Sweet Sharings https://sweetsharings.com/ Eat Healthy, Make time for Adventure and Count your Blessings! Mon, 17 Aug 2026 01:14:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/sweetsharings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/cropped-IMG_3674-300x300-1-e1635944012858.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Sweet Sharings https://sweetsharings.com/ 32 32 199328110 A Return to Sharing, Inspired by My Father.  https://sweetsharings.com/inspired-sharing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=inspired-sharing https://sweetsharings.com/inspired-sharing/#respond Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:08:40 +0000 https://sweetsharings.com/?p=8163 https://sweetsharings.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMG_0248.jpg I used to be very active on social media and on my blog, sharing stories, reflections, and moments from my life. Over the years, I stepped back. I needed rest. I needed space. And slowly, I became more guarded, sharing only on a “need to know” basis. There were many reasons for this pause. Tiredness. Demotivation. Hurtful comments that came from envy and resentment rather than kindness. You know, you can say negative things about someone behind their back, but sooner or later, those words find their way back to the person.  Even with genuine friends encouraging me to return, I felt too weak at the time to face it all again. It especially stung when unkind words came from people I thought were close. I shared with the intention to inspire, never to make anyone feel “less than.” Yet that was how some chose to receive it. For me, writing and creating digital content were a form of therapy. They were a way to process my thoughts, to make sense of my experiences, and to nurture my own mental happiness. When I wrote, I felt lighter. When I shared, I felt connected. That was my reward. This journey actually began in 1998, when my father gave me my very first computer. I started an old blog that year, a simple space to write and reflect during a difficult time in my life. Later, I deleted that original blog and started a new one in 2000, which grew over the years before being neglected for a long time. Through it all, one thing remained constant: my dad’s belief that I needed an outlet. He saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself at the time. He believed that writing could be a safe space for me, a place to pour out my heart and find clarity. He was right. That simple act of giving me a computer opened a door that has stayed with me ever since. Thank you, Dad. ❤️ It was not just blogging. It was creating. I started with my poems, then moved into designing graphics, dabbling in web design, and eventually creating short stories in video form on Instagram and Facebook. Each new medium was another way to express what words alone could not capture. Each creation was a small act of joy, a reminder that I could make something beautiful out of my thoughts and feelings. With time and distance, something has shifted in me. I have come to realise that their reaction is their story, not mine. Their jealousy, their insecurity, their need to compare…these belong to them. My life, my journey, and my reasons for sharing belong to me. Now, after the passing of my dad, something inside me has been activated again. The need to write. The need to create. The need to share. Grief has a way of stripping away what is unnecessary and revealing what truly matters. And what matters to me is this: to honour my father’s memory, to keep his love alive in the words I write and the things I make, and to find my own sense of peace in the act of creating. None of us are dealt a “bad card” in life. What I have may not be what you have, and what you have may not be what I have. Each of us carries a unique set of gifts, challenges, and blessings. It is sad when people focus only on what they do not have, and allow envy to grow in that space. But there is another way. It is so much lighter, and so much more beautiful, to choose genuine happiness for others. Not just the kind we show outwardly, or say in words, but the kind we truly feel in our hearts. When you are genuinely happy for someone else’s good fortune, you open your own heart to receive blessings too. They may not come in the same form, but they will come. I believe that God has blessed everyone, just in different ways. Some blessings are visible: health, wealth, family, success, stability. Others are quiet and unseen: resilience, kindness, a gentle spirit, the ability to love deeply after loss. What matters is not comparing our cards, but playing the hand we’ve been given with grace and gratitude. Happiness is a journey and a choice, not a destination. It is found in small moments: a walk in nature, a heartfelt conversation, a memory that makes us smile, a story shared with the hope of inspiring someone else. It is found when we release comparison, when we celebrate others without keeping score, and when we remember that our worth is not defined by what others say or think. As I return to this space, I do so with a lighter heart. I share not to impress, not to prove, not to build anything, but to connect and to heal. To say: You are not alone. Your journey matters. Your blessings matter. And to remind myself, and perhaps you too, that joy is always available, if we choose it. Always remember: happiness is a journey and a choice. Choose it today. And then choose it again tomorrow. Thank you, Dad, for the computer, for the belief, and for the gift of words, and for inspiring a lifetime of creating. This return is for you. ❤️❤️❤️ – Nur Diyanah Magness –

The post A Return to Sharing, Inspired by My Father.  appeared first on Sweet Sharings.

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I used to be very active on social media and on my blog, sharing stories, reflections, and moments from my life. Over the years, I stepped back. I needed rest. I needed space. And slowly, I became more guarded, sharing only on a “need to know” basis. There were many reasons for this pause. Tiredness. Demotivation. Hurtful comments that came from envy and resentment rather than kindness. You know, you can say negative things about someone behind their back, but sooner or later, those words find their way back to the person. 

Even with genuine friends encouraging me to return, I felt too weak at the time to face it all again. It especially stung when unkind words came from people I thought were close. I shared with the intention to inspire, never to make anyone feel “less than.” Yet that was how some chose to receive it. For me, writing and creating digital content were a form of therapy. They were a way to process my thoughts, to make sense of my experiences, and to nurture my own mental happiness. When I wrote, I felt lighter. When I shared, I felt connected. That was my reward.

Dad inspired me

This journey actually began in 1998, when my father gave me my very first computer. I started an old blog that year, a simple space to write and reflect during a difficult time in my life. Later, I deleted that original blog and started a new one in 2000, which grew over the years before being neglected for a long time. Through it all, one thing remained constant: my dad’s belief that I needed an outlet. He saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself at the time. He believed that writing could be a safe space for me, a place to pour out my heart and find clarity. He was right. That simple act of giving me a computer opened a door that has stayed with me ever since. Thank you, Dad. ❤

It was not just blogging. It was creating. I started with my poems, then moved into designing graphics, dabbling in web design, and eventually creating short stories in video form on Instagram and Facebook. Each new medium was another way to express what words alone could not capture. Each creation was a small act of joy, a reminder that I could make something beautiful out of my thoughts and feelings. With time and distance, something has shifted in me. I have come to realise that their reaction is their story, not mine. Their jealousy, their insecurity, their need to compare…these belong to them. My life, my journey, and my reasons for sharing belong to me.

Now, after the passing of my dad, something inside me has been activated again. The need to write. The need to create. The need to share. Grief has a way of stripping away what is unnecessary and revealing what truly matters. And what matters to me is this: to honour my father’s memory, to keep his love alive in the words I write and the things I make, and to find my own sense of peace in the act of creating.

None of us are dealt a “bad card” in life. What I have may not be what you have, and what you have may not be what I have. Each of us carries a unique set of gifts, challenges, and blessings. It is sad when people focus only on what they do not have, and allow envy to grow in that space. But there is another way. It is so much lighter, and so much more beautiful, to choose genuine happiness for others. Not just the kind we show outwardly, or say in words, but the kind we truly feel in our hearts. When you are genuinely happy for someone else’s good fortune, you open your own heart to receive blessings too. They may not come in the same form, but they will come.

I believe that God has blessed everyone, just in different ways. Some blessings are visible: health, wealth, family, success, stability. Others are quiet and unseen: resilience, kindness, a gentle spirit, the ability to love deeply after loss. What matters is not comparing our cards, but playing the hand we’ve been given with grace and gratitude.

Happiness is a Journy

Happiness is a journey and a choice, not a destination. It is found in small moments: a walk in nature, a heartfelt conversation, a memory that makes us smile, a story shared with the hope of inspiring someone else. It is found when we release comparison, when we celebrate others without keeping score, and when we remember that our worth is not defined by what others say or think.

As I return to this space, I do so with a lighter heart. I share not to impress, not to prove, not to build anything, but to connect and to heal. To say: You are not alone. Your journey matters. Your blessings matter. And to remind myself, and perhaps you too, that joy is always available, if we choose it.

Always remember: happiness is a journey and a choice. Choose it today. And then choose it again tomorrow. Thank you, Dad, for the computer, for the belief, and for the gift of words, and for inspiring a lifetime of creating. This return is for you. ❤❤❤

– Nur Diyanah Magness –

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The Grief That Waited https://sweetsharings.com/the-grief-that-waited/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-grief-that-waited https://sweetsharings.com/the-grief-that-waited/#respond Fri, 14 Aug 2026 19:53:35 +0000 https://sweetsharings.com/?p=8139 https://sweetsharings.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Cry1.jpeg I found it hard to cry when Dad left us a month ago, 11 July 2026. All I felt was anger, though I kept it carefully contained. Angry because I did not get to see him one last time, to say a final goodbye. It was so sudden, so final, that it left no space for preparation….only a quiet, unresolved ache. At first, there was a strange calm, as if I had been placed in the eye of something I could not yet feel. There were practical matters to attend to, people to speak with, and a sense that I had to remain steady for everyone else. The anger sat just beneath the surface, sharp, but controlled, while everything else stayed distant, almost unreal. But grief does not disappear. It waits. I did not cry then. But now I understand that grief takes its own time. Only now, after returning to my home in the UK, the grief has begun. Grief waited for the long journey back, for the unpacking of suitcases, for the return to familiar routines. It waited until I was alone. Quietly, it found its way in, slowly and then all at once, catching up with me in ways I hadn’t expected. Now it arrives in unexpected moments. In the stillness of the morning, late at nights, in quiet moments, when everything else falls away. I find myself thinking of him in the ordinary parts of life, the things I would have shared, the conversations we will never have again. My father was a man of few words. He did not often speak of love, nor did he need to. His love was constant and unspoken. It was there in the small things. He showed it not through what he said, but through what he did….his presence, his patience, his steadiness and reliability, the quiet way that he was always there. As a child, I did not always notice it. As an adult, I understood it more. And now, in his absence, I feel it most of all. I think of the times he listened more than he spoke, offering just enough to guide without ever imposing. I think of the steadiness he brought into our lives, a quiet strength that asked for nothing in return. He was not a man who needed to be seen to be known …..he simply was, and that was enough. Now I find myself thinking about Mum constantly. Losing a partner after 67 years together is an unimaginable loss. Dad was not only her husband, but also her companion, her routine, and such a central part of her everyday life. No words can truly express how difficult this must be for her. I notice the quiet ways in which Mum is trying to remain close to him. She sleeps on Dad’s side of the bed and wears his shirts every day. These may seem like small things, but they show how much she misses him and how deeply their life together is woven into her heart. Mum continues to show remarkable strength and composure, often giving the impression that she is managing well. But beneath that calm exterior, I know there must be an enormous sense of emptiness. She is missing the conversations, companionship, habits, and shared moments that filled their lives for so many years. I can only imagine how painful this period must be for her. I hope she knows that she does not have to appear strong all the time, and that she is surrounded by people who love her, understand her, and will continue to support her as she learns to live with this loss. Dad will always be part of our family and our memories. Although we were not able to say everything we wanted to say at the end, our love for him remains, and so does the life and love he shared with Mum and with all of us. Grief has begun to teach me what I could not fully see before that love does not always announce itself. Sometimes it is silent, enduring, and woven so deeply into the fabric of your life that you only recognise its shape when it is gone. I am no longer angry in the same way. The sharpness has softened into something heavier, something more difficult to carry. It is the weight of missing him, not just in the big moments, but in all the small, ordinary ones that now feel incomplete. I did not get to say goodbye. But perhaps, in all the years we shared, in all the quiet ways he showed his love, he had already said everything that mattered. And in this silence, I feel most deeply what I have lost, not just my father, but the quiet, enduring love he carried so effortlessly. I love and miss you so much, Daddy. 

