Aloe Vera Dessert

We were with some friends sometime before the Chinese New Year, when someone mentioned that he always gets aloe vera leaves from his grandma's garden in Malacca to make tong sui (Cantonese for a sweet soupy dessert). He offered to bring some back for me since I always enjoy a bowl of chilled tong sui on a hot,humid day.

The aloe vera leaves were HUGE, bigger
than any that I've seen. I suppose the soil
in Malacca must be rich in nutrients!

Cut off the side thorns then slice off the skin
 with a vegetable peeler

Slice open the leaf, then cut into strips

Cut the fleshy pulp loose from the skin

Cut the flesh into bite-size cubes

Throw it into a large pot, add water and red dates.
Boil, then add sugar according to taste.

And there you have it, a simple and tasty dessert that's good for the skin :)