เฉาก๊วยโอวัลติน

เฉาก๊วยโอวัลติน: Thai Grass Jelly with Ovaltine — Easy Recipe for Home Cooks

Introduction — เฉาก๊วยโอวัลติน

เฉาก๊วยโอวัลติน is a delightful Thai street-style treat that pairs cool, herbal grass jelly with the malty chocolate flavor of Ovaltine. It’s refreshingly simple, perfect for hot days, and friendly for beginners. This recipe shows two easy ways to prepare เฉาก๊วยโอวัลติน at home: make grass jelly from powder or use store-bought grass jelly cubes. Makes about 4 servings. Active time: 20 minutes. Chilling time: 1–2 hours.

Ingredients — เฉาก๊วยโอวัลติน

• For the grass jelly (homemade):
  • 1 liter (4 cups) water
  • 25–40 g (about 1–1.5 oz) grass jelly powder (follow package ratios if provided)
  • 3–5 tablespoons granulated sugar, to taste
• Or use:
  • 1 can or 500 g store-bought grass jelly, cut into cubes
• For the Ovaltine mixture:
  • 6 tablespoons Ovaltine powder (adjust to taste)
  • 120 ml (1/2 cup) hot water to dissolve
  • 240–360 ml (1–1.5 cups) milk (dairy, soy, or oat) or a mix of milk + 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk for richer sweetness
• To serve:
  • Ice cubes
  • Optional: extra Ovaltine powder for dusting, fresh fruit, or a splash of coconut milk

Instructions — เฉาก๊วยโอวัลติน

1. Make the grass jelly (powder method): In a pot, whisk the grass jelly powder into 1 liter of cold water until dissolved. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it comes to a gentle boil and slightly thickens (3–5 minutes). Add sugar and stir to dissolve. Simmer for another minute.
2. Set the jelly: Pour the hot mixture into a shallow container or mold. Allow to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 1–2 hours until fully set into a firm jelly.
3. If using store-bought grass jelly: Open the can or package and cut the jelly into bite-sized cubes. Keep chilled.
4. Prepare the Ovaltine milk: Dissolve Ovaltine powder in 120 ml (1/2 cup) hot water, stirring until smooth. Add 240–360 ml (1–1.5 cups) milk and sweetened condensed milk if using; taste and adjust sweetness. Chill if you prefer an extra-cold drink.
5. Assemble เฉาก๊วยโอวัลติน: Place a generous handful of grass jelly cubes into each glass. Add ice cubes if using. Pour the Ovaltine milk over the jelly until the glass is nearly full. Sprinkle a little extra Ovaltine on top or drizzle with condensed milk for added richness.
6. Serve immediately with a spoon and wide straw so you can enjoy the jelly and malted milk together.

Cooking Tips — เฉาก๊วยโอวัลติน

– Use the package instructions: Grass jelly powders vary. If your powder has specific water-to-powder instructions, follow them for best texture.

– Control sweetness: Ovaltine and condensed milk add sweetness—start with less and adjust to taste. You can use unsweetened milk to lower sugar.

– Dissolve Ovaltine well: Mix the powder into hot water first to prevent lumps, then add cold milk to reach serving temperature.

– Texture matters: Overcooking grass jelly can make it too firm. Remove from heat once it thickens and stir briefly.

– Variations: Replace dairy with coconut milk for a tropical twist, or add pandan syrup for extra fragrance. For a vegan option, use plant-based milk and maple syrup or coconut sugar instead of condensed milk.

Nutritional Information — เฉาก๊วยโอวัลติน

Approximate nutrition per serving (1 of 4), using homemade grass jelly and Ovaltine milk made with 1 cup milk + 6 tbsp Ovaltine and 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk:

• Calories: ~220 kcal
• Carbohydrates: ~38 g
• Sugars: ~28 g
• Protein: ~6 g
• Fat: ~6 g
• Sodium: ~80 mg

Note: These values are estimates. Nutrition will vary with ingredient brands, portion size, and whether you use condensed milk, sweeteners, or plant-based milk. To reduce calories, use less Ovaltine or a lower-fat milk alternative.

Conclusion — เฉาก๊วยโอวัลติน

เฉาก๊วยโอวัลติน is an easy, satisfying Thai treat you can recreate at home in under an hour (plus chilling time). Whether you make the jelly from powder or use store-bought cubes, the combination of cool herbal jelly and malty Ovaltine is comforting and fun to customize. Try different milks, sweetness levels, and garnishes, then share your own version of เฉาก๊วยโอวัลติน with friends. If you enjoyed this recipe, leave a comment and tell me how you served it!