The post The Grief That Waited appeared first on Sweet Sharings.

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I found it hard to cry when Dad left us a month ago, 11 July 2026. All I felt was anger, though I kept it carefully contained. Angry because I did not get to see him one last time, to say a final goodbye. It was so sudden, so final, that it left no space for preparation….only a quiet, unresolved ache. At first, there was a strange calm, as if I had been placed in the eye of something I could not yet feel. There were practical matters to attend to, people to speak with, and a sense that I had to remain steady for everyone else. The anger sat just beneath the surface, sharp, but controlled, while everything else stayed distant, almost unreal. But grief does not disappear. It waits.

I did not cry then. But now I understand that grief takes its own time. Only now, after returning to my home in the UK, the grief has begun. Grief waited for the long journey back, for the unpacking of suitcases, for the return to familiar routines. It waited until I was alone. Quietly, it found its way in, slowly and then all at once, catching up with me in ways I hadn’t expected.

Now it arrives in unexpected moments. In the stillness of the morning, late at nights, in quiet moments, when everything else falls away. I find myself thinking of him in the ordinary parts of life, the things I would have shared, the conversations we will never have again.

My father was a man of few words. He did not often speak of love, nor did he need to. His love was constant and unspoken. It was there in the small things. He showed it not through what he said, but through what he did….his presence, his patience, his steadiness and reliability, the quiet way that he was always there.

As a child, I did not always notice it. As an adult, I understood it more. And now, in his absence, I feel it most of all.

I think of the times he listened more than he spoke, offering just enough to guide without ever imposing. I think of the steadiness he brought into our lives, a quiet strength that asked for nothing in return. He was not a man who needed to be seen to be known …..he simply was, and that was enough.

Now I find myself thinking about Mum constantly. Losing a partner after 67 years together is an unimaginable loss. Dad was not only her husband, but also her companion, her routine, and such a central part of her everyday life. No words can truly express how difficult this must be for her.

I notice the quiet ways in which Mum is trying to remain close to him. She sleeps on Dad’s side of the bed and wears his shirts every day. These may seem like small things, but they show how much she misses him and how deeply their life together is woven into her heart.

Mum continues to show remarkable strength and composure, often giving the impression that she is managing well. But beneath that calm exterior, I know there must be an enormous sense of emptiness. She is missing the conversations, companionship, habits, and shared moments that filled their lives for so many years.

I can only imagine how painful this period must be for her. I hope she knows that she does not have to appear strong all the time, and that she is surrounded by people who love her, understand her, and will continue to support her as she learns to live with this loss.

Dad will always be part of our family and our memories. Although we were not able to say everything we wanted to say at the end, our love for him remains, and so does the life and love he shared with Mum and with all of us.

Grief has begun to teach me what I could not fully see before that love does not always announce itself. Sometimes it is silent, enduring, and woven so deeply into the fabric of your life that you only recognise its shape when it is gone. I am no longer angry in the same way. The sharpness has softened into something heavier, something more difficult to carry. It is the weight of missing him, not just in the big moments, but in all the small, ordinary ones that now feel incomplete. I did not get to say goodbye. But perhaps, in all the years we shared, in all the quiet ways he showed his love, he had already said everything that mattered. And in this silence, I feel most deeply what I have lost, not just my father, but the quiet, enduring love he carried so effortlessly.

I love and miss you so much, Daddy. 

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Heartfelt Gratitude – Thank You! https://sweetsharings.com/thank-you/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=thank-you https://sweetsharings.com/thank-you/#respond Tue, 11 Aug 2026 06:48:45 +0000 https://sweetsharings.com/?p=8130 https://sweetsharings.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMG_0245.jpg To our dear family and friends, It’s been a month now since dad’s passing. Born 11 February 1937 and left us on 11 July 2026. On behalf of our entire family, I want to express our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to each of you who stood with us during this incredibly difficult time. Thank you to those who attended my dad’s wake and funeral service. Your presence brought us comfort, honored his memory, and reminded us that he was deeply loved by so many. Seeing familiar faces, hearing your stories about him, and sharing in those final moments of tribute meant more to us than words can fully express. I met relatives and friends of family that I never met before at dad’s funeral and met those that I had not seen in decades. I wish I had seen them during happier times, but I will remember this as dad bringing us all together.  To those who offered prayers, whether in person, over the phone, or through messages, please know that your spiritual support has been a source of strength and peace for our family. Your kindness has helped carry us through these dark days. To everyone who reached out with calls, texts, cards, flowers, food, or simply by being there to listen and hold our hands—thank you. Your love and compassion have surrounded us like a warm embrace when we needed it most. We are especially grateful to those who helped with arrangements, coordinated the service, prepared meals, or offered any practical or monetary support. Your generosity allowed us to focus on honoring Dad and being together as a family. Though we are heartbroken, we are also deeply blessed to have such caring people in our lives. My father was a man who valued family, friendship, and kindness….and through your actions, you have shown us that his spirit lives on in all of you. Please accept our sincere thanks from the bottom of our hearts. We will always remember your love and support during this time of sorrow. With love and gratitude,  ❤️🙏

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To our dear family and friends,

It’s been a month now since dad’s passing. Born 11 February 1937 and left us on 11 July 2026.

On behalf of our entire family, I want to express our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to each of you who stood with us during this incredibly difficult time.

Thank you to those who attended my dad’s wake and funeral service. Your presence brought us comfort, honored his memory, and reminded us that he was deeply loved by so many. Seeing familiar faces, hearing your stories about him, and sharing in those final moments of tribute meant more to us than words can fully express. I met relatives and friends of family that I never met before at dad’s funeral and met those that I had not seen in decades. I wish I had seen them during happier times, but I will remember this as dad bringing us all together. 

To those who offered prayers, whether in person, over the phone, or through messages, please know that your spiritual support has been a source of strength and peace for our family. Your kindness has helped carry us through these dark days.

To everyone who reached out with calls, texts, cards, flowers, food, or simply by being there to listen and hold our hands—thank you. Your love and compassion have surrounded us like a warm embrace when we needed it most.

We are especially grateful to those who helped with arrangements, coordinated the service, prepared meals, or offered any practical or monetary support. Your generosity allowed us to focus on honoring Dad and being together as a family. Though we are heartbroken, we are also deeply blessed to have such caring people in our lives. My father was a man who valued family, friendship, and kindness….and through your actions, you have shown us that his spirit lives on in all of you.

Please accept our sincere thanks from the bottom of our hearts. We will always remember your love and support during this time of sorrow.

With love and gratitude,  ❤🙏

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Coconut Water Jelly – Easy, Vegan and 5 Ingredients! https://sweetsharings.com/recipe/coconut-water-jelly/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=coconut-water-jelly https://sweetsharings.com/recipe/coconut-water-jelly/#comments Thu, 24 Mar 2022 11:04:05 +0000 https://sweetsharings.com/?post_type=cuisine-recipe&p=2236 https://sweetsharings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2933.jpg This Layered Coconut Water Jelly is a refreshing Malaysian vegan Dessert. Coconut Water Jelly is one of my favourite desserts. I make this 5 ingredient aromatic dessert because it’s so refreshing and has many health benefits. A Vegan Jelly made with vegan gelatine (agar-agar). My go to refreshing delight which cools me down during hot Summer days. In fact, I enjoy it even during Winter! Coconut Water Jelly Ingredients Coconut Water, Coconut Cream or Rich Coconut Milk, agar-agar powder, sugar and the Pandan Leaves (aromatic screw pine leaves). You can get these from your supermarket and If any are unavailable, you can get them from Asian Supermarkets or Thai/Malaysian online stores. Coconut Cream/Coconut Milk The best coconut cream is from Malaysia and Thailand. I use a brand sold here in the UK which is just as good, ‘Kingfisher rich and creamy coconut milk’. It’s probably from one of these Asian countries and packed in the UK. (can shows as ‘packed’ in the UK). Coconut Water If you’re using coconut water straight from the whole coconut and the coconut meat is soft and tender, you can chop up some the meat and add it to this layer for some extra texture. You can get Fresh Coconuts from an Asian Supermarket or opt for the ready ones in cartons. I usually use the ready ones and my go to brand here in the UK is Vita Coco as it is low in calories yet has a lovely natural sweetness to it. Pandan If you are unable to find Pandan leaves, you can substitute with a pandan extract/essence/paste. Some extracts are clear and others have it’s green hue Available As: fresh, frozen, and dried leaves and paste, extract, and powder. Place of Origin: Southeast Asia Distinctive Flavour and Aroma: sweet and floral Also known as Fragrant Screwpine leaves or Vanilla Grass or Fragrant Plant. Nothing beats using the leaf itself though. Pandan leaves are known for their sweet aromatic fragrance. The fragrance of the Pandan Leaf reminds me of home (Malaysia) every time. It envelopes the whole house to the point that it lures my husband into the kitchen from his home office in hopes that whatever I was preparing, was ready for his tummy lol. Pandan is a herbaceous tropical plant that grows abundantly in Southeast Asia. I use it to lend a unique taste and aroma to flavour desserts, drinks and savoury dishes. You can get Pandan leaves fresh, frozen, as well as dried. Pandan Leaves can also be used to wrap food such as chicken or sticky rice. The leaves impart these foods with an aromatic note and make the food look appealing. The paste, extract, and powder, tint the ingredients with a green hue while contributing a lovely flavour. Agar Agar If using agar agar flakes, use the conversion ratio of 1 tsp powder to 1 Tbsp flakes. This ingredient is also known simply as agar, is a gel-like substance derived from red algae. It’s found in powder, flake and strips form and can be mixed with liquid and simmered to act as a thickening agent for desserts, soups and sauces alike. Agar is a popular alternative to gelatin because it’s plant-based, flavourless and suitable for most diets. It also has a higher melting point than gelatin, making it ideal for use as a solid medium in the laboratory. Benefits of Agar Agar Agar is an effective Vegan Gelatin Substitute. It supports satiety, strengthens bones and helps prevent Anemia. Agar is low in calories yet high in fiber. Contains manganese, magnesium, folate and iron. It may also help improve digestive health, aid in weight loss and keep your blood sugar stable. Equipment You just need 2 small heavy bottom pots, ladels, and your mould. I use a clear rectangular pyrex dish with measurements 9″ x 6″. You can use any type of mould. Cocktail glasses are great too for making individual servings. They make the perfect party item. How do you make the Layered Coconut Water Jelly? The process is actually very simple. First, you boil the creamy coconut jelly in one pot and then the clear coconut water jelly in the second pot. It’s then a matter of working fast to assemble the 2 into layers and setting them in the fridge. Easy Peasy! If you like coconut, then why not try these other vegan coconut desserts Creamy Blueberry Coconut Popsicles. Dairy free chocolate coconut popsicles. Sugar-Free Mango Coconut popsicles. Zesty Orange Coconut popsicles Vegan Coconut Rice Porridge

The post Coconut Water Jelly – Easy, Vegan and 5 Ingredients! appeared first on Sweet Sharings.

