Pandan Rice Cake

This holiday season, why not put aside steamed pudding and try steamed cake instead? This Thai dessert is low in both sugar and fat. Made with heart-healthy coconut milk (which actually lowers your cholesterol), this cake will make you feel good, not guilty! The rich green color does not come from food coloring, but from the pandan plant, a type of herb that grows in Southeast-Asia. Like the vanilla bean, pandan paste also adds a sweet and unique flavor to the cake. It is readily available at most Asian food stores and is a great substitute for food coloring in all of your holiday desserts. (photo by D. Schmidt)