Flavorful dips and spreads are some of the greatest gifts I give to myself.

For sweet applications, theres kaya jam.

This queen of coconut condiments pairs well slathered on toast or layered in a cake.

Best of all, its simple enough to make in your home kitchen.

Kaya jam, at its most elemental, is a coconut custard thickened with egg.

The grassy notes and the green color come from a flavorful plant called pandan.

This grass is popular in Southeast Asian cuisine and used as a flavoring in a variety of contexts.

Its described as bright, verdant, and sometimes as giving vanilla-vibes.

(Read herefor more on pandan.)

Depending on where you live, pandan might be available near you.

Check the Asian grocery stores in your area for fresh orfrozen leaves.

you could also orderpandan flavoring productsonline.

If you cant find it, its okay.

The kaya will still taste delightful, if missing the aromatics.

The procedure in the following recipe is nearly identical to making lemon curd.

If youve never done that, read on.

Palm sugar is normally in the baking section or international aisle at the grocery store.

Have the egg yolks in a medium bowl ready with a whisk.

Stir the coconut milk mixture with a rubber spatula.

Slowly add the hot liquid to the eggs, while simultaneously whisking.

This will bring up the temperature without curdling the yolks.

Most often, folks pour slowly directly from the pot, or theyll use a ladle.

Turn the heat back on medium-low to low, and constantly stir the mixture with the rubber spatula.

It will slowly begin to thicken.

Keep the kaya jam well-covered and stored in the fridge for up to a week.

Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula.

Put the egg yolks in a medium bowl, and whisk them to break them up.

Keep the whisk handy.

Turn the burner back on medium-low heat and stir constantly with the rubber spatula.

Pour it through a sieve if you think there are lumps, and into a bowl.

Cover with plastic wrap touching the surface of the kaya jam.

Chill in the fridge until set, about one to three hours.