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Coconut Water Jelly

This Layered Coconut Water Jelly is a refreshing Malaysian vegan Dessert.

Coconut Water Jelly is one of my favourite desserts. I make this 5 ingredient aromatic dessert because it’s so refreshing and has many health benefits. A Vegan Jelly made with vegan gelatine (agar-agar). My go to refreshing delight which cools me down during hot Summer days. In fact, I enjoy it even during Winter!

Coconut Water Jelly

Coconut Water Jelly Ingredients

Coconut Water, Coconut Cream or Rich Coconut Milk, agar-agar powder, sugar and the Pandan Leaves (aromatic screw pine leaves).

You can get these from your supermarket and If any are unavailable, you can get them from Asian Supermarkets or Thai/Malaysian online stores.

Coconut Cream/Coconut Milk

The best coconut cream is from Malaysia and Thailand.

I use a brand sold here in the UK which is just as good, ‘Kingfisher rich and creamy coconut milk’. It’s probably from one of these Asian countries and packed in the UK. (can shows as ‘packed’ in the UK).

Coconut Water

If you’re using coconut water straight from the whole coconut and the coconut meat is soft and tender, you can chop up some the meat and add it to this layer for some extra texture.

You can get Fresh Coconuts from an Asian Supermarket or opt for the ready ones in cartons. I usually use the ready ones and my go to brand here in the UK is Vita Coco as it is low in calories yet has a lovely natural sweetness to it.

Pandan

If you are unable to find Pandan leaves, you can substitute with a pandan extract/essence/paste. Some extracts are clear and others have it’s green hue

Available As: fresh, frozen, and dried leaves and paste, extract, and powder.

Place of Origin: Southeast Asia

Distinctive Flavour and Aroma: sweet and floral

Also known as Fragrant Screwpine leaves or Vanilla Grass or Fragrant Plant.

Clear Pandan Extract

Nothing beats using the leaf itself though. Pandan leaves are known for their sweet aromatic fragrance. The fragrance of the Pandan Leaf reminds me of home (Malaysia) every time. It envelopes the whole house to the point that it lures my husband into the kitchen from his home office in hopes that whatever I was preparing, was ready for his tummy lol.

Pandan is a herbaceous tropical plant that grows abundantly in Southeast Asia. I use it to lend a unique taste and aroma to flavour desserts, drinks and savoury dishes. You can get Pandan leaves fresh, frozen, as well as dried.

Pandan Leaves can also be used to wrap food such as chicken or sticky rice. The leaves impart these foods with an aromatic note and make the food look appealing. The paste, extract, and powder, tint the ingredients with a green hue while contributing a lovely flavour.

Agar Agar

If using agar agar flakes, use the conversion ratio of 1 tsp powder to 1 Tbsp flakes.

This ingredient is also known simply as agar, is a gel-like substance derived from red algae. It’s found in powder, flake and strips form and can be mixed with liquid and simmered to act as a thickening agent for desserts, soups and sauces alike.

Agar is a popular alternative to gelatin because it’s plant-based, flavourless and suitable for most diets. It also has a higher melting point than gelatin, making it ideal for use as a solid medium in the laboratory.

Benefits of Agar Agar

agar-agar powder

Agar is an effective Vegan Gelatin Substitute. It supports satiety, strengthens bones and helps prevent Anemia. Agar is low in calories yet high in fiber. Contains manganese, magnesium, folate and iron. It may also help improve digestive health, aid in weight loss and keep your blood sugar stable.

Equipment

You just need 2 small heavy bottom pots, ladels, and your mould. I use a clear rectangular pyrex dish with measurements 9″ x 6″. You can use any type of mould. Cocktail glasses are great too for making individual servings. They make the perfect party item.

How do you make the Layered Coconut Water Jelly?

The process is actually very simple. First, you boil the creamy coconut jelly in one pot and then the clear coconut water jelly in the second pot. It’s then a matter of working fast to assemble the 2 into layers and setting them in the fridge. Easy Peasy!

Assembled Jelly Layers to be refrigerated
Cold and set Jelly cut into desired sizes and shapes.

If you like coconut, then why not try these other vegan coconut desserts

Creamy Blueberry Coconut Popsicles.

Dairy free chocolate coconut popsicles.

Sugar-Free Mango Coconut popsicles.

Zesty Orange Coconut popsicles

Vegan Coconut Rice Porridge

Coconut Water Jelly
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Layered Coconut Water Jelly – Vegan and only 5 Ingredients

A Malaysian traditional yet simple 5 ingredient aromatic dessert. It’s actually Coconut Jelly made with a vegan gelatine (agar-agar). A refreshing delight with a wonderful fragrance of the Pandan Leaf (Screwpine Leaf).
Course Dessert, Party Food, Snack
Cuisine Malaysia, South East Asia, Thailand
Diet Diabetic, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword Coconut, Coconut Cream, Coconut Water, dessert, diabetic friendly, Jelly, Pandan Leaf, Refreshing, vegan, vegetarian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Setting Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8
Calories

Ingredients

Coconut Milk Layer

  • 1 cup coconut water
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 5 Tbsp sugar. (I used Erythritol) Adjust to your taste
  • 1 ½ tsp agar agar powder
  • 1 pandan leaf Aprox 6 inches
  • A pinch salt

Coconut Water Layer

  • 2 cups coconut Water
  • 3 Tbsp Sugar. (I used Erythritol) Adjust to your taste. If the coconut water is naturally sweet then you do not need much sugar/sweetener.
  • 1 ½ tsp agar agar powder
  • 1 pandan leaf Aprox 6 inches of

Instructions

Coconut Milk Layer

  • Add coconut water to a small pot, then sprinkle on agar agar powder and stir to mix.
  • Add coconut milk, sugar, salt, and pandan leaf. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Once it comes to a full boil, the agar powder should be completely dissolved.
  • If you want to add coconut meat to this layer, you can add it at this point and bring the mixture to a boil one more time.
  • Lower the heat to the lowest setting to keep it warm and not set. Keep the pot covered while you make the other layer. Make sure it’s just barely simmering and not boiling away.

Coconut Water Layer

  • In another small pot, add coconut water and agar agar powder and stir to break up the powder. Add sugar and pandan leaf, then bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
  • Once it boils, check to see that there aren’t any tiny little grains of agar powder still floating around. Keep the mixture hot and covered just like the coconut milk layer.

Assembly

  • I made 5 layers for this recipe but You can just make a simple 2 layer Jelly or however many layers you wish. I made 3 layers of white (⅔ cup each) and 2 layers of clear (1 cup each).

If you are using same number of layers and measurements as me, then :

  • First layer : pour a white layer into the dish and spoon off any bubbles, then refrigerate just until the top has set about 5 minutes.
  • You can test this by gently tapping the layer with your finger, and if it’s no longer liquid and doesn’t stick to your finger, it’s ready for the next layer.
  • 2nd Layer : Make sure the clear layer is steaming hot, pour it over the back of a spoon carefully, letting it drip gently onto the edges of the first layer. If you pour too quickly, it’ll break or ‘dent’ the first layer. Refrigerate again just until the top is set about 7 minutes.
  • Repeat with the remaining agar mixture, making sure that you keep both mixtures hot and covered while you wait for it to set. If for whatever reason it has gone cold, you can simply reheat it when you are ready to pour.
  • Once you’re finished, let the jelly refrigerate for at least 2 hours so it is nice and cold when you serve it. Enjoy!

Notes

If you have a strong gas stove you might have a hard time getting the heat to stay very low, in that case you can keep it off heat and covered, and reheat it to boiling right before you use it.
If using agar agar flakes, use the conversion ratio of 1 tsp powder to 1 Tbsp flakes.
I use a clear rectangular pyrex dish 22cm by 16cm but you can use any kind of mould. You can even make individual ones in cocktail glasses.
Optional: If you’re using coconut water straight from the whole coconut and the coconut meat is soft and tender, you can chop up some the meat and add it to this layer for some extra texture.

The post Coconut Water Jelly – Easy, Vegan and 5 Ingredients! appeared first on Sweet Sharings.

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Vegan Coconut Rice Pudding https://sweetsharings.com/recipe/vegan-coconut-rice-pudding/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vegan-coconut-rice-pudding https://sweetsharings.com/recipe/vegan-coconut-rice-pudding/#respond Mon, 28 Feb 2022 15:25:12 +0000 https://sweetsharings.com/?post_type=cuisine-recipe&p=2116 https://sweetsharings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/vegan_coconut_rice_pudding.jpg A Rice pudding with flavours so exciting compared to traditional rice pudding. This Vegan Coconut Rice Pudding is naturally dairy-free and so versatile with many variations of toppings to suit all tastes. All my sweet recipes are healthy and sugar-free, using a natural plant based sugar alternative. You may opt for sugar, honey, maple syrup or any other sweetener of your desire though. I love the Asian version, Kheer, similar to the Turkish rice pudding but these call for whole milk and granulated sugar which spike my blood glucose levels sky high. So I tried this alternative vegan version with plant based milks and Natural Sweetener instead and loved it. A healthy guilt-free sweet dessert! Vegan Coconut Rice Pudding goes well with : Any chopped fresh or dried fruit of your liking. Blueberry or other berry puree/jam/compote Toasted nuts : Almond Flakes, Pistachios, walnuts etc. Cinnamon Many are now health conscious and opt for honey or agave as an alternative too. If you prefer your pudding really creamy then I suggest going for full-fat Coconut milk instead of Light. The added cashew or almond milk usually adds to the creaminess though. Other Vegan Coconut Recipes You may like these vegan, sugar-free and dairy-free desserts too! Turkish Pumpkin Candy Dessert Quick no bake Yogurt cheesecake in a glass Summer Fruit Cobbler Layered Coconut Water Jelly Creamy Blueberry Coconut Popsicles. Dairy free chocolate coconut popsicles. Sugar-Free Mango Coconut popsicles Zesty Orange Coconut popsicles If you make this recipe, post a pic on Instagram too and tag @sweetsharings with hashtag #sweetsharings for a shout out.

The post Vegan Coconut Rice Pudding appeared first on Sweet Sharings.

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A Rice pudding with flavours so exciting compared to traditional rice pudding. This Vegan Coconut Rice Pudding is naturally dairy-free and so versatile with many variations of toppings to suit all tastes. All my sweet recipes are healthy and sugar-free, using a natural plant based sugar alternative. You may opt for sugar, honey, maple syrup or any other sweetener of your desire though.

