" Job's tears " is a grain familiar to Thai people and has long been used in cooking. It is a source of complex carbohydrates as well as vitamin B1, vitamin B2, calcium, phosphorus, and dietary fiber, which aid digestive function and help reduce cholesterol levels. Using Job's tears in sweet dishes is another way to easily and deliciously add grains to your meals.
1. Job's Tears with Young Coconut
A classic Thai dessert where Job's tears are boiled until tender, then simmered with sugar and tapioca or arrowroot starch to achieve a pleasantly chewy texture. Young coconut meat is added for fragrance and richness, topped with fresh coconut milk that balances sweetness with a salty note. This dish offers a soft, chewy texture and an inviting aroma.
2. Longan Sweet Soup with Job's Tears
A refreshing cold dessert that combines cooked Job's tears with traditional ingredients like bok kia starch, red beans, Chinese jujubes, and grass jelly. It is served with fragrant sweet longan syrup and ice to cool down, providing both refreshment and nutritional benefits from a variety of grains.
3. Blended Job's Tears Milk
A modern drink and dessert perfect for busy days. Cooked soft Job's tears are blended with fresh milk (or pistachio milk/soy milk as preferred) and slightly sweetened with pure honey. The result is a smooth, creamy beverage that is filling and nourishing, ideal as a wholesome snack.
4. Custard Topped with Job's Tears
An adaptation of traditional pumpkin or sticky rice custard, where cooked Job's tears are mixed into pandan egg custard or sprinkled on top before steaming. The smooth custard contrasts with the chewy texture of the grains, enhancing nutritional value in this favorite dessert.
5. Red Bean and Job's Tears Coconut Soup
A Chinese-Thai style dessert where Job's tears and red beans are boiled until soft and tender, sweetened with palm sugar or brown sugar. It is served in bowls topped with smoked coconut cream, offering a rich, sweet, and creamy flavor packed with protein from both grains.
Job's tears have a relatively hard texture and require time to cook. Proper preparation helps the grains cook faster and makes them easier to use in desserts. Here are some preparation techniques:
Boiling Boil them in water with pandan leaves to eliminate the grain's distinctive smell, simmering until the Job's tears swell and become tender as desired before using them in various sweet recipes.