup sake
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame paste
1 tablespoon mirin (sweet Japanese cooking wine)
1 teaspoon grated gingerroot
1 pound firm bean curd (tofu)
Tempura Sauce, Hot Mustard Sauce
or Teriyaki Sauce
Mix sake, soy sauce, sesame paste, mirin and gingerroot in ungreased 10 x 6-inch baking dish. Cut bean curd into 1-inch cubes; arrange in sake mixture. Cover; refrigerate, turning bean curd once, 1 hour.
Soak six 8-inch bamboo or wooden skewers in water. Thread 4 bean curd cubes on each skewer.
Set oven to broil or 550 degrees F. Broil bean curd with tops about 4 inches from heat until light brown, 2 to 3 minutes; turn. Brush with marinade; broil 2 to 3 minutes. Serve with Tempura Sauce.
Yields 6 servings.