Since I was in the mood for agar agar dessert, I was happy to find some frozen pandan leaves at the Asian market for about $1. It would be nice to find some fresh ones, but they can only grow in tropical climates. The package was from Vietnam and read, “Bay Thoy Leaf”.
Nicely washed and cut pandan leaf. Photo from hsa*ba, Burmese cooking.
Pandan leaves have a very interesting scent. I can’t really describe, a bit herbal floral. And somewhat of a ripe banana too. But other have described as being rose like. Not only does it offer a fragrant scent, but it could be used as food coloring too. Some even use it to wrap their food for cooking. I just want to use them to make agar agar dessert.
I am starting to enjoy agar agar more then gelatin. Gelatin is a bit boring and it’s derived from the collagen inside animals’ skin and bones. Bad for vegetarians, but good for those that don’t mind animal collagen. Agar agar is derived from seaweed and has trace minerals and more.
I found some neat inspiration for making desserts using agar agar from Appon’s: Recipe from my native Thailand. Appon made this dessert with mashed pumpkin and pandan flavor agar agar. Since I am a fan of pumpkin pie, I think this would taste great. Photo from Appon.
Angie of SeaSaltwithFood is Vancouver based food blogger. Here is an amazing photo of her Glutinous Rice with Pandan Custard Layer. Visit her blog for more recipes. Photo by SeaSaltwithFood. Another one I like to try making is Tray Cake with coconut milk, rice flour, and mung beans.
Appon also wrote that the green liquid extract if pandan can be kept frozen for up to 6 months. I think I may just do that so it’s easier to use for cooking. Or maybe to scent and color my handmade soaps!
These are Pandan plant from taken by jayjayc.
7:53 pm on September 21st, 2009
I like the Thai dessert with this aroma, it’s different from the American dessert, and the one with the pumpkin would be good for Thanksgiving.
6:13 pm on September 26th, 2009
Hi Nye,
Yes the pandan leaves do have a unique scent. I wonder if it would be too strange for most westerners, but it is a pleasant smell. My mom makes these great custard filled steam pumpkin (where you steam the whole thing). Harvest season is when we get to eat them.
8:14 pm on April 30th, 2010
[...] vanilla of the East - fragrant Pandan Leaves. 1 Comment Haagen-Dazs, Hawaii, Huahua Farm, vanilla farm, Vanilla orchid, Vanilla [...]
2:55 am on June 5th, 2011
[...] the summertime with ice cubes. Maybe topped off with fresh mints. Some people also add the juice of pandan leaves for it’s natural green color and [...]