Custard Pudding

A very popular dessert in cantonese restaurants

Ingredients:
1/2 cup tapioca
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 cup water
2 tbsp margarine
2 tbsp corn starch
3 tbsp custard powder
4 eggs
1/2 cups japanese red bean sauce
1 tbsp corn oil

Method:
1. Boil about 2 liters of water. Pour 1/2 cup tapioca into the boiling water. Bring to boil then lower to medium heat. Cook until tapioca turns transparent. Put tapioca into a sieve and leave under running water for about 1/2 minute. Keep tapioca in cold water. Set aside.

2. Cook red bean sauce in a saucepan. Try to mash the beans at the same time. Slowly add corn oil. Stir vigourously. Set aside.

3. Add 1/2 cup of water, evaporated milk and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves then add margarine. Remove tapioca from cold water and add into the mixture. Mix corn starch, custard powder and 1/2 cup water in a small bowl. Then add this mixure into the saucepan. Stir the mixture, cook until the mixture becomes thick. Remove pan from stove, slowly add in the eggs. Whisk mixture.

4. Preheat oven to 190 Celcius. Pour 1/2 tapioca mixture into a baking pan, add red bean paste, then pour the rest of the tapioca mixture on top. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown.
Serve hot.

Sour Cream

I couldn't find sour cream in any supermarket in Curitiba. (It was not available in Salalah either) Luckily, I found this recipe in the Pine Post by International Women's Club of Parana.

Ingredients:
500 g of creme de leite (cream)
1 container of natural yogurt
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 lemon

Method:
Combine cream, yogurt and mayonnaise and whip with a hand mixer. When the mixture has the consistency of whipped cream, add the lemone juice which will sour the cream. 1/2 of the lemon is usually enough but depends on your taste. Flavour improves if it has time to sit.

Keep for up to 1 week in the fridge.

Note: Do not beat too much or you will get butter.