Bubur Candil (Sweet Potato Balls in Palm Sugar Syrup and Coconut Milk)

In Indonesia, Bubur Candil can easily be found during ramadhan.  I understand why this sweet treat is very popular during this fasting period.  The gooey texture of candil (sweet potato balls), the sweetness of palm sugar syrup and the richness of coconut milk, all of these can satisfy what you have been through all day during these fasting period days.  It is just simply tasty and will bring you to the moon :)

It is almost hard to believe, that this sweet Indonesian dumpling is really easy to make.

So let's start!



Bubur Candil (Sweet Potato Balls in Palm Sugar Syrup and Coconut Milk)
Ingredients :
Candil (sweet potato balls):
500 g sweet potatoes, peeled and steamed
200 g tapioca flour (or gelatinous flour)
½ tsp salt

Palm sugar syrup:
1,8 L water
250-300 g palm sugar/coconut sugar, shredded
1 tsp salt
1 pandan leaf (optional)

Coconut milk sauce: 
400 ml canned coconut milk (60-70 % extract) or 750-800 ml extract from 1 coconut
300-400 ml water
1 pinch salt
1 pandan leaf (optional)

* For thickening sauce (optional)
1 tsp cornstarch 
2-3 tbsp water


Methods:
Candil (sweet potato balls):

• Bring water to boil over medium heat.
• Add salt to the steamed potatoes then mash them.
• Mix with tapioca flour then knead until becoming a smooth dough. 
• To form candil easier, divide dough into 4 portions then roll out a portion to form cylinder.
• Cut the cylinder dough into small pieces then shape them into small balls.
• Drop the sweet potato balls into boiling water. We can start to prepare palm sugar syrup.  If the balls start to float, take out from the heat, set aside.

Palm sugar syrup  

• Take 2 glasses of hot water from the candil boiling water then pour it into a sauce pan. 
• Add palm sugar, pandan leaf (optional) and salt into the pan until the palm sugar dissolved.

 Candil in palm sugar syrup 

• Sieve the palm sugar syrup back into the candil pan. Simmer (cook over low heat) the mixture for about 20-30 minutes until it reaches the thickness you desire.  Or you can add our thickening agent.
• Remove from the heat after it is thick enough. 

Coconut Milk Sauce

• Put water and canned coconut milk into a saucepan.
• Add salt and pandan leaf (optional) then bring it to boil over medium heat. Stir this mixture throughout the boiling process to have the smooth sauce.
  
  * Optional: If you want this sauce to be thick, add our thickening agent. 
• Remove from heat. 

Serving

• The taste of candil in palm sugar syrup will be richer if you add some of coconut milk sauce in it.
• Enjoy it warm or cool (as you desire)