Vegan Coconut Rice Pudding

I love the Asian version, Kheer, similar to the Turkish rice pudding but these call for whole milk and granulated sugar which spike my blood glucose levels sky high. So I tried this alternative vegan version with plant based milks and Natural Sweetener instead and loved it. A healthy guilt-free sweet dessert!

Vegan Coconut Rice Pudding

Vegan Coconut Rice Pudding goes well with :

Any chopped fresh or dried fruit of your liking.

Blueberry or other berry puree/jam/compote

Toasted nuts : Almond Flakes, Pistachios, walnuts etc.

Cinnamon

vegan coconut rice pudding

Many are now health conscious and opt for honey or agave as an alternative too. If you prefer your pudding really creamy then I suggest going for full-fat Coconut milk instead of Light. The added cashew or almond milk usually adds to the creaminess though.

Vegan Coconut Rice Pudding

Other Vegan Coconut Recipes

You may like these vegan, sugar-free and dairy-free desserts too!

Turkish Pumpkin Candy Dessert

Quick no bake Yogurt cheesecake in a glass

Summer Fruit Cobbler

Layered Coconut Water Jelly

Creamy Blueberry Coconut Popsicles.

Dairy free chocolate coconut popsicles.

Sugar-Free Mango Coconut popsicles

Zesty Orange Coconut popsicles

Dairy-free Coconut Milk Pudding
vegan coconut rice pudding
Print

Vegan Coconut Rice Pudding

A less watery and more exciting in flavour than traditional rice pudding. This Vegan Coconut Rice Pudding is sugar-free, dairy-free and so versatile with many variations of toppings to suit all tastes.
Course Dessert, Snack
Diet Diabetic, Halal, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword coconut milk, comfort, dairy-free, dessert, diabetic friendly, gluten-free, rice, sugar-free, sweet, vegan, vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 171kcal

Ingredients

  • 150 g Pudding rice or short grain or brown rice. – I usually use brown rice (lower calorie), with extra liquid added to get it nice and soft.
  • 400 ml Can full-fat coconut milk. – I use Light coconut Milk (lower calorie) but much tastier with full-fat.
  • 250 ml Any plant based milk of your choice. (Almond/Cashew/Oat). – I used cashew milk as it tastes closest to dairy milk.
  • 3 tbsp Natural sweetener of your choice. You can use Coconut sugar/light brown sugar/maple syrup or even honey. – Less or more according to personal taste. I used Sukin Gold Erythritol brown sugar and Skinny Maple Syrup, both 0 calorie.
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract – optional
  • 1 pinch salt – optional
  • ¼ cup chopped raisins – optional

TOPPING VARIATIONS:

  • any chopped fresh or dried fruit of your liking
  • Any Fruit or Berry Puree/sauce/compote/jam
  • Toasted Almond Flakes, Walnuts, Pistachios
  • Cinnamon

Instructions

  • Rinse and drain the rice well.
  • Place rice and coconut milk in a heavy-based saucepan and bring to the boil for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
  • Add in vanilla extract, cinnamon, milk of choice, and mix well (You can add in the raisins and salt here as well if using). Continue to cook for another 10 minutes or until rice has absorbed most of the milk. If milk dries up before rice is cooked through, you can add a little extra milk or some water.
  • If you'd like it a little more creamier add another 1/2 cup of milk/coconut milk. Add sugar or sweetener and stir until dissolved. Stir frequently at this point to avoid sticking.
  • Remove from heat and let cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.
  • Serve hot or cold in bowls topped with the topping of your choice.
  • As a cold dessert, let the pudding cool down well before storing in fridge. Keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days in air tight containers. If desired, You can reheat this pudding again before serving.

Notes

TIPS
You can also cook the rice pudding in a casserole, in an oven preheated to 180°C, fan 160°C, gas 4. Stir the ingredients together well, cover and cook for 55 minutes, stirring halfway. Remove the lid for a further 20 minutes to create a crisp, golden topping. Check during the last few minutes as each oven is different.
I chop raisins so the flavour of raisins are released into the pudding to improve taste.
For added creaminess, just add a little bit of milk over the top or a dollop of whipped coconut cream.
As a cold dessert, let the pudding cool down well before storing in fridge. Keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days in air tight containers. If desired, You can reheat this pudding again before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 250g | Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 23.3g | Protein: 3.4g | Fat: 7.7g | Saturated Fat: 4.9g | Sodium: 0.08mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 0.6g

If you make this recipe, post a pic on Instagram too and tag @sweetsharings with hashtag #sweetsharings for a shout out.

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Creamy Blueberry Coconut Popsicles https://sweetsharings.com/recipe/creamy-blueberry-coconut-popsicles/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=creamy-blueberry-coconut-popsicles https://sweetsharings.com/recipe/creamy-blueberry-coconut-popsicles/#respond Mon, 28 Feb 2022 12:25:28 +0000 https://sweetsharings.com/?post_type=cuisine-recipe&p=2108 https://sweetsharings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/creamyblueberrypopsicle.jpg These treats are very versatile, sugar-free, dairy-free, and made with only 3 ingredients! Creamy Blueberry Coconut Popsicles make a cool treat for any time of day or as grab-and-go breakfast for summer. 3 simple ingredients, coconut milk, fresh blueberries and natural Sweetener. Though you can use sugar, honey or agave, I always opt for sugar-free with skinny maple syrup and erythritol due to my Diabetes. Whichever sweetener you choose, just be sure to taste as you go along to suit you own taste and liking.  NOTES and TIPS on Creamy Blueberry Coconut Popsicles : You can just blend the blueberry puree with the sweetened coconut milk and place in moulds so it has an even colour. Freeze 4-6 hours.  If you want a layered look, layer the popsicles as follows: add 2 tablespoons puréed fruit, then set in a freezer for about 20 minutes. Once the first layer has semi-frozen, remove from the freezer, then add 2 tablespoon coconut milk mix, set in the freezer for about 20 minutes, and repeat the process.  Remove the popsicles from their moulds. For an easy release, place the popsicle moulds into a pot or bowl of warm water for about 20 seconds.  Don’t store the frozen popsicles in the moulds. They will be very difficult to remove. It’s best to remove once they are set, then store in airtight containers in the freezer with parchment paper between each popsicle! OTHER VARIATIONS : Dairy-Free Chocolate Coconut Popsicles Zesty Orange Coconut Popsicles Sugar-free Mango Coconut popsicle Dairy-Free Chocolate Coconut Popsicles Serves : 6 1 can coconut milk (400g) 1 tablespoon natural unsweetened cocoa powder 3 tablespoons sweetener. Add more to suit your personal taste. (you can use sugar, honey or maple syrup too) Blend all ingredients and fill moulds. Freeze for 4 hours till set. Remove from moulds and serve immediately or store in air tight containers in freezer with parchment paper between each popsicle. Zesty Orange Coconut Popsicles Serves 6 1 can coconut milk 1 ¼ cups freshly squeezed orange juice (295 mL) 2 tablespoons sweetener. Add more to suit your taste. (you can use sugar, honey or maple syrup too) Blend all ingredients and fill moulds. Freeze for 4 hours till set. Remove from moulds and serve immediately or store in air tight containers in freezer with parchment paper between each popsicle. Sugar-free Mango Coconut popsicle Serves 6 1 can coconut milk full-fat 2 ripe mangoes or about 2 cups frozen mango sweetener to taste. (you can use sugar, honey or maple syrup too) Chop and add mango to blender. Add coconut milk to blender and blend well. Pour the mango blend into popsicle moulds.Freeze for about 2- 4 hours. When ready to serve, put each mould under running water for few seconds then wiggle the popsicle out. ENJOY!! If you like coconut, then why not try these other vegan coconut desserts : Vegan Coconut Rice Porridge Layered Coconut Water Jelly If you make this recipe, post a pic on Instagram too and tag @sweetsharings with hashtag #sweetsharings for a shout out.

The post Creamy Blueberry Coconut Popsicles appeared first on Sweet Sharings.

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These treats are very versatile, sugar-free, dairy-free, and made with only 3 ingredients! Creamy Blueberry Coconut Popsicles make a cool treat for any time of day or as grab-and-go breakfast for summer.

3 simple ingredients, coconut milk, fresh blueberries and natural Sweetener. Though you can use sugar, honey or agave, I always opt for sugar-free with skinny maple syrup and erythritol due to my Diabetes. Whichever sweetener you choose, just be sure to taste as you go along to suit you own taste and liking. 

NOTES and TIPS on Creamy Blueberry Coconut Popsicles :

You can just blend the blueberry puree with the sweetened coconut milk and place in moulds so it has an even colour. Freeze 4-6 hours. 

If you want a layered look, layer the popsicles as follows: add 2 tablespoons puréed fruit, then set in a freezer for about 20 minutes. Once the first layer has semi-frozen, remove from the freezer, then add 2 tablespoon coconut milk mix, set in the freezer for about 20 minutes, and repeat the process. 

Remove the popsicles from their moulds. For an easy release, place the popsicle moulds into a pot or bowl of warm water for about 20 seconds. 

Don’t store the frozen popsicles in the moulds. They will be very difficult to remove. It’s best to remove once they are set, then store in airtight containers in the freezer with parchment paper between each popsicle!

OTHER VARIATIONS :

Dairy-Free Chocolate Coconut Popsicles

Zesty Orange Coconut Popsicles

Sugar-free Mango Coconut popsicle

Dairy-Free Chocolate Coconut Popsicles

Serves : 6

1 can coconut milk (400g)

1 tablespoon natural unsweetened cocoa powder

3 tablespoons sweetener. Add more to suit your personal taste. (you can use sugar, honey or maple syrup too)

Blend all ingredients and fill moulds. Freeze for 4 hours till set. Remove from moulds and serve immediately or store in air tight containers in freezer with parchment paper between each popsicle.

Zesty Orange Coconut Popsicles

Serves 6

1 can coconut milk

1 ¼ cups freshly squeezed orange juice (295 mL)

2 tablespoons sweetener. Add more to suit your taste. (you can use sugar, honey or maple syrup too)

Blend all ingredients and fill moulds. Freeze for 4 hours till set. Remove from moulds and serve immediately or store in air tight containers in freezer with parchment paper between each popsicle.

Sugar-free Mango Coconut popsicle

Serves 6

1 can coconut milk full-fat

2 ripe mangoes or about 2 cups frozen mango

sweetener to taste. (you can use sugar, honey or maple syrup too)

Chop and add mango to blender. Add coconut milk to blender and blend well. Pour the mango blend into popsicle moulds.
Freeze for about 2- 4 hours. When ready to serve, put each mould under running water for few seconds then wiggle the popsicle out.

ENJOY!!

