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Epicurious

Coconut-Pandan Jam (Kaya Jam)

By Katherine Sacks

2.2

(4)

Image may contain Food Mayonnaise Custard Drink Milk and Beverage
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi

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.

Cooks' Note

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

1 (13.5-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
1/4 cup sugar
8 pandan leaves, 17–20" long
8 large egg yolks

Preparation

  1. 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.

  2. Do Ahead

    Step 3

    Kaya can be made up to 1 week ahead; keep chilled.

TagsCondimentJamSpreadsSauceMalaysianSoutheast AsianAsianCoconut MilkGluten FreeVegetarianEasyMake AheadSimmerEpicurious

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