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Chè khoai môn (taro and sticky rice in coconut milk)

Taro coconut dessert

Chè khoai môn: purple-flecked taro and glutinous rice cooked creamy in coconut milk

Southern Vietnamese cooks make chè khoai môn for ancestor offerings and for chilly monsoon evenings, when a warm, creamy bowl is welcome; Saigon stalls sell it hot from big pots. Chunks of taro, some left whole and some crushed into the pot, cook with glutinous rice until the whole thing turns thick and faintly lilac, then coconut milk is poured over. Chef's tip: wear gloves or oil your hands when peeling raw taro; the sap can make skin itch badly.
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
easy
Serves
4
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Ingredients

Serves4

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Method

0/4 done
  1. Step 1: Simmer drained 2 ⅞ oz glutinous (sticky) rice with 2 pandan leaves in 1 litre of water over a medium heat, stirring now and then, for 10 minutes until the grains begin to swell.

    10 min
  2. Step 2: Add 14 oz taro and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring often, until the cubes are soft enough to crush against the side of the pot. Crush about a quarter of them to thicken the chè.

    15 min
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 ⅛ oz sugar, 1 pinch salt and two-thirds of ¾ cup coconut milk and simmer 3 minutes, until thick, creamy and pale purple.

    3 min
  4. Step 4: Remove the pandan, ladle into bowls, swirl over the rest of ½ cup coconut milk and sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Serve warm.

Nutrition per serving

Calories
390 kcal
Protein
4 g
Carbs
62 g
Fat
15 g
Fibre
4 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does chè khoai môn (taro and sticky rice in coconut milk) take?
About 45 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegan?
Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
What can I use instead of sugar?
Caster sugar, same amount.
What can I use instead of coconut milk?
Single cream, same amount (not dairy free).

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