If you like coconut, then why not try these other vegan coconut desserts :

Vegan Coconut Rice Porridge

Layered Coconut Water Jelly

Blueberry Coconut Popsicle
Print

Creamy Blueberry Coconut Popsicle

These treats are sugar-free, dairy-free, and made with only 3 ingredients! Easy grab-and-go breakfast for summer, or a cool treat for any time of day.
Course Dessert, Snack
Diet Diabetic, Halal, Low Calorie
Keyword blueberries, coconut milk, dairy-free, gluten-free, Ice Lollies, popsicles, sugar-free, Summer Treat, vegan, vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 98kcal

Ingredients

  • 600 ml

    full fat coconut milk


  • 3 tbsp Natural sweetener. You can also use honey/agave/maple syrup/sugar if you desire. I used Erythritol Natural Sweetener 0 GI, 0 calorie

BERRY PUREE OR SAUCE

  • 300 g fresh or frozen fruit I used fresh blueberries. You can use mixed berries too or any other fruit.
  • 3 tbsp Natural Sweetener. You can also use granulated sugar/maple syrup/honey/Agave I used Skinny maple syrup and Erythritol

Instructions

  • In a large bowl or measuring jug add coconut milk and choice of sweetener.  Stir vigorously until you have a smooth consistency. Taste and add more sweetener, if desired. Set aside. (now is the time to adjust to your desired sweetness level).
  • Make the berry sauce or puree by combining the berries with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sweetener in a small heavy bottom pot. Place over medium heat and cook until the berries start to break down. Stir and continue cooking until it reaches a jam-like consistency.
  • * You can use the back of a wooden spoon or a fruit masher to mash the berries. Once the jam-like consistency is reached, remove the blueberry sauce from the heat.
  • Place a tablespoon of the coconut mixture in each popsicle mold.  Add a tablespoon of blueberry sauce. Top with another tablespoon coconut milk. Continue alternating until the popsicle mould is nearly full. Alternatively, you can blend the puree together with coconut milk and pour into moulds.
  • Place the top on the mould and add the popsicle sticks.  Freeze 4-6 hours. Once the popsicles are set, place the mould on counter for few minutes to loosen popsicles for removal.
  • If you are using silicon moulds, remove immediately once set. Remove the popsicles and enjoy immediately, or place in the freezer in an air-tight container with parchment paper dividing each row of popsicles. Do not store in moulds as it will be very difficult to remove.

Notes

Note:
You can just blend the blueberry puree with the sweetened coconut milk and place in moulds so it has an even colour. Freeze 4-6 hours.
Remove the popsicles from their moulds. For an easy release, place the popsicle molds into a pot or bowl of warm water for about 20 seconds only. 
Don’t store the frozen popsicles in the moulds. They will be very difficult to remove. It’s best to remove once they are set, then store in airtight containers in the freezer with parchment paper between each popsicle!

Nutrition

Calories: 98kcal

If you make this recipe, post a pic on Instagram too and tag @sweetsharings with hashtag #sweetsharings for a shout out.

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Turkish Pumpkin Candy Dessert. Super Easy 3-Ingredient Kabak Tatlisi. https://sweetsharings.com/recipe/turkish-pumpkin-candy-dessert/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=turkish-pumpkin-candy-dessert https://sweetsharings.com/recipe/turkish-pumpkin-candy-dessert/#respond Wed, 12 Jan 2022 23:56:37 +0000 https://sweetsharings.com/?post_type=cuisine-recipe&p=2005 https://sweetsharings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/IMG_0065-e1642034599679.jpeg Turkish Pumpkin Candy Dessert from Ottoman times. I made this simple recipe with minimal effort yet maximum satisfaction. After trying so many sweet pumpkin desserts last Autumn, I concluded that only savoury pumpkin dishes were for me. Well, I changed my mind after trying this Turkish sweet. I tried my hand at it for the first time in Autumn (2021) and it was simply Love at first Taste!! A friend from my Alma Mater suggested I try making Kabak Tatlisi and ever since then, it has become our favourite Autumn Dessert. It’s still a favourite during Winter even! Diabetic Friendly, Vegan and Gluten-Free. Never had pumpkin as a dessert on its own? Forget about your classic pumpkin pie and make this super easy Turkish Sweet Delight. This Turkish Pumpkin Candy Dessert will be a hit with your family especially during the holidays. Being Vegan, gluten-free and so easy to make, my recipe is also Diabetic friendly with a couple of tweaks. Calorie Conscious? I substituted sugar with Erythritol and clotted cream with Creme Fraiche (need to watch my calories and sugar GI levels). It still turned out sooo good! Ever since this new discovery, we have had it every week. The bonus part of this dessert is that with reasonable portions, it did not disrupt my blood glucose levels. While being a super easy recipe with a basic of only 3 ingredients, you can enhance the flavour with the addition of ginger and a couple of other spices. It’s all a matter of personal taste and preference. You even have a choice of optional garnishing (tahini, clotted cream, creme fraiche) and coarsely chopped nuts as a final topping (walnuts and pistachios). How to prepare and clean a pumpkin. Mature pumpkins are best to use for kabak tatlısı. If the skin is tough, use a knife to peel the pumpkin. Vegetable peelers are better for younger, thinner-skinned pumpkins and squashes. Cut the pumpkin in half, and scrape out the seeds and pulp with a large metal spoon. Lay the pumpkin halves flat side down, and cut in half again, repeat until you have the required amount of segments. Save the seeds. Remove the seeds from the pulp, and rinse. Pat dry, place on a baking tray in a medium-hot oven, and bake for 10 minutes. I use toasted pumpkin seeds in oats, yogurts, salads and my favourite is garnish for Pumpkin Soup.  How to make Turkish Pumpkin Candy Dessert. There are 2 options to make this dessert, on stove top or in the Oven. Place pumpkin pieces in a large heavy bottom pot in one layer and sprinkle spices (optional) and sugar over. cover and set aside overnight for best results. Minimum 6 hours. Pumpkin juices will be released and dissolve the sugar. Method 1 : Boil pumpkin cubes in it’s juice till soft but not mushy. Cool and serve with choice of garnishings and toppings. Method 2 : Place pumpkin pieces in one layer on a baking tray and pour it’s juice over it. Bake for 30 mins. Cool and serve with choice of garnishings and toppings. How To Serve Turkish Pumpkin Candy Dessert. You can serve the candied pumpkin with the following options : A dollop of clotted cream or creme fraiche, A drizzle of tahini paste, Coarsely chopped Nuts OR go all out and have a bit of everything! My husband loves it with creme fraiche and pistachios and I enjoy it with tahini sauce and walnuts. Other Pumpkin Recipes Try another Turkish Dessert : Muhallebi (Mahalabia) Milk Pudding Prefer a Savoury Pumpkin Dish instead? Try Savoury Sweet Pumpkin Fry (Labu Masak Cili) As always: If you liked this recipe please give us a rating and/or let us know what you think by leaving a comment below. If you make this recipe, post a pic on Instagram too and tag @sweetsharings with hashtag #sweetsharings for a shout out.

The post Turkish Pumpkin Candy Dessert. Super Easy 3-Ingredient Kabak Tatlisi. appeared first on Sweet Sharings.

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Turkish pumpkin candy dessert

Turkish Pumpkin Candy Dessert from Ottoman times. I made this simple recipe with minimal effort yet maximum satisfaction. After trying so many sweet pumpkin desserts last Autumn, I concluded that only savoury pumpkin dishes were for me. Well, I changed my mind after trying this Turkish sweet. I tried my hand at it for the first time in Autumn (2021) and it was simply Love at first Taste!! A friend from my Alma Mater suggested I try making Kabak Tatlisi and ever since then, it has become our favourite Autumn Dessert. It’s still a favourite during Winter even!

Diabetic Friendly, Vegan and Gluten-Free.

Never had pumpkin as a dessert on its own? Forget about your classic pumpkin pie and make this super easy Turkish Sweet Delight. This Turkish Pumpkin Candy Dessert will be a hit with your family especially during the holidays. Being Vegan, gluten-free and so easy to make, my recipe is also Diabetic friendly with a couple of tweaks.

Calorie Conscious?

I substituted sugar with Erythritol and clotted cream with Creme Fraiche (need to watch my calories and sugar GI levels). It still turned out sooo good! Ever since this new discovery, we have had it every week. The bonus part of this dessert is that with reasonable portions, it did not disrupt my blood glucose levels.

While being a super easy recipe with a basic of only 3 ingredients, you can enhance the flavour with the addition of ginger and a couple of other spices. It’s all a matter of personal taste and preference. You even have a choice of optional garnishing (tahini, clotted cream, creme fraiche) and coarsely chopped nuts as a final topping (walnuts and pistachios).

How to prepare and clean a pumpkin.

Mature pumpkins are best to use for kabak tatlısı. If the skin is tough, use a knife to peel the pumpkin. Vegetable peelers are better for younger, thinner-skinned pumpkins and squashes. Cut the pumpkin in half, and scrape out the seeds and pulp with a large metal spoon.

Lay the pumpkin halves flat side down, and cut in half again, repeat until you have the required amount of segments.

Save the seeds. Remove the seeds from the pulp, and rinse. Pat dry, place on a baking tray in a medium-hot oven, and bake for 10 minutes. I use toasted pumpkin seeds in oats, yogurts, salads and my favourite is garnish for Pumpkin Soup. 

How to make Turkish Pumpkin Candy Dessert.

There are 2 options to make this dessert, on stove top or in the Oven.

Place pumpkin pieces in a large heavy bottom pot in one layer and sprinkle spices (optional) and sugar over. cover and set aside overnight for best results. Minimum 6 hours. Pumpkin juices will be released and dissolve the sugar.

Method 1 : Boil pumpkin cubes in it’s juice till soft but not mushy. Cool and serve with choice of garnishings and toppings.

Method 2 : Place pumpkin pieces in one layer on a baking tray and pour it’s juice over it. Bake for 30 mins. Cool and serve with choice of garnishings and toppings.

How To Serve Turkish Pumpkin Candy Dessert.

You can serve the candied pumpkin with the following options :

A dollop of clotted cream or creme fraiche, A drizzle of tahini paste, Coarsely chopped Nuts OR go all out and have a bit of everything! My husband loves it with creme fraiche and pistachios and I enjoy it with tahini sauce and walnuts.

Other Pumpkin Recipes

Try another Turkish Dessert : Muhallebi (Mahalabia) Milk Pudding

Prefer a Savoury Pumpkin Dish instead? Try Savoury Sweet Pumpkin Fry (Labu Masak Cili)

As always: If you liked this recipe please give us a rating and/or let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.

If you make this recipe, post a pic on Instagram too and tag @sweetsharings with hashtag #sweetsharings for a shout out.

