The Inspiration
Growing up in Malaysia, chefs Seleste Tan and Mogan Anthony ate bite-size sweets called kuih. One in particular, the Malaysian Chinese angku kuih, was prized (and consumed) during special occasions due to its tortoise shape, a symbol of longevity in Chinese tradition. Now it’s an everyday snack in Malaysia, and the couple sells it every weekend at their East Village shop.
The Glutinous Rice Dough
“It has a clay-like texture,” Anthony explains. “Unlike traditional pastry, which bounces back when you press into it, this holds an imprint.” The glutinous rice flour dough incorporates pandan juice, which imparts a grassy, vanilla-like flavor, and beet or red rice powder for that red hue, which represents prosperity in Chinese culture. The dough is then wrapped around the filling, fitted into the…
