Kaya Puffs

Today, I decided to make a delicacy from my country, kaya puffs.  This was my first attempt making this scrumptious pastry.  It is semi circle pastry centered with caramelized coconut custard.

One bite, the soft and crusty pie-like pastry crumbles and melts in your mouth before the sweet and nutty flavor of the custard permeates the taste buds.  Well, at least this is how it was supposed to be like.

I set out to make this wonderful pastry full of confidence.  I have the recipe in hand and all the ingredients ready....it shouldn't be that hard.  So, I knead and roll the dough to my desired shape and then came the wrapping.  From the picture in the recipe book, the edges of the pastry was pinched into a pattern.  Now, since it was my first time....I didn't get that same look when I pinched and folded the edges.

Ahh....it actually look hideous.  But I baked them anyway.  To my surprise, it turn out better than I expected.  So, I will be sharing this with some friends tomorrow. ;p

Kaya

Lately, I have been having cravings for kaya (caramelized coconut custard).  So, yesterday, I finally put my feet down and cracked my knuckles and got all the ingredients I needed to make KAYA.

Of course, I didn't know the recipe, so using the usual custard recipe, I manipulated it in order to make kaya.  Hahaha!!!  But then I started having second thoughts, so, I rushed to the computer to search for kaya recipe.  Haaa.....

I realized that most recipes used whole eggs, whereas I was using egg yolks (since I based it on custard recipe).  Anyway, after mixing three egg yolks with corn starch, I decided to add three additional whole eggs.  And since I had quite a lot of eggs now, I used the entire can of coconut milk (400 ml) I bought from the oriental store.  Right before I added the sugar, I suddenly remembered something my mom did---adding caramel into the mixture.  So, behaving like a mad scientist, I decided to add half of the 150 ml of sugar into the mixture and another half I melted it into caramel.

Then, thinking I was brilliant, I added the steaming hot caramel into my silky smooth custard.  An explosion like reaction occurred, followed by waff of steam.  By the time everything seemed to settle, I noticed my silky smooth custard looked like curdled custard.  I think my soul left me momentarily....

But I didn't want to give up my KAYA.  I refused to think my KAYA didn't make it.  I tried to resuscitate to its silky self using a sieve and a rubber spatula.  Through the sieve, I vigorously pushed all the curdled custard.  But at last, I only managed to make KAYA into rough looking custard.  It tasted good though.

Oh well, I guessed some life came back after all, but it was not in its top shape.  I will try better next time.

My ebook Change

I recently published an ebook titled Change in Kindle.  This was my first attempt publishing it.

The more I read my work, the more I think it has a feel of manga.  Hahaha!!!  Probably influence from reading too many manga.  I hate to admit it, but, I really think it can turn into a manga.  If my drawing is more consistent, I would probably try to draw it out.  Hahaha!!

Anyway, check it out in Amazon's Kindle.  Just type the key words, Change York Choo, that should do it.  Otherwise, try the link below.

http://www.amazon.com/Change-ebook/dp/B004D4ZQQW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1292893575&sr=8-1

I am excited with this book, in fact, I am currently working on a sequel which I hope to include more mystery and action to it.

Enjoy!

Uni

Uni or sea urchin is one of my favorite food.  I usually order this when eating sushi (mostly while in Japan.)  It is difficult to get good fresh uni here in Spokane.  Anyway, just recently we found a place in California that sells bottled uni.  Maruhide is the company that has been in uni business for over 30 years.  And we purchased 10 bottles from them just a few weeks ago.  Mmmm...mmmm....it was so good.

For those who had not tried uni, it has a creamy taste.  Sweet and tasty.  I like in as a sushi and on top of a bowl of sushi rice.  Hahaha...just thinking about it is making me salivate like Pavlov's dog.

I guessed it can't be helped.  I will have it tonight for dinner---uni don.