Nine Layers Steamed Lapis (九层糕)

I have tried a few recipes from food websites - #1 & #2 and also tried recipe from my cookbook... I was really very disappointed with the results. Texture was either too hard (with strong taste of rice flour) or too sticky (couldn't cut at all, even using the string/plastic knife). Recalling the very last time b4 this was worst, after steaming half way abt 4-5 layers, the kueh didn't look rite at all!!! The colour of the kueh was so FAKE and quite hard too, I was so frustrated and threw it away in immediately... from then I gave up trying for a long time. Until this May'05, I found KC and from there... I got this wonderful recipe that shared by Leelee. After reading all the reviews and gave it a try! True enough - It's a Superior recipe!!! Many thanks to Leelee for the recipe and allowed me to post it here.

(Credits: Recipe from Leelee)

Ingredients:

• 500 g Tapioca Flour
• 400 g Sugar
• 1 tsp Vanilla Powder
• 150 g Rice Flour
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1-1/2 Coconut (1st squeeze milk 500 ml)
• (2nd squeeze milk 1000 ml)
• A few Pandan leaves

Method:

1. Put tapioca flour, vanilla powder and rice flour into a large bowl. Add 1st squeezed coconut milk (500 ml), salt and 200ml of 2nd squeezed coconut milk and mix well.
2. Put sugar, pandan leaves and remaining 800 ml of the 2nd squeezed coconut milk into a saucepan; Stir well. Boil and leave it aside to cool.
3. Add flour mixture in Step (1) to Step (2).
4. Divide mixture in 3 portions:- A green, red and white portions.
5. Pour 1/3 (abt 2 big scoop) of white mixture into round or square 9 X 9-inch tray and steam for 8 minutes.
6. Pour 1/3 (abt 2 big scoop) of green mixture and steam for 5 minutes. Followed by 2 scoop of red mixture and steam for 5 minutes. Repeat until you get 9 layers.

*** Notes & Tips from Leelee: The first layer white must steam for 8 minutes and the rest just steam for 5 minutes. You can follow the above method but for me, I used a 9 X 9-inch square tin and use 1 cup of the white mixture as 1st layer and steam for 8 mins. Then another 1 cup of white mixture again as 2nd layer and steam for 5 mins. Then 1 cup of white mixture (add your own colouring as desired) and this will be the 3rd layer. Carry on doing the coloured layers until you finish using the mixture.***

Note II from me: As I couldn't get fresh coconut here so I used 1-1/2 cans of coconut milk altogether. I actually halved the recipe and made a 8 X 6-inch Aluminum Tray and I get 9 layers exactly.