Split Pea Coconut Pudding (馬豆糕)
This is a traditional Chinese Cantonese dessert that you might have tried at dim sum places. It tastes a bit like coconut panna cotta with a more solid texture, a bit like pudding + jello, not too sweet and light enough to consume after a big dinner. Ok, it’s hard to describe so just try it. I might try to experiment with different flavors next… stay tuned!
Ingredients
- Split Pea — 3 oz or 3/8 cup
- Evaporated Milk — 1 can (12 fluid oz)
- Coconut Milk — 1 can
- Sugar — 8 to 9 oz
- Corn Starch — 5 to 6 oz (6 oz for more solid texture)
Instructions
- Cook split pea in boiling water until soft, approximately 35-40 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pot, heat up 1.5 cups of water and melt sugar in medium heat.
- In a separate bowl, mix 1.5 cups of water with corn starch.
- When the sugar is thoroughly melted, add evaporated milk and coconut milk. When it’s hot, turn heat down to low, stir and slowly mix in starch water.
- Before the mixture boils, mix in the cooked split pea. Continue to stir; as the mixture boils, it will start to turn white. Let it boil for a few minutes while stirring.
- Turn off heat. Pour the mixture into a desired container* and let cool.
- Cover and refrigerate. Serve cold.
- I prefer to use large deep glass plates for pour. The dessert will form into a cake-like shape and you can cut into cake slices or cubes for serving.
This is what it should look like after it’s poured and cooling.