Anna Miller's Matcha Haupia Pie
OK, this is not Japanese. Not even a smidgen.
This was the dessert I had to cap off my dinner.
I was walking past the restaurant hunting for a place for coffee when I saw the name "Haupia Pie". What the heck is that? - I thought to myself as I surveyed the menu outside the restaurant. I was a tad tentative - as I really hate to end a good day and dinner with something awful. Then I saw 'Expresso' on the menu and in the end, the coffee decided for me.
I am in Japan. What is more Japanese as an dessert idea than to have something with Matcha (Japanese Green Tea)? Of course, the colour arrived a tad livid, almost like radioactive scum. But hey, I get to taste "Haupia" which for me, came across a tad on the harder side of gelantinous, with a mild taste of coconut milk or cooked yams. Surprisingly the pie was good - the crazy combo of brittle biscuit pie base, Matcha cream, Azuki beans (Red Beans) , Haupia and cream all worked together to pair up with the Expresso to grant me a satisfying finish to the day.
I later learned that Haupia is a traditional coconut milk-based Hawaiian dessert. Although technically considered a pudding, the consistency of Haupia closely approximates gelatin dessert. To prepare Haupia, diluted coconut milk, sugar, and salt are mixed with arrowroot or cornstarch and heated until thickened and smooth, then poured into a rectangular pan and chilled.
So I wasn't really off the mark when I thought I detected coconut milk....thank goodness, or I'll be out of a job!
Anna Miller's Matcha Haupia Pie
OK, this is not Japanese. Not even a smidgen.
This was the dessert I had to cap off my dinner.
I was walking past the restaurant hunting for a place for coffee when I saw the name "Haupia Pie". What the heck is that? - I thought to myself as I surveyed the menu outside the restaurant. I was a tad tentative - as I really hate to end a good day and dinner with something awful. Then I saw 'Expresso' on the menu and in the end, the coffee decided for me.
I am in Japan. What is more Japanese as an dessert idea than to have something with Matcha (Japanese Green Tea)? Of course, the colour arrived a tad livid, almost like radioactive scum. But hey, I get to taste "Haupia" which for me, came across a tad on the harder side of gelantinous, with a mild taste of coconut milk or cooked yams. Surprisingly the pie was good - the crazy combo of brittle biscuit pie base, Matcha cream, Azuki beans (Red Beans) , Haupia and cream all worked together to pair up with the Expresso to grant me a satisfying finish to the day.
I later learned that Haupia is a traditional coconut milk-based Hawaiian dessert. Although technically considered a pudding, the consistency of Haupia closely approximates gelatin dessert. To prepare Haupia, diluted coconut milk, sugar, and salt are mixed with arrowroot or cornstarch and heated until thickened and smooth, then poured into a rectangular pan and chilled.
So I wasn't really off the mark when I thought I detected coconut milk....thank goodness, or I'll be out of a job!