Gula melaka agar

This works because of science! I didn't set out to make a jelly with the distinct two layers but the densities separated on their own.

Ingredients

Juice of 10 to 15 pandan leaves, topped up with water to make 500ml

¾ block of gula melaka

1 can of coconut milk (approx 400ml), topped up with water to make 500ml

1 packet of Swallow brand agar agar powder

Method

1. To extract the juice of pandan leaves, add just enough water to a blender to pulverize 10 to 15 pandan leaves, snipped into short lengths. Pour into a container lined with cheesecloth and allow to drain. Squeeze out any remaining juice and discard the dredges. Leave the juice to separate. More sediment will settle at the bottom.

2. Top up both the coconut milk and juice with water to make 500ml each.

3. Pour the coconut milk into a saucepan and add the gula melaka. On a medium flame, slowly rotate the gula melaka to melt until completely dissolved. If the coconut milk seems to be starting to boil, pour in a bit of the pandan juice.

4. Once completely dissolved, pour in the remaining pandan juice and add the agar agar powder. Stir to dissolve and ensure no lumps remain.

5. Bring to a boil. Once it starts to foam, switch off the flame.

6. Pour immediately into a prepared jelly mold. Prepared means to wet the mold so that it's easier to remove later.

7. Allow to cool completely before putting in the fridge to chill, at least 4 hours or overnight if time permits.