Mut Dua (Candied Coconut Ribbons) Tet Recipe

Mut Dua (Candied Coconut Ribbons) Tet Recipe

Ingredients:
2 Dry White Coconuts
3 cups Sugar
Vanilla Sugar
1/2 tsp. Alum (crystal or powder)
Food Coloring (optional)


Open 2 Dry White Coconuts.  One way to open it up is by holding it like.  Using the back of a cleaver and hit the middle section of the coconut.
Turn the coconut while hitting it to create a crack in the middle. Place a bowl underneath for the coconut water.
Once it starts to crack, using the tip of the cleaver pry it open.
To remove the meat, use a spoon end and pry around the meat to remove it from the shell.  Be careful not to crack or break it.
When you get the meat to pop out of the shell. Continue to do the same to the rest of the coconuts.
Now that you have the coconut meat out, you want to remove the brownish outer layer by using a peeler. Put into a bowl and do the same to the rest of the coconuts.
Rinse the coconut meat to remove any brown specks that may still stick to the coconut. Set it aside and let it air dry for a few minutes.
Peel the edge to make it look like a ribbon.  Continue to peel into a large bowl until you are done.

Dissolve 1/2 tsp. Alum then pour it into a large bowl of water. Add in the coconut ribbons.  The alum will whiten the coconut meat, mix for about 1 minute.
Drain out the water.  Wash and rinse the coconut a few times. Boil some water and put in the coconut.  Let it boil for about 1-2 minutes.  Drain out the water and let it air dry for about 15 minutes.
Divide the coconut into three equal portions.  Add 1 cup of Sugar to each bowl. Add in the food coloring to which ever bowl you want. Mix until it is evenly coated.

In a clean pan add in one of the coconut bowl and cook on medium heat until it crystallize. Add in a pinch of Vanilla Sugar. Remove from heat and put on paper towel to cool.  Repeat with the other colors.
Scoop the candied coconut ribbons onto a plate and serve with some tea along with other Lunar New Year treats.