Turkish pumpkin candy dessert
Print

Turkish Pumpkin Candy Dessert

Never had pumpkin as a dessert on its own? Forget about your classic pumpkin pie and make this Turkish Pumpkin Candy Dessert instead. It will be a hit with your family especially during the holiday season. Vegan, gluten-free and so easy to make! If you liked this recipe, please leave a ratng below.
Course Dessert
Cuisine Asian, Turkish
Diet Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword candy, dessert, diabetic friendly, gluten-free, make ahead, Pumpkin, super easy, sweet, turkish, vegan, vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
resting time 8 hours
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4
Calories

Equipment

  • 1 Large heavy bottom pot OR oven pan
  • 1 Large Sharp knife

Ingredients

  • 450 gm pumpkin – weight after cleaned
  • 1 cup sugar I used Erythritol (diabetic friendly)
  • 1-2 tablespoons tahini/clotted cream/creme fraiche
  • 1 thumb size ginger julienned and optional
  • 1 stick cinnamon small stick and optional
  • a few cardamom pods crushed and optional
  • Pistachios or walnuts for garnish crumbled and optional

Instructions

  • Peel, wash and cut the pumpkin. Remove seeds and clean the fibrous parts out. Cut the pumpkin into desired wedge/cube sizes or rectangular pieces of about 1×2 inches (3×5 cm)
  • Place the pumpkin pieces and spices in a large heavy bottom pot, preferably a Dutch oven. The pot must be large because the maximum number of pumpkin pieces must touch the bottom in a single layer.
  • Sprinkle sugar and choice of spices if any over the pumpkin pieces.
  • Cover with lid and set aside overnight or at least 6 hours. Best results always overnight and especially so if using erythritol instead of sugar.
  • The pumpkin pieces will release their juice during the sitting time, so there is no need to add extra water while boiling it. If the juices do not almost cover the pieces, then add just a little water. I have never had to add any water.

Method 1

  • Place the pot with pumpkin cubes on stove and bring it to a boil on medium high heat. Once it starts to boil, immediately lower heat to medium low and leave uncovered.
  • Simmer until soft but not mushy. Let it cool completely in the same pot.

Method 2

  • Preheat oven at 180C/375F. Place the pumpkin cubes/slices on a baking pan in one layer. Pour the juice over pumpkin slices. Bake for 20-30 minutes until tender. Let it cool completely.

After pumpkin pieces have been Cooked.

  • Once cooled, transfer to an airtight container or covered dish. Refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes to an hour. Can be served hot too but most commonly served as a cold dessert.
  • Serve with a drizzle of tahini sauce OR a dollop of clotted cream OR creme fraiche. It's a matter of personal taste and diet preference.
  • You can optionally garnish it with crumbled pistachio or walnuts.

Notes

This dessert is so versatile, you can serve it with a choice or all of the suggested garnishig and toppings. It’s just a matter of personal taste.
If you are diabetic or need to watch your calorie intake :
  1. substitute sugar with Erythritol or similar.
  2. substitute clotted cream with creme fraich
 

The post Turkish Pumpkin Candy Dessert. Super Easy 3-Ingredient Kabak Tatlisi. appeared first on Sweet Sharings.

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Savoury Sweet Pumpkin Fry (Labu Masak Cili) https://sweetsharings.com/recipe/savoury-sweet-pumpkin-fry/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=savoury-sweet-pumpkin-fry https://sweetsharings.com/recipe/savoury-sweet-pumpkin-fry/#comments Tue, 14 Dec 2021 14:57:20 +0000 https://sweetsharings.com/?post_type=cuisine-recipe&p=1870 https://sweetsharings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/savoury_pumpkin_fry2_sweetsharings.jpeg Savoury Sweet Pumpkin Fry is super easy to make. I find that this is best cooked with a sweet pumpkin species or butternut squash. It can be served with rice or roti, but goes superbly well with chapati! This recipe has dried prawns but is OPTIONAL if making vegetarian/vegan version. I have tried a number of pumpkin dishes this season, from sweet to savoury. It has come to my conclusion that apart from a spiced pumpkin soup or seasoned roasted pumpkin wedges for snacks, nothing beats good old simple savoury dishes. I find this super easy and fast Savoury Sweet Pumpkin Fry to be the best for me. All season I have made pumpkin cheesecakes, muffins and pies, even a pumpkin loaf. Seriously, I do not know what the hype is all about with the sweet dishes. Maybe I am getting too old or maybe I am just 100% Malaysian at heart with spicy tastebuds.  CRAVING Many years ago, one of my relatives served this simple savoury dish with chapati. The memory of it came to me last month and ever since then it became an obsession and craving. I just had to have it, so I asked Yazreena for her mum’s recipe. It is now my favourite pumpkin dish and it’s the simplest of them all. I really like ‘Labu masak cili’ (translated as ‘pumpkin cooked with chilli’). Making this dish is simple and fast. After having it for dinner and leftovers for breakfast, I still want more. I simply can’t get enough of it just yet! INGREDIENTS Sweet Pumpkin or Butternut Squash, Shallots, Garlic, Chillies and scallions for garnish. The recipe calls for a little ground dried prawns for flavour too. It’s a Malaysian thing and it does give an amazing flavour, though I know it is an acquired taste for many people. You may wish to omit the dried prawns, but I feel it then loses it’s authentic flavour. BIRD’S EYE CHILLIES VS REGULAR RED CHILLIES Although I prefer savoury dishes, I am unable to handle the cili padi part of it (birds eye chillies). The level of spicy is really a personal thing, so I just tweaked the chilli part in the recipe, to suit my taste. Instead of bird’s eye chillies, I added a little chilli powder, smoked paprika, and 2 deseeded red chillies for it’s flavour. Deeeelicious! Another minor unintentional tweak was that I added in 1 roasted sweet potato as well. I had this extra sweet potato from the day before which I had roasted for snacks but never got round to eating! It added an extra sweetness to the savoury dish and I have to admit, it was really good. My husband loved it so much that he had a second helping but with Rice instead of Chapati. HOW TO PREPARE First peel and cut pumpkin into cubes and set aside. You may season and oil it to roast beforehand if you wish. I did this the first time round so I did not have to boil it after adding to the other ingredients. The second attemp was the way of the original recipe and I find that both ways turned out the same. Slice Shallots and garlic. Wash and pound the dried prawns. Chop/slice chillies and scallions. I deseeded the chillies. Season as to your personal taste. I added a little hot chillie powder and smoked paprika. (Scroll down for the detailed recipe and print version) Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a pan/pot and fry the shallots till limp but not browned. Add the rest of ingredients and fry till the aroma comes out. Add the pumpkin cubes and 1-11/2 cups water and bring to a boil. Lower heat and cover to simmer till pumpkin is cooked and soft. Add more water a little by little if it dries up before pumpkin is cooked. Cook it till all water dries up unless you wish for a little gravy if serving it with Rice. Add in a bunch of chopped scallions the last 2 minutes of cooking and reserve some for garnish. Best served with Chapati. If you have tried this recipe, do let me know how it turned out! Tag @sweetsharings on instagram and mention #sweetsharings in a hashtag.

The post Savoury Sweet Pumpkin Fry (Labu Masak Cili) appeared first on Sweet Sharings.

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Savoury Sweet Pumpkin Fry is super easy to make. I find that this is best cooked with a sweet pumpkin species or butternut squash. It can be served with rice or roti, but goes superbly well with chapati! This recipe has dried prawns but is OPTIONAL if making vegetarian/vegan version.

Savoury sweet pumpkin fry

I have tried a number of pumpkin dishes this season, from sweet to savoury. It has come to my conclusion that apart from a spiced pumpkin soup or seasoned roasted pumpkin wedges for snacks, nothing beats good old simple savoury dishes. I find this super easy and fast Savoury Sweet Pumpkin Fry to be the best for me. All season I have made pumpkin cheesecakes, muffins and pies, even a pumpkin loaf. Seriously, I do not know what the hype is all about with the sweet dishes. Maybe I am getting too old or maybe I am just 100% Malaysian at heart with spicy tastebuds. 

CRAVING

Many years ago, one of my relatives served this simple savoury dish with chapati. The memory of it came to me last month and ever since then it became an obsession and craving. I just had to have it, so I asked Yazreena for her mum’s recipe. It is now my favourite pumpkin dish and it’s the simplest of them all. I really like ‘Labu masak cili’ (translated as ‘pumpkin cooked with chilli’). Making this dish is simple and fast. After having it for dinner and leftovers for breakfast, I still want more. I simply can’t get enough of it just yet!

INGREDIENTS

Sweet Pumpkin or Butternut Squash, Shallots, Garlic, Chillies and scallions for garnish. The recipe calls for a little ground dried prawns for flavour too. It’s a Malaysian thing and it does give an amazing flavour, though I know it is an acquired taste for many people. You may wish to omit the dried prawns, but I feel it then loses it’s authentic flavour.

BIRD’S EYE CHILLIES VS REGULAR RED CHILLIES

Although I prefer savoury dishes, I am unable to handle the cili padi part of it (birds eye chillies). The level of spicy is really a personal thing, so I just tweaked the chilli part in the recipe, to suit my taste. Instead of bird’s eye chillies, I added a little chilli powder, smoked paprika, and 2 deseeded red chillies for it’s flavour. Deeeelicious! Another minor unintentional tweak was that I added in 1 roasted sweet potato as well. I had this extra sweet potato from the day before which I had roasted for snacks but never got round to eating! It added an extra sweetness to the savoury dish and I have to admit, it was really good. My husband loved it so much that he had a second helping but with Rice instead of Chapati.

HOW TO PREPARE

First peel and cut pumpkin into cubes and set aside. You may season and oil it to roast beforehand if you wish. I did this the first time round so I did not have to boil it after adding to the other ingredients. The second attemp was the way of the original recipe and I find that both ways turned out the same. Slice Shallots and garlic. Wash and pound the dried prawns. Chop/slice chillies and scallions. I deseeded the chillies. Season as to your personal taste. I added a little hot chillie powder and smoked paprika. (Scroll down for the detailed recipe and print version)

Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a pan/pot and fry the shallots till limp but not browned. Add the rest of ingredients and fry till the aroma comes out. Add the pumpkin cubes and 1-11/2 cups water and bring to a boil. Lower heat and cover to simmer till pumpkin is cooked and soft. Add more water a little by little if it dries up before pumpkin is cooked. Cook it till all water dries up unless you wish for a little gravy if serving it with Rice. Add in a bunch of chopped scallions the last 2 minutes of cooking and reserve some for garnish. Best served with Chapati.

Savoury Sweet Pumpkin Fry
Savoury sweet pumpkin fry
Print

Savoury Sweet Pumpkin Fry

This Savoury dish is super easy to make. It is best cooked with sweet pumpkin or butternut squash. It can be served with rice or roti, but goes superbly well with chapati!
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine Asian, Malaysian
Keyword Butternut Squash, Malaysian, Pumpkin, Pumpkin Fry, Savoury, Savoury Sweet, vegan, vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories

Ingredients

  • 2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil I used rapeseed oil
  • 500 grams sweet pumpkin or butternut squash I used 1 very small butternut squash and 1 sweet potato
  • 1-1.5 cup water
  • 8 shallots sliced
  • 3-6 cloves garlic I used 6
  • 1-2 tablespoons Dried prawns optional – wash and pound/grind
  • 2 Bird's Eye Chillies or Red Chillies. I used 2 deseeded red chillies. Add/change to suit your taste.
  • 1 bunch scallions chopped
  • 2 teaspoons hot chili powder optional and use to suit personal taste
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika powder optional and use to suit personal taste
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • Heat oil in pan/wok/pot
  • Fry shallots till limp but not brown.
  • Add in garlic, dried prawns, chillies, chilli powder and smoked paprika. Fry till browned.
  • Add in the pumpkin cubes and water. Lower heat to low and cover. Let it cook on low heat till pumpkin is cooked, checking and stirring occasionally. Add more water a little by little if it dries up before pumpkin is cooked.
  • Add a bunch of chopped scallions during the last few minutes of cooking and reserve some for garnish. Cook pumpkin is soft. Most of the water will evaporate, making this a dry fry.
  • Season with salt to taste. Garnish and Serve hot.
  • Best served with Chapati.

