The holy month of Ramadhan all over the world, has different traditions for breaking the fast, one thing common will be sweetmeats, whether its dates or a glass of sharbat. Here in Indonesia, people will mostly drink hot sweet black tea to be followed by various KOLAKS. Kolaks are mostly soupy, palm sugar and coconut milk based. Various things are added, like jack fruit or banana, or sweet potato etc. Mostly served warm as the people here believe that breaking a fast with something cold will surely harm the stomach.😊
Kolaks are made with many twists. Here at home during Ramadhan helpers make different types of sweets. Will share some more recipes soon. Today I will share kolak made with sweet potato dumplings. CANDIL (pronounced Chandil) is balls of sweet potato. Hence the name. Easy to make and light on the stomach. No oil goes in the preparation.
Ingredients
For the Candil (Balls):
- 500 gms orange sweet potato
- 150 gms TAPIOKA flour
- A pinch of salt
For the Coconut Milk Drizzle:
- 200 ml coconut milk (tetra pack)
- 100 ml water
- 1 knotted pandan leaf (or 1/2 tsp vanilla powder)
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the Palm Sugar Syrup:
- 600 ml water
- 200 gms chopped palm sugar (jaggery)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 knotted pandan leaf (or vanilla essence at the end)
- Slurry: 2 tbsps tapioka flour mixed with 50 ml water
Method
Step 1: The Sweet Potato Balls
- Peel and chop 500 gms of sweet potato and steam cook for about 15 mins (avoid boiling them).
- Once cooked, remove onto a plate and mash using a fork.
- Put in a big bowl along with 150 gms TAPIOKA flour and a pinch of salt.
- Mix the warm mashed potatoes with the flour and knead into a smooth ball.
- Divide and roll quickly into small balls (makes about 75 small balls) and keep aside.
Step 2: The Coconut Milk
- In a sauce pan, add 200 ml of coconut milk, 100 ml of water, pandan leaf, and salt.
- Simmer, stirring continuously for 10 mins; keep aside.
Step 3: The Palm Sugar Syrup
- Heat 600ml water with chopped palm sugar, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, and pandan leaf.
- Boil till sugar dissolves, then strain into another pan to remove impurities.
- Boil again and add the tapioka flour slurry; bring to a boil and keep aside.
Final Step: Cooking and Assembling
- Bring 1.5 liters of water to a rolling boil in a big pot and add the sweet potato balls.
- Boil until they rise to the surface (about 5 mins), then keep on boil for another few mins.
- Strain off the water and add the balls to the palm sugar syrup. Give one boil and it’s done.
- To serve, put a few balls and syrup in a bowl and drizzle with the coconut milk. Enjoy warm.
Tip: To get things done faster, steam the potatoes, make the syrup, and prepare the coconut milk on three separate stoves simultaneously to finish within 45 mins. The bland coconut milk balances the sweet palm sugar syrup.
