Melting Wok: Asian Flavors and More!

Every Monday, I look forward to another action-packed "24". I forgot the season had come to an end last week :( As I sat on my recliner, rocking away ... rocking away ...

Jack Bauer tackled me down at CTU, Melting Wok division, Los Angeles. This takes place between 21:00 and 22:00.

Jack Bauer : I'm federal agent Jack Bauer, and today is the longest day of my life.
Me : Abort your mission, join me for a quick bite before you tackle your real enemies.

Jack Bauer : *What* is your primary objective ?
Me : I have some colorful papercups leftovers from making mochis, a polished muffin pan, some eggs and flour. Lets get the action rolling, shall we ?

Jack Bauer : You are absolutely sure you can do this ?
Me : Well .. I wanted to make you some of my mom's Pandan Chiffon Cake, but with your busy schedule, I'll settle with a quick and easy muffin bake recipe, 20 minutes tops..

Jack Bauer : You're not a field operative !
Me : I have a pistol-shaped thingy in my kitchen that shoots fire and I'll lend you my oven to torture uncooperative suspects.

Jack Bauer : If you don't tell me what I want to know, then it'll just be a question of how much you want it to hurt.
Me : Okay, I have here some Pandanus extract. Pandan leaves are one of the few disparate ingredients used in the Asian cuisine, especially in sweet and savory desserts. So, agent Bauer, how much do you really know about Asian food flavorings ?

Jack Bauer : I don't have time to explain right now.
Me : In that case, let's get on with the Pandan And Coconut muffin cakes now, shall we ?

Jack Bauer : I know what it's like to feel like it's never going to end.
Me : Totally, this quick and easy muffin bake will totally rock your never-ending world. Its savory, sweet and delectable to your taste buds.

Jack Bauer : You are going to tell me everything I want to know or I swear to God I will hurt you before I kill you, and no one will be able to stop me.
Me : Relax .. I always reveal my recipe at the end of every post. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, are ya ?

Jack Bauer : What is happening at 20:00 ?
Me : Here .. hot, steamy savory sweet mini muffins ..

Jack Bauer : Don't move !
MW : What ?

Jack Bauer : Shocking, your mini Pandan Coconut Muffins are absoltely riveting, I'm amazed ! Got milk ?
Me : Sure .. would you like to wash it down with some pandan-flavored soy milk ?

If only every adversary can be so easily handled in real life. For today, I will just stick with my illusive fantasy. Haha .. girls just wanna have fu-un. Since I can't really share my beloved mini Pandan Coconut Muffin cakes with Jack Bauer, I shall share this with all of you, including Sandra at Muffin Monday in Italy, bon apetit ! :)

Pandan Coconut Muffin Recipe

Ingredients :
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp Pandan extract
1 egg
70 ml cooking oil
90 ml coconut milk
150 ml water
6 muffin cups

Method :

1) Preheat oven to 375F. Line paper cups on a muffin tray, set aside.
2) In a bowl, lightly beat the eggs, add water, coconut milk, oil, pandan extract, salt, sugar, baking powder and mix well.
3) Sieve the flour, and slowly pour into the mixture, mix well, and set aside.
4) Scoop the muffin mixture onto the muffin cups until 2/3 full.
5) Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a light brown crust appear or cracks out of the muffin top.

Notes : In most Asian countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia, Pandan leaves are often pounded or strained, and then blended with a little water to add flavor to sweet and savory recipes. This delicate flavor is crucial to Asians as vanilla is to Westerners.
To prevent your muffins from getting too hard, do not over-whip (mix) the mixture aand allow too much air in.

Other Sweet Notes :