Notes

  1. Add or lessen chillies to suit your taste.
  2. Dried prawns may be ommited due to allergies or for a vegan dish, but then it will lose it’s authentic flavour. 
  3. Most of the water will evaporate, making this a dry fry.

If you have tried this recipe, do let me know how it turned out! Tag @sweetsharings on instagram and mention #sweetsharings in a hashtag.

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Grilled Char Siu Chicken https://sweetsharings.com/recipe/grilled-char-siu-chicken/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grilled-char-siu-chicken https://sweetsharings.com/recipe/grilled-char-siu-chicken/#respond Tue, 07 Dec 2021 16:17:42 +0000 https://sweetsharings.com/?post_type=cuisine-recipe&p=1633 https://sweetsharings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/charsiu1_sweetsharings.jpeg Mouth watering, succulant Grilled Char Siu Chicken. Once you try this irresistable, sweet and savoury chicken, you will want more. ‘Char Siu’ means a Chinese dish of roast pork that requires an overnight marinate for good flavour. However, this is made with chicken, a healthier version and only needs a minimum of 30 minutes marinate time. Char Siu Chicken is an asian style of BBQ Chicken and is a perfect protein dish to pair with noodles or rice. COOK’S NOTES : This recipe is done with Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thigh Fillets. However, the marinade can be used for white meat (Chicken tenderloins/breasts) and even a Vegan Char Siu which is made with Tofu or Seitan or Mushrooms. Just remember that the cooking time will be reduced to half for white meat and tofu. It involves only a few simple steps. All you need is to combine the ingredients and marinate the chicken, then grill or roast to perfection. It’s seriously all about the marinade. Oven roasting the chicken yields perfectly fine flavour, but grilling it produces a wonderful old-school character. I know my chicken does not look so charred and the reason being that I only opted for 1 teaspoon of honey due to health reasons. The chicken still tasted great, but just not it’s maximum sweet or charred. To test for doneness, pierce the flesh with the tip of a knife: The chicken is cooked when clear juices flow out. Marinade or Marinate? INGREDIENTS NEEDED : Chicken, Garlic, Chinese 5 Spice, Hoisin Sauce, Sesame Oil, Soya Sauce, Tomato Ketchup (OR fermented red beancurd OR Natural Food Colouring), Dark Soya Sauce, Honey. MARINADE I marinate the chicken thigh fillets for at least 30 minutes if pressed for time. If you have the time, then marinating it longer would yield best results. Grilling over the stove top in a cast iron grill pan gives me more control in turning over the chicken pieces. You can roast it in the oven or even air fry it…whatever you prefer. I normally serve this Char Siu Chicken with Wonton Noodles or Rice, paired with green vegetables. If you like noodles, then I am sure you will like my : 20-min Dry Wonton Noodles and Quick Pickled Green Chillies Tomorrow I will make Vegan Char Siu Chicken and post the link as soon as I am able to blog it! PAIR WITH Noodles or Rice with Green Vegetables. Notice the Char Siu with Rice looks more charred and fully cooked than the one with the noodles. I made 2 versions : on stovetop during first attempt which was not so charred, served with noodles. The reason for this is because I used much less honey and did not increase the grilling time. (Honey and sugar gives the old school charred look). The second attempt was done in my Ninja Foodi MAX Health Grill & Air Fryer. This of course meant that the grilling was all done automatically for me and it still took only 10 minutes! No effort needed and turned out superb!

The post Grilled Char Siu Chicken appeared first on Sweet Sharings.

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Mouth watering, succulant Grilled Char Siu Chicken. Once you try this irresistable, sweet and savoury chicken, you will want more.

‘Char Siu’ means a Chinese dish of roast pork that requires an overnight marinate for good flavour. However, this is made with chicken, a healthier version and only needs a minimum of 30 minutes marinate time. Char Siu Chicken is an asian style of BBQ Chicken and is a perfect protein dish to pair with noodles or rice.

COOK’S NOTES :

This recipe is done with Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thigh Fillets. However, the marinade can be used for white meat (Chicken tenderloins/breasts) and even a Vegan Char Siu which is made with Tofu or Seitan or Mushrooms. Just remember that the cooking time will be reduced to half for white meat and tofu.

It involves only a few simple steps. All you need is to combine the ingredients and marinate the chicken, then grill or roast to perfection. It’s seriously all about the marinade. Oven roasting the chicken yields perfectly fine flavour, but grilling it produces a wonderful old-school character.

I know my chicken does not look so charred and the reason being that I only opted for 1 teaspoon of honey due to health reasons. The chicken still tasted great, but just not it’s maximum sweet or charred. To test for doneness, pierce the flesh with the tip of a knife: The chicken is cooked when clear juices flow out.

Marinade or Marinate?

INGREDIENTS NEEDED :
Char Siu chicken Ingredients

Chicken, Garlic, Chinese 5 Spice, Hoisin Sauce, Sesame Oil, Soya Sauce, Tomato Ketchup (OR fermented red beancurd OR Natural Food Colouring), Dark Soya Sauce, Honey.

Char Siu Marinade
MARINADE

I marinate the chicken thigh fillets for at least 30 minutes if pressed for time. If you have the time, then marinating it longer would yield best results.

Grilling over the stove top in a cast iron grill pan gives me more control in turning over the chicken pieces. You can roast it in the oven or even air fry it…whatever you prefer.

I normally serve this Char Siu Chicken with Wonton Noodles or Rice, paired with green vegetables. If you like noodles, then I am sure you will like my :

20-min Dry Wonton Noodles

and Quick Pickled Green Chillies

Tomorrow I will make Vegan Char Siu Chicken and post the link as soon as I am able to blog it!

PAIR WITH Noodles or Rice with Green Vegetables.

Notice the Char Siu with Rice looks more charred and fully cooked than the one with the noodles. I made 2 versions : on stovetop during first attempt which was not so charred, served with noodles. The reason for this is because I used much less honey and did not increase the grilling time. (Honey and sugar gives the old school charred look).

The second attempt was done in my Ninja Foodi MAX Health Grill & Air Fryer. This of course meant that the grilling was all done automatically for me and it still took only 10 minutes! No effort needed and turned out superb!

Char Siu Chicken
Print

Grilled Char Siu Chicken

A healthier version of Char Siu made with chicken. Mouth watering, succulant Grilled Char Siu Chicken; once you try this easy and irresistable, sweet and savoury chicken, you will want more. This is an asian style of BBQ Chicken and is a perfect protein dish to pair with noodles or rice.
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine Asian, Chinese, Malaysian, Singaporean, Vietnamese
Keyword Asian, BBQ chicken, Char Siu Chicken, Chicken Thighs, Grilled chicken, Malaysian, Singaporean, Vietnamese
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Marinate 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 4
Calories

Equipment

  • cast iron stove-top grill pan

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 500 gm Skinless Boneless chicken thighs 4-5 pieces.
  • 2 cloves garlic minced

Char Siu Marinade Sauce

  • 2 tbsp Light Soya Sauce
  • 2 tbsp Hoisin Sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey – preferably amber color I only used 2 tsp. as I’m pre diabetic
  • 1 tbsp Tomato Sauce
  • 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tsp Chinese 5 Spice
  • 1 tsp Dark Soya Sauce
  • ½ tsp white pepper optional
  • 1 tsp natural food coloring OR 2 pieces Chinese fermented red beancurd for the colour, optional. (I opted out)

Garnishing – optional

  • coriander leaves
  • white sesame seeds

Instructions

Marinate chicken

  • Place chicken and garlic in a bowl and rub in.
  • Combine all Marinade ingredients in another bowl and stir to mix well. Set aside 2-3 tbsp for glazing the chicken.
  • Add chicken to the bowl and coat well with the marinade sauce. Cover and marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge. Before Grilling, make sure the chicken is back to room temperature.

Grilling

  • Lightly oil a cast-iron stovetop grill pan and set over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 10-20 minutes, turning several times.
  • To test for doneness, pierce the flesh with the tip of a knife: The chicken is cooked when clear juices flow out.
  • During the last 2 minutes of cooking, baste with the reserved marinade to give it a nice glaze and enhance the flavour. 

Serving

  • Slice the char siu chicken thighs and serve immediately. Optional garnish of coriander leaves and/or white sesame seeds.

Notes

  1. You can use white meat/chicken tenderloins but remember cooking time is reduced to half the time.
  2. The same marinade may be used for Vegan Char Siu using Seitan, mushrooms or Tofu. Cooking time is half the time.
  3. You can Roast in the oven, Grill on stovetop or outdoor grill, or use an electric Griller. Even air frying is possible with this recipe.
  4. Recipe of 20-min wonton noodles : https://www.sweetsharings.com/recipe/20-min-dry-wonton-noodles
  5. Recipe of Quick Pickled Green Chillies : https://sweetsharings.com/recipe/quick-pickled-green-chillies
SERVING SUGGESTION :
20-min Dry Wonton Noodles
20-min Dry Wonton Noodles
Jasmine Rice with Char Siu chicken and Stir Fried Broccoli
Jasmine Rice with Stir Fried Broccoli

