Khanom Tuey: Behind the Scenes
February 2nd, 2009
Khanom Tuey (Coconut Puddings Steamed in Ceramic Cups)
Bangkok, Thailand – There are some street food dishes that come together in front of your eyes and there are others that seem to spring into life fully formed like Athena. I had the good fortune of seeing one of those fully formed dishes in process. I’ve seen khanom tuey, coconut pudding steamed in ceramic cups, around town. Usually there’s a plastic crate filled with ceramic cups on a table. The vendor patiently unmolds each of the puddings filling styrofoam containers. I’ve always wondered how they steamed vast numbers of ceramic cups and finally I got to see it in the morning market on Rama III Soi 44. The vendor had three pre-mixed batters of banana, pumpkin and taro made with a base of rice flour, coconut milk and palm sugar. She would fill a large circular metal steamer, about 2 feet in diameter, with ceramic cups and spoon batter into them. The steamers were then placed over a gas-heated steamer bottom and covered with a large metal cone. Heat and repeat.
Khanom Tuey Batter – Banana, Pumpkin and Taro
Filling Ceramic Cups with Khanom Tuey Batter
Steamer Tray of Khanom Tuey
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