Kuih Sagu Kukus (Steamed Sago Cake)

Recall our discussion on sago in "Effortless Malay Desserts"? Let's delve into it again, this time focusing on Kuih Kukus Sago/Steamed Sago Cakes. Despite their delightful flavor, they consistently turned out too sticky. Even after coating them with fresh grated coconut, they clung to fingers, prompting me to serve them in a saucer with a fork, which is actually how the cakes should be served, to prevent spillage and mess on the floor. Baffled by their stickiness, I experimented with various methods: steaming, cooking with water until thick, and chilling. Yet, none resolved the issue.

 

After hours of online research, I discovered the secret: adding corn flour prevents excessive stickiness. Another crucial tip emerged: soaking sago in water with pandan juice for natural color and aroma. Avoiding hand rinsing prevents sago from breaking, as some have inquired.

 

Don't you agree these sago cakes are truly tempting? You can't wait to indulge in their charm and deliciousness, can you? They're simply irresistible.

Ingredients:

200g (1 packet) sago, soaked in water for approximately 1 hour, rinsed two or three times, and drained

4 to 5 pandan leaves

2 1/2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon cornflour (to bind sago together)

Fresh grated coconut, as needed

Pinch of salt

 

Method:

Blend or process pandan leaves with half a cup of water.

Strain to extract the juice.

Pour the pandan juice into the soaked sago.

Set aside for half an hour to allow the sago to absorb the color and scent of the pandan.

Drain off the pandan juice.

Gently mix the sago with sugar and cornflour.

Pour the mixture into a lightly oiled baking tray or pan.

Steam until the sago turns translucent.

Remove from the steamer and carefully cut into pieces.

Roll the warm sago pieces in fresh grated coconut mixed with a pinch of salt.

Turkey - Cappadocia (I Conquered Turkey)

How did this day go by? Pretty much a day taken up by road travelling. Right after breakfast and till we arrived late evening in Cappadocia ( Canakkale/Kusadasi/Pamukkale  & Istanbul Turkey ). Of course loo and meal breaks were not compromised, thanks to our pleasant tour guide who made it a point in enlivening us by sharing his knowledge on Turkey. This adorable guide also gave us a five minutes quickie break at the roadside where by right stopping is not allowed, but he still went ahead since we couldn't contain our excitement of seeing snow for the first time. I made sure a candid shot of me snow playing was captured, and within the next jiffy, we dashed back into the coach. 

Canakkale/Kusadasi/Pamukkale - I Conquered Turkey

On the same day itself, by 5.00pm (I Conquered Istanbul) we journeyed to Canakkale. Quite a long tiring journey, imagine sitting put in the coach for approximately 5 hours? Basically, patiently journeying and none else. None potentially, neither can you see anything outside because, believe me when I say that winter darkness will set it latest by 6.00pm, In fact even earlier. Wish there are internal flights in Turkey for flying us from one city to the other, hopefully there will be in the near future, but I guess for the time being, you don't have much choice except coach driven or if you self touring, you may consider hiring a car. This coach driven I think is sincerely a whole lot better because it does ease you from tiring yourself for no apparent reason and if you are sleeping beauty, better still. Some people I know can literally shut down anywhere, not me though. I did catnap in between, movie watching was also going on and tour guide did try to keep us entertained by speaking for the first half an hour. 

Istanbul, Turkey - I Conquered Istanbul (Part 1)

One of the things I learned about this whole composite of globe seeing is that I have so little tolerance for people who just simply must complain about everything and anything under the sun while travelling. In fact, I am yet to bump into someone who actually can be, lets not expect perfection, but even an adaptable travel companion is really hard to come by. Everyone I have traveled with before, somehow or rather, end up showing their ugly colours. Some really must branded as pathetic stingy idiots, whereas others, sorry guys, I have call them hard-core bitches. I guess the more we companionship travel, the more we discover different peculiar characters and behaviours. What else is new? Experiences without a doubt are major lessons to life. Trust me, I have already gathered suitcases of it by my fifties (Hanoi Vietnam). Additionally, I must thank those who post loving friendship travelling pictures on social media, yet in return, they do, wonder why, call me thereafter for massively bitching about travelling friendship disasters. Reality versus fake social media world. Indeed, the truth is out there, maybe some just refuse to accept. Travelling with family, let me warn you can be worse than hammer house of horror. Logically why I will stick to travelling on my own, now and forever (Chonburi & Pattaya - My Solo Trail). 

Mee Siam Kuah/Gravy (Vegetarian)

Anything is possible these days. Of course. I'm not in denial by the way that anything can be a matter even for food intake. In fact, considering that many are jumping into the back wagon of being a vegetarian, only god knows why, Indians on the whole we shouldn't speak about, there are many possibilities to a vegetarian meal these days. What about me, are you asking? Neh! Never have I thought of being a full blown vegetarian (Maggi Goreng Mamak & Mee Rebus Vegetarian). Of course every now and then, in fact every once a week, I am in the making. The making of a vegetarian meal (Chinese Vegetarian Noodle Soup & Mee Rojak Vegetarian) for my other half-half, and me, I can basically go with the flow. Out came this Mee Siam Kuah/Gravy Vegetarian on this particular Saturday from my kitchen and to our dining table. Mee Siam? I have already spoken about before (Nyonya Mee Siam, Singapore Mee Siam & Mee Siam)? I did. Mee Siam Vegetarian? Nothing is short coming or going. Still a delightful and really slurpy delicious, complete wholesome meal. Oh, for those of you who are anti-egg vegetarian, ditch egg aside and Mee Siam I think must have originated from Thailand? I don't know. You tell me please (Thapthim Krop, Tom Yum Noodle Soup & Siamese Laksa Lemak).

Thapthim Krop

Thapthim Krop, or Tab Tim Krob. Both the same fact to making this Thai dessert. Making the red rubies, or water chestnut soaked in red coloring, thereafter coated in tapioca flour and prior to cooking in simmering water. Once red rubies float atop, remove and submerge in ice water. That's it. Red rubies definitely are the centrality for Thapthim Krop and for our dessert pleasure, we just need to easily assemble (Khao Niaow Ma Muang/Mango Sticky Rice). Basically assembling red rubies alongside coconut milk and sugar syrup, and you can if you want to, add jackfruit. Done and over and me accomplishing my mission to making a Thai desserts instead of the usual savoury dishes I have been sharing one after the other (Tom Yum Noodle Soup, Vegan Tom Yum Soup & Thai Style Eggplant). Overall, Thapthim Krop is absolutely one of the best sweet delights of Thailand. Must try if you have not. Either make or head to any Thai restaurants where I bet Thapthim Krop will be on their menu.  

Tom Yum Noodle Soup

So, its back to Tom Yum again? Obviously. Though we did actually have a break from tom yum for like three months and then out came this latest version. But rather a different food calling actually due to its noodles in tom yum soup and which by far I have not made before. Perhaps the closest is Tom Yam Fried Mee Hoon or maybe I should also include Siamese Laksa Lemak. Nevertheless, what can be outstanding or unique for tom yum (Vegan Tom Yum Soup, Tom Yum Goong, Tom Kha Gai & Seafood Tom Yum Soup)? The pride and pleasure must be the various types of herbs, primarily kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass, and let's not never forget about chillies, plus I love fish sauce into tom yam or Thai dishes on the whole. Tom Yum Noodle Soup as you have already noted is not far behind in terms of some of the ingredients and it is also a tremendously sumptuous, fulfilling and power lashing noodle dish (Thai Tomato Soup, Shrimp Pad Thai Salad, Thai Fish Noodle Soup, Tom Yum Fried Rice & Spicy Thai Noodles).