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Faikakai topai
Tongan dumplings in thick caramel coconut syrup
Faikakai topai is a much-loved Tongan pudding, served at Sunday feasts and family celebrations in Nuku'alofa and in Tongan communities from Auckland to Utah. Simple flour dumplings are boiled, then smothered in a thick, toffee-like syrup of caramelised sugar and coconut cream called lolo. It is very sweet and best eaten warm. A common mistake is pulling the caramel off the heat too pale; let it turn a deep amber before adding the coconut cream. Chef's tip: roll the dumplings thin and flat so they cook quickly and soak up more syrup.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
For the dumplings
- 9 oz plain flour
- 1 pinch salt
- ½ cup water
For the syrup
- 7 oz sugar
- 1 ¾ cups coconut cream
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Mix 9 oz plain flour and 1 pinch salt with ½ cup water to a firm dough. Knead for 2 minutes until smooth.
5 minStep 2: Pinch off walnut-sized pieces and flatten each into a disc about 5 mm thick.
5 minStep 3: Drop into a large pan of boiling water and cook for 6–8 minutes, until they float and are cooked through when cut. Drain.
8 minStep 4: Melt 7 oz sugar in a heavy pan over a medium heat, swirling, until it turns deep amber. Carefully pour in 1 ¾ cups coconut cream; it will bubble and spit. Stir and simmer for 4–5 minutes until smooth and thick.
8 minStep 5: Add the dumplings to the syrup, toss to coat and serve warm.
3 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 450 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 72 g
- Fat
- 16 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does faikakai topai take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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