Picture Perfect - Red

 

 

Picture Perfect 2008/#07

Theme : Red

Camera : Canon PowerShot S5 IS

Date Taken : 2008 Feb

 

 

 

Ang Ku Kueh, Chinese 红龟糕 known as Red Tortoise Cake (literally translated from Hokkien), is one of the common Chinese/Nonya pastries found in Singapore.

 

As the name says, basically it is shaped like the shell of a tortoise because it was believed then, that eating these long-living creatures would bring longevity to the person eating it.  The traditional Ang Ku Kueh has fillings like grounded peanuts, salty bean paste and green bean paste.

 

A good Ang Ku Kueh is one where the skin does not stick to the teeth and gives a good chewy feeling.  The fillings should be smooth, mixed very well with the skin and should not obstruct the chewy feeling.

 

Basically the skin of the Ang Ku Kueh is made from glutinous rice flour.

Dough is made from it and the fillings is put in before it is rolled into a large ball.

The ball is pressed into a mould to create the "look" akin to a tortoise shell.

The whole batch is steamed to create Ang Ku Kueh.

 

Usually, Ang Ku Kueh is a must when there’s a temple celebration, or some celebrations in the home, especially for prayers to the Deities.

 

When someone’s baby has reached one-month old, Ang Ku Kueh is one of the spread of goodies given to relatives and friends who have given gifts within the one month of the baby’s birth.

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