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Kue ape
Kue ape: little green pandan pancakes with a thick spongy centre and a lacy, crackly skirt
Kue ape (also called kue tetek for its shape) is a Betawi snack sold from pushcarts outside schools and along the lanes of Kebon Kacang in the late afternoon, when children come out hungry. The vendor swirls pandan batter around a small domed pan so the edges fry paper-thin and lacy while the centre puffs into a soft, slightly chewy bump. They are sweet, fragrant and best eaten within minutes. A small non-stick pan or a Chinese wok-shaped crêpe pan works at home. The batter contains wheat and egg. Chef's tip: the swirl must happen the second the batter hits the pan; hesitate and the edge sets thick instead of lacy.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 3 ½ oz plain flour
- 1 oz rice flour
- 2 ⅛ oz caster sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup coconut milk
- 1 tsp pandan paste or extractor juice from 6 blended pandan leaves
- 1 tbsp vegetable oilfor the pan
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Whisk 3 ½ oz plain flour, 1 oz rice flour, 2 ⅛ oz caster sugar, 1 tsp baking powder and ¼ tsp salt together in a bowl.
2 minStep 2: Beat 1 egg with ¾ cup coconut milk and 1 tsp pandan paste or extract, pour into the dry ingredients and whisk to a smooth, runny batter, a little thinner than pancake batter. Rest for 10 minutes.
10 minStep 3: Heat a small domed or non-stick pan, about 14 cm across, over a medium heat and wipe it with a little 1 tbsp vegetable oil.
2 minStep 4: Pour in about 2 tablespoons of batter and immediately tilt and swirl the pan so a thin film runs up the sides, leaving a pool in the middle. Common mistake: using too much batter; you want a thin skirt and a small thick centre, not a pancake.
1 minStep 5: Cover and cook for about 2 minutes, until the edges are golden, crisp and lacy and the centre has puffed and springs back when touched. Do not flip.
2 minStep 6: Slide out and repeat with the rest of the batter. Eat warm, while the skirt still crackles.
12 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 230 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 32 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kue ape take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 20 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 vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of caster sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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