This creamy custard is popular in Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia and Singapore, where it's slathered onto toasted fluffy white bread and served with poached eggs as a morning snack. Often called the vanilla of Southeast Asia, the long, narrow, vibrant green pandan leaves give the jam its signature aromatic flavor.
Pandan is available at Asian grocery stores and online.
Recipe information
Total Time
50 minutes, plus cooling time
Yield
Makes about 1 3/4 cups
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Heat coconut milk and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium. Tie pandan leaves together in a knot and add to pot. Bring to a simmer, cover, and let steep 30 minutes. Uncover pot and return to a simmer.
Step 2
Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Whisk egg yolks in a medium heatproof bowl until fluffy. Slowly whisk in half of coconut milk mixture until smooth. Whisk in remaining coconut milk mixture. Set bowl on pot of water (bottom of bowl should not touch water). Reduce heat and bring water to a simmer. Cook, stirring, until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of spoon and an instant-read thermometer registers 180°F, 4–5 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a resealable container or jar; discard solids. Press plastic wrap onto surface and chill until set, at least 4 hours.
Do Ahead
Step 3
Kaya can be made up to 1 week ahead; keep chilled.
Recipe notes
Back to topSee Related Recipes and Cooking Tips
77 Ways to Use a Can of Coconut Milk
Rich, versatile canned coconut milk plays a central role in many curries—but that's just the beginning of what this pantry superstar can do.67 After-School Snacks for Back-to-School Season
From healthy veggie chips and energy bites to edible cookie dough, we've got your family's after-school snacking covered.Kaya Toast: The Story of One of Malaysia’s Best Breakfasts
Sweet, savory, salty, and utterly satisfying.
12062017.jpg)
