Spiced Pandan Kaya

INSTRUCTIONS

• 1 Whisk eggs, yolks, sugar and corn starch in medium heat-safe bowl until smooth and slightly thickened. Set aside.
• 2 Place cinnamon sticks and black peppercorns in medium heavy bottom saucepan. Toast on medium-low heat 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in coconut milk, pandan flavor, vanilla and anise extract, and salt. Bring to gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow mixture to steep for 10 minutes. Strain mixture through fine mesh sieve. Discard cinnamon sticks and peppercorns.
• 3 Whisking constantly, gradually add hot coconut milk mixture to the egg mixture, about 1/4 cup at a time, stirring until well blended and smooth. Return mixture to saucepan. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wire whisk, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3 to 5 minutes. (The mixture will begin to thicken quickly once the temperature reaches about 175°F to 180°F.) Remove from heat. Immediately transfer jam mixture to medium bowl; whisk continuously 10 seconds. Cool slightly. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing plastic directly onto surface of jam. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• 4 Test Kitchen Tips:
  • If pandan extract is not available, puree 1/2 cup fresh or frozen pandan leaves in blender container with 1 cup water until smooth. (Add additional water, if needed to blend.) Strain to remove any lumps or solids. Use 1 tablespoon of the pureed mixture in place of 1 teaspoon pandan flavoring. Store remaining pandan puree in airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week.
  • If the Kaya Jam mixture is not as smooth as you'd like it, transfer cooled mixture to blender container. Cover and pulse until smooth.