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20-min Dry Wonton Noodles https://sweetsharings.com/recipe/20-min-dry-wonton-noodles/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=20-min-dry-wonton-noodles https://sweetsharings.com/recipe/20-min-dry-wonton-noodles/#respond Thu, 02 Dec 2021 17:43:44 +0000 https://sweetsharings.com/?post_type=cuisine-recipe&p=1609 https://sweetsharings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/vegetarian_noodles.jpg Wonton Noodles is a popular noodle dish in Southeast Asia and can be served dry or with soup. This noodle recipe is very easy and quick to make and takes only 20 minutes to prepare. If you have all the accompaniments (protein, vegetables and condiments) already available and prepared earlier, then preparing the noodles itself will only take a jiffy to be ready. It’s gloomy outside of my window as I type this. The days are getting shorter and it gets dark so early. I could use a pick-me-up on this, and there are a few ways to do so. Today I choose what’s top on my list of pick-me-ups! If you already know me, you would have already guessed it right by saying food! I am kind of craving for a childhood favourite street food – Dry Wonton Noodles. Today I am going to serve my 20-min dry wonton noodles with char siew chicken as I have run out of wontons. It’s still a complete and balanced meal though! WHAT IS WONTON NOODLES? Wonton noodles are made from Wheat and Egg, like a kind of thin stringy pasta. They are sold fresh or in dried form and in ball like coils. I usually buy the fresh type. The simple preparation is to blanch the noodles and then toss the noodles in a garlic sesame soy sauce. Then I serve it with a protein, usually wontons or chicken or both, leafy greens and my pickled green chillies. COOK’S TIPS : Just like all fresh pasta, fresh Chinese egg noodles should be kept in their original sealed package in the refrigerator until ready to cook, and once opened, will last only a couple of days. Unopened, they should be good for about a week, but remember to check the expiration date! VERSATILE DISH Today’s dry wonton noodles will be without the wontons. All I had in the fridge was a pack of chicken thigh fillets and some Bak Choy and Choi Sum. I usually prepare the wontons a day ahead, making them fresh. However, I did not have the time to buy the ingredients, let alone prepare the prawn and chicken filling. The fresh wonton noodles I have are expiring in 2 days, so Wonton Noodles it is then for dinner. Besides, I need my quick noodle fix too! BLANCHING Wonton noodles come in a tight woven ball or coil, so I loosen the noodles with a pair of chopsticks as I blanch it, bobbing the basket in and out of the boiling water. I do this for about 30-40 seconds. Any longer and the noodles become soggy. I usually blanch my noodles in a special noodle strainer/blanching basket. What I do, is to put the noodles in the strainer basket and bob it in and out of the pot of boiling water. You can just put the whole batch of noodles in the boiling water too, then scoop it out and drain – this is how I blanch the vegetables though. SERVINGS My personal preference is to blanch individual servings of noodles and place into serving bowls separately instead of blanching all servings at one go. This way I am able to stick to 1 serving and not go overboard with my sugar levels (I am pre diabetic). Any dish in noodle or pasta form is tops on my husband’s favourite list, so he always goes for a second serving. 😛 SAUCE PICKLED GREEN CHILLIES Wonton noodles bring back childhood memories in Malaysia. I love my Wonton Noodles served with pickled green chillies. This dish is never complete without the pickled chillies! I usually have a jar in the fridge so it is always readily available. However, I tend to run out of it at times, so making it on the same day as your noodles is fine, it just needs 2 hours soaking in the vinegar solution. However, making the pickles a day ahead would give you best results. You can get a jar of pickled chillies from the Asian store but I prefer making my own. Home-made pickles are the best with fresh ingredients minus the preservatives. This pickle can last up to 1.5 months if kept in the refrigerator. CHAR SIU CHICKEN ‘Char Siu’ actually means a Chinese dish of roast pork marinated in a sweet and savoury sauce. My recipe however, is the healthier version of chicken marinated in the same sauce. Grilled Char Siu Chicken is an asian style of BBQ Chicken and it goes superbly well with Dry Wonton Noodles and even Jasmine Rice. VEGAN CHAR SIU CHICKEN (recipe coming soon) You may like to try : Grilled Char Siu Chicken Pickled Green Chillies

The post 20-min Dry Wonton Noodles appeared first on Sweet Sharings.

]]>
Wonton Noodles is a popular noodle dish in Southeast Asia and can be served dry or with soup. This noodle recipe is very easy and quick to make and takes only 20 minutes to prepare. If you have all the accompaniments (protein, vegetables and condiments) already available and prepared earlier, then preparing the noodles itself will only take a jiffy to be ready.

It’s gloomy outside of my window as I type this. The days are getting shorter and it gets dark so early. I could use a pick-me-up on this, and there are a few ways to do so. Today I choose what’s top on my list of pick-me-ups! If you already know me, you would have already guessed it right by saying food! I am kind of craving for a childhood favourite street food – Dry Wonton Noodles. Today I am going to serve my 20-min dry wonton noodles with char siew chicken as I have run out of wontons. It’s still a complete and balanced meal though!

WHAT IS WONTON NOODLES?
fresh wonton noodles

Wonton noodles are made from Wheat and Egg, like a kind of thin stringy pasta. They are sold fresh or in dried form and in ball like coils. I usually buy the fresh type. The simple preparation is to blanch the noodles and then toss the noodles in a garlic sesame soy sauce. Then I serve it with a protein, usually wontons or chicken or both, leafy greens and my pickled green chillies.

COOK’S TIPS :

Just like all fresh pasta, fresh Chinese egg noodles should be kept in their original sealed package in the refrigerator until ready to cook, and once opened, will last only a couple of days. Unopened, they should be good for about a week, but remember to check the expiration date!

VERSATILE DISH

Today’s dry wonton noodles will be without the wontons. All I had in the fridge was a pack of chicken thigh fillets and some Bak Choy and Choi Sum. I usually prepare the wontons a day ahead, making them fresh. However, I did not have the time to buy the ingredients, let alone prepare the prawn and chicken filling. The fresh wonton noodles I have are expiring in 2 days, so Wonton Noodles it is then for dinner. Besides, I need my quick noodle fix too!

BLANCHING

Wonton noodles come in a tight woven ball or coil, so I loosen the noodles with a pair of chopsticks as I blanch it, bobbing the basket in and out of the boiling water. I do this for about 30-40 seconds. Any longer and the noodles become soggy.

I usually blanch my noodles in a special noodle strainer/blanching basket. What I do, is to put the noodles in the strainer basket and bob it in and out of the pot of boiling water. You can just put the whole batch of noodles in the boiling water too, then scoop it out and drain – this is how I blanch the vegetables though.

SERVINGS

My personal preference is to blanch individual servings of noodles and place into serving bowls separately instead of blanching all servings at one go. This way I am able to stick to 1 serving and not go overboard with my sugar levels (I am pre diabetic). Any dish in noodle or pasta form is tops on my husband’s favourite list, so he always goes for a second serving. 😛

SAUCE
quick pickled green chillies
PICKLED GREEN CHILLIES

Wonton noodles bring back childhood memories in Malaysia. I love my Wonton Noodles served with pickled green chillies. This dish is never complete without the pickled chillies! I usually have a jar in the fridge so it is always readily available. However, I tend to run out of it at times, so making it on the same day as your noodles is fine, it just needs 2 hours soaking in the vinegar solution. However, making the pickles a day ahead would give you best results. You can get a jar of pickled chillies from the Asian store but I prefer making my own. Home-made pickles are the best with fresh ingredients minus the preservatives. This pickle can last up to 1.5 months if kept in the refrigerator.

CHAR SIU CHICKEN

‘Char Siu’ actually means a Chinese dish of roast pork marinated in a sweet and savoury sauce. My recipe however, is the healthier version of chicken marinated in the same sauce. Grilled Char Siu Chicken is an asian style of BBQ Chicken and it goes superbly well with Dry Wonton Noodles and even Jasmine Rice.

VEGAN CHAR SIU CHICKEN (recipe coming soon)
You may like to try :
Grilled Char Siu Chicken
Pickled Green Chillies
20-min Dry Wonton Noodles
Print

20-min Dry Wonton Noodles

Wonton Noodles is a popular noodle dish in Southeast Asia and can be served dry or with soup. This noodle recipe is very easy and quick to make and takes only 20 minutes to prepare. If you have all the desired accompaniments (wontons and/or a protein accompaniment, vegetables and/or pickled chillies) already available and prepared earlier, then preparing the noodles itself will only take a jiffy to be ready.
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Asian, Chinese, Malaysian, Vegetarian
Keyword Dried Wonton Noodles, Malaysian, Noodles, Southeast Asian, vegetarian, Wonton Noodles
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories

Ingredients

  • 400 grams fresh or dry wonton noodles (egg noodles) I used fresh
  • ½ bunch choy sum washed and cut into 2-inch lengths OR 2 bak choi cut into halves. I used both Bak Choi and Choy sum
  • pinch of salt optional
  • 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
  • Ground white pepper to taste
  • Spring Onions/Scallions optional garnish
  • 500 grams Protein Accompaniment – store bought or home made vegetarian or chicken char Siu and /or wontons. Char Siu is sliced into bite-sized pieces
  • Pickles chillies OR few Fresh long green chillies sliced and added to soya sauce in a sauce dish optional

TOSSING OIL – for each individual serving of noodles

  • 2 teaspoons thick dark soy sauce OR thick Sweet Soya Sauce (Kecap Manis)
  • 2 teaspoons light soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons oyster sauce OR Hoisin Sauce bean paste with Chinese 5 spices
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2-3 teaspoons Garlic Oil OR shallot flavoured oil store bought OR home-made

HOME MADE GARLIC OIL

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

  • Prepare the pickled chillies from 2 hours to a day in advance
  • Have your Protein accompaniment Ready and set aside (Wontons/Char Siu Chicken/vegetarian Char Siu). See my blog links to Chicken and Vegetarian/vegan char siu recipes

PREPARE GARLIC OIL

  • Heat the oil in a pan and fry the minced garlic over low-medium heat until it starts to turn lightly golden in color and crisp. Transfer immediately to a heat proof bowl and set aside.

PREPARE VEGETABLES

  • Wash and rinse vegetables. Cut each head of bak choi into halves. Set them aside. For choy sum, cut into 2-inch lengths.
  • Bring a medium or large pot of water to the boil. Add 1 tbsp vegetable oil and a pinch of salt (optional). Blanch the vegetables. Remove, drain and set aside. Do not discard the water. It will be used to blanch the noodles as well.
  • Prepare 4 serving plates with cutlery – chopsticks and Chinese soup spoon or just a fork.

PREPARE NOODLES

  • In each shallow serving bowl, place 1 serve of the tossing sauce.
  • With the same boiling water used for blanching the vegetables, bring it to a boil. Using a pair of chopsticks, add individual servings of noodles into water to cook, stirring continually, for about 25-30 seconds (100 g or adjust quantity depending on each person).
    fresh wonton noodles
  • Use a large sieve to drain the noodles and run it under cold running tap water for 5 seconds, then dip the noodles in the boiling water again just to warm it up.
    Blanching noodles
  • Lift up noodles using noodle sieve basket. Do not discard water.
  • Transfer the noodles into the serving bowl and toss them in the tossing sauce.
  • Add a dash of white pepper (optional)
  • Place individual servings of vegetables, char siu chicken and/or wontons in each plate of noodles.
  • Garnish noodles with spring onions/scallions – optional
  • Serve immediately wth pickled green chillies and a bowl of wonton soup OR clear chicken/vegetable broth with a little white pepper and scallions as flavour and garnish.
    Pickled Green chillies

Notes

  1. If you like it spicy, but wish to opt out of the pickled green chillies, then mix the noodles with some Sriracha chilli sauce, chilli paste or any favourite plain sambal of your choice.
  2. You can prepare and mix the tossing sauce enough for 4 servings in a bowl and divide servings into 4 plates. 
  3.  Recipe of Grilled Char Siu Chicken : https://www.sweetsharings.com/recipe/grilled-char-siu-chicken
  4. Recipe of Quick Pickled Green Chillies : https://sweetsharings.com/recipe/quick-pickled-green-chillies

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