ขนมต้มใบเตย

ขนมต้มใบเตย (Pandan Khanom Tom) — Easy Thai Coconut Rice Dumplings

Introduction to ขนมต้มใบเตย

ขนมต้มใบเตย is a fragrant Thai dessert of soft, pandan-flavored glutinous rice dumplings filled with sweet palm sugar and rolled in grated coconut. This beginner-friendly recipe uses pandan (ใบเตย) for its green color and aromatic lift, making it an ideal sweet snack for home cooks who want a taste of authentic Thai sweets. Ready in about 45–60 minutes, this recipe yields about 18–24 small dumplings.

Ingredients for ขนมต้มใบเตย

• 1 cup (140 g) glutinous rice flour
• 1/3 cup (50 g) tapioca starch (optional — gives chewiness)
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) coconut milk
• 1/4 cup pandan juice (made from 6–8 pandan leaves blended with 1/4 cup water) or 1/2 tsp pandan extract
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt (for the dough)
• 6 tbsp palm sugar, chopped into small pieces (or use lightly packed brown sugar)
• 2 cups freshly grated coconut (for coating)
• 1/4 tsp salt (for seasoning the grated coconut)
• Water for boiling

Instructions: How to Make ขนมต้มใบเตย

1. Make pandan juice: Wash pandan leaves, chop roughly, blend with 1/4 cup water, then strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. If you don’t have fresh pandan, substitute 1/2 tsp pandan extract and a drop of green food coloring if desired.
2. Prepare the filling: Chop the palm sugar into small pieces or roll into 18–24 pea-sized balls. Keep them chilled so they are easier to work with.
3. Season the grated coconut: Mix grated coconut with 1/4 tsp salt and steam it for 3–5 minutes to lightly cook and season. Set aside in a shallow bowl for coating.
4. Make the dough: In a mixing bowl, combine glutinous rice flour, tapioca starch (if using), sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt. Gradually add pandan juice and coconut milk while stirring until the mixture forms a soft but manageable dough. If dough is too sticky, add a little more glutinous rice flour; if too dry, add a teaspoon of warm water or coconut milk.
5. Form the dumplings: Divide the dough into 18–24 equal pieces (about 18–20 g each). Flatten each piece into a small disc, place a piece of palm sugar in the center, and carefully seal to form a smooth ball. Make sure there are no gaps to avoid leaks during cooking.
6. Boil the dumplings: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Gently drop the filled dumplings into the boiling water in batches so they have room. Stir gently to prevent sticking. When the dumplings float to the surface, continue cooking for another 2–3 minutes to ensure the filling melts.
7. Cool briefly and coat: Use a slotted spoon to remove the dumplings and transfer them to a bowl of warm water briefly to prevent sticking, then immediately roll each warm dumpling in the seasoned grated coconut until well coated.
8. Optional finish: For a slightly firmer coating, steam the coated dumplings for 3–4 minutes before serving.
9. Serve: Arrange on a plate and enjoy ขนมต้มใบเตย warm or at room temperature.

Cooking Tips for ขนมต้มใบเตย

These practical tips will help beginners get consistent results:

• If your dough cracks when forming balls, it’s too dry — add a little warm coconut milk or pandan water a teaspoon at a time.
• Keep the palm sugar filling chilled or slightly firm so it’s easier to seal inside the dough.
• Don’t overcrowd the pot while boiling — overcrowding lowers the water temperature and can cause the dumplings to break apart.
• If you can’t find fresh pandan leaves, pandan extract works well. Adjust the amount to taste; extract is concentrated.
• Fresh grated coconut gives the best texture; if using desiccated coconut, rehydrate it slightly with a splash of coconut milk and a pinch of salt.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 2–3 days. Reheat gently by steaming for 3–4 minutes to restore chewiness.

Nutritional Information for ขนมต้มใบเตย

The following values are approximate and intended as a general guide for one serving (about 3 small dumplings):

• Calories: ~220 kcal
• Carbohydrates: ~40 g
• Fat: ~8 g (mostly from coconut milk and grated coconut)
• Protein: ~2 g
• Fiber: ~1 g

Exact nutrition will vary based on ingredients and portion size. For a lighter version, reduce the filling sugar or use smaller portions.

Conclusion: Enjoy ขนมต้มใบเตย at Home

ขนมต้มใบเตย is a delightful, aromatic Thai dessert that’s surprisingly simple for home cooks. With pandan-scented dough, a sweet gooey center, and a soft coconut coating, these dumplings make a lovely snack or party treat. Follow the steps above, use fresh ingredients when possible, and adjust sweetness and texture to your preference. Happy cooking — and enjoy your homemade ขนมต้มใบเตย!