Agar Agar Santan Pandan (Pandan Coconut Milk Jelly)

I refused to give up after my failed jelly making attempt. I tried again and this time I was not disappointed.

In my determination to use pandan to color my jelly, I made another batch of pandan extract. I let it sit overnight in the fridge.

The next day, I poured away the water, leaving behind the dark green pigments. However, when boiled, they were speckled and made the water look "dirty" with tiny dots of green. Luckily I had not added the agar-agar powder yet and I threw the whole pot of water away. All that I lost was the water and sugar.

I started all over again and conceded defeat by adding green coloring. I added water, sugar, pandan leaves  and coloring first and brought it to a simmer. Then I added the agar-agar powder and stirred to make sure that it dissolved together with the sugar.

I used this one. This one is clear as they also come in other colors. So be careful when you choose.

Once the water came to a simmer, I added the santan and egg mixture, stirring constantly to avoid curdling. When the mixture appeared well mixed (it took on a creamy green shade), I increased the flame and let the liquid come to a rolling boil, stirring to ensure that it did not spill out of the pot.

After two minutes or so, I turned off the flame and poured the agar-agar mixture into a silicone mold, a mini bundt mold and a cake tin, making sure that I wet the molds first for easy removal later.

I am pleased to report that the agar-agar turned out quite well this time. It separated into two layers and took on a pleasant shade of green. I tasted one piece and wow, it was so good, full of pandan and santan fragrance.  It was really lovely.

At first I was concerned with the amount of sugar as I was not sure if it would be too sweet. Like the Americans, my Malay friends also have a sweet tooth. But my fears were unfounded as the sweetness of this jelly is just right.

Please visit Lina's blog for the original recipe which I have put the link below and also visit her Youtube page to see how she makes this agar-agar. I watched it five times already hee...hee....

Agar-Agar Santan Pandan (Pandan Coconut Milk Jelly)

Recipe source : Adapted from Teratak Mutiara Kasih

Ingredients :

- 800ml water

- 3 pandan leaves knotted

- 3/4 cup sugar

- some green coloring

- 1 packet agar-agar powder (10g)

- 200ml thick santan (coconut milk)

- 1 egg

Method :

1. In a mixing bowl, add egg and santan. Lightly beat to combine. Set aside

2. In a pot add water, sugar, coloring and pandan leaves.

3. Bring to a simmer and add agar-agar powder.

4. Stir to dissolve sugar and agar-agar powder.

5. When the mixture comes to a simmer, add the santan/egg mixture and stir constantly to avoid curdling.

6. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil and stir to avoid the mixture from spilling out of the pot.

7. Boil for about 2 minutes and switch off the flame.

8. Before pouring into jelly mold, make sure you wet the mold first (unless of you are using silicone mold) to ensure easy removal.

9. Once poured into mold, let it cool and then place in the fridge to chill and harden.