Yam Paste Recipe ("Or Nee" 芋泥)

Yam paste, also known as "or nee" (Chinese: 芋泥) was never in my dictionary of good food. I usually don't fancy and avoid hot desserts especially in Singapore's hot weather. Until the day I tried yam paste for the first time (after many years) at the food tasting session for my wedding banquet at Park Royal Pickering Singapore.

Since that day, and my wedding banquet, I've been infatuated with yam paste and went around searching for the best yam paste in Singapore. Unfortunately, yam paste is not easily available in common dessert places (such as the ones at coffee shops, food courts and hawker centers). 

I finally got to try it at Dessert Story at nex. Their yam paste tasted pretty good (though not as nice as Park Royal Pickering's), but it was really costly and oily. Not to forget, the sense of guilt after devouring the sinful bowl of yam paste. Why sinful? This is because an important ingredient in yam paste is lard and it is reallyyyyyyyyy unhealthy to be eating that.

I decided to source for the best yam paste recipe online so that I can make my own yam paste (also can impress my in laws, my hubby, save costs, and most importantly, minimise the sinfulness and use healthier ingredients). After extensive research and merging a few recipes into my own customised recipe, I have come up with my own yam paste recipe!

Preparation Time

30mins

Ingredients

(Serves 4 to 5 people)

• 500g yam (Can go for the pre-packed ones which cost about $4 at all major supermarkets)
• 200ml coconut milk (I used Ayam brand which costs $0.90 @ NTUC)
• 5-6 long blades of pandan leaves (1 whole bunch of about 12 leaves costs about $0.30 @ Giant Supermarket)
• Gingko nuts (I bought 1 can of boiled gingko nuts @ about $1.50)
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil (healthier choice!)
• 1 large bulb of shallots (about 4-5 cloves)
• 5 tablespoons of sugar (I used white coarse sugar)

Pre-packed Yam

Ingredients for Yam Paste

The total cost of preparing the yam paste was only about $6.70! (Considering that I already have shallots, sugar and olive oil at home.)

Directions

It's really easy! With the above "shortcut" ingredients, you won't need to waste time on preparation, such as soaking and boiling gingko nuts as they tend to taste bitter if not cooked thoroughly. Also, washing yam can be quite tedious as well. Thankfully Giant and NTUC have ready solutions for yam paste!

1. Slice the yam cubes.
2. Wash and tie the pandan leaves into a bundle.
3. Place the pandan leaves on top of the yam slices and steam for about 20 mins (till it turns really soft - Poke it to check)
4. Mash the yam and throw into the blender.
5. Add sugar, olive oil and about 80% of the coconut milk into the blender.
6. Blend till the yam turns into a soft puree.
7. Empty the blender into a large pan and stir fry over small heat for about 5mins. (Add more sugar according to your preference.)
8. Place the yam paste into serving bowls. Arrange the gingko nuts on top and drizzle the remaining coconut milk over the paste according to your preference.

Blend till it turns into soft yam puree

And we are done!!!

The final product!

Verdict
 

I'm not a professional food critic, but i personally feel that the DIY yam paste really tastes good! Not too oily, not too sweet, just nice for my liking. The recipe is good enough for me to make yam paste again for the coming CNY 2014 :) Most recipes also include pumpkin, but I didn't include as I don't really fancy pumpkins.