Work top to bottom — prep ahead while timers run
Gather everything first, then follow the steps
Protein· 1
- 1 egg (55 g)55g
Carbs· 2
- 2 slices wholemeal bread (60 g)60g
- 5 g chia seeds (1 tsp)5g
Vegetables· 1
- 1 small pandan leaf (knotted)3g
Sauces· 1
- 20 g lite coconut milk (~1½ tbsp)20g
Spices· 1
- 6 g sugar (1½ tsp)(staple)6g
- 2 min · hands-free
In a small saucepan, warm the lite coconut milk, sugar, 3 tbsp water and the pandan knot over low heat until it just steams and the sugar dissolves, about 2 min, then turn off the heat.
Why? Old-style kaya slow-cooks lots of coconut milk, sugar and egg — heavy on fat and sugar. We use just a little lite coconut milk and pandan for aroma, with only 1½ tsp sugar: sweet enough without being cloying.Tip: Tie the pandan leaf in a knot before adding it — it releases aroma better and is easy to fish out at the end.
02:00Next up:Remove the pandan knot, stir the chia seeds into the warm mixture, and let it sit for 5 min to set into a soft, spreadable kaya.
Remove the pandan knot, stir the chia seeds into the warm mixture, and let it sit for 5 min to set into a soft, spreadable kaya.
Why? Chia seeds form a natural gel as they absorb liquid, thickening the kaya — so you skip the extra eggs and sugar the traditional method uses to thicken, and gain fibre instead.Tip: Stir a few more times for a smoother spread, or leave the seeds whole if you like a little texture.
Next up:Meanwhile, bring a small pot of water to a boil, lower in a room-temperature egg and cook over medium heat for 6 min; dunk in cold water, then peel — that's your soft-boiled egg.
- 6 min · hands-free
Meanwhile, bring a small pot of water to a boil, lower in a room-temperature egg and cook over medium heat for 6 min; dunk in cold water, then peel — that's your soft-boiled egg.
Why? One egg adds about 7 g of protein, giving this sweet breakfast some staying power — it steadies blood sugar so you don't crash and feel hungry again soon after.Watch out: A soft-boiled yolk is not fully cooked; if you're pregnant, feeding young children or immune-compromised, cook 2–3 min longer until firm.06:00Next up:Toast the bread until golden and crisp, spread with the pandan kaya, cut in halves, and serve with the soft-boiled egg alongside.
Toast the bread until golden and crisp, spread with the pandan kaya, cut in halves, and serve with the soft-boiled egg alongside.
Why? Wholemeal bread has more fibre and digests slower, keeping you full longer than white bread; skip the butter — the kaya's coconut aroma carries the flavour on its own.Tip: Crack the egg into a small bowl with a splash of soy and a pinch of white pepper, then dip the toast in — proper kopitiam style.