[Free Pattern] Kueh Salat Amigurumi Crochet Pattern・钩针编织香兰咖椰糯米糕(沙拉糕)

Next from Part 1 of my local kueh amigurumi project series is the kueh salat amigurumi. Alongside the previously posted ondeh ondeh pattern and kueh lapis sagu pattern, the kueh salat is another popular kueh in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. This traditional, two-layered Malay kueh is also easily recognisable with its green and white layers. Read on for more about the kueh salat or skip to the pattern.

Kueh salat amigurumi, from Nonya/local kueh amigurumi Part 1 (IG post).

The distinctive look of kueh salat comes from its green coconut custard layer and white glutinous rice layer. Coconut milk (santan) is the key ingredient in the kueh salat, like so many of our region's kueh. The coconut custard (kaya) layer is made with pandan, coconut milk and eggs. The white rice layer (pulut) is made with glutinous rice, pandan and coconut milk. Although it looks simple and plain, it is a mouthful of contrasts: salty and sweet, the delicate fragrance and rich creaminess, the soft, creamy, silky custard against the firm, sticky and slightly grainy texture of the rice. A well-made kueh salat is supposed to have creamy smooth custard, and slightly firm but not mushy rice.

Like so many kueh in our region, kueh salat also has a few other names, apparently with some variations between the Malay and Peranakan communities, and minor variations in the custard layer. It is also kueh sarlat or pulut serikaya to the Peranakan community, putri/puteri salat, (kuih/kue) seri muka, kueh serikaya or pulut sekaya to the Malay community. I have an out-of-print cookbook Favourite Cakes and Kuih (Vista Productions, 1978) which refers to it as pulut serimuka. And in Malacca, there is gading galoh to Melaka Peranakans, a variation of this kueh. Are you confused? Me too! That's just...too many names! In Singapore, it's most commonly known as kueh salat. I do find it interesting that its names are either purely descriptive or have pretty meanings. Like the name pulut serikaya is purely descriptive: pulut refers to the rice layer, and serikaya refers to the coconut custard layer (same as kaya). As for pretty names..."putri" or "puteri" is Malay for "princess", and "seri muka" is Malay for "pretty face", the kueh is a pretty face cake or a pretty face princess!

Kueh salat is sometimes referred to as a Nonya kueh, but its origins lie in Malay cuisine, originating from Indonesia and/or Malaysia. Apparently, it was also declared as one of Malaysia's heritage foods some time in 2009. I guess if we were to be precise, it is a Malay kuih that was later adapted by the Peranakans. As Christopher Tan in his The Way of Kueh mentions, kueh salat is iconic to, and a wedding staple in, both the Malay and Peranakan communities. The pulut (rice layer) is all-white in the Malay version, while the Nonya version has pulut that is streaked with blue, from the blue pea flower. Like so many things Nonya. For my kueh salat amigurumi, I made both versions, with the blue pea flower-dyed version as a pattern variation (below).

Kueh salat amigurumi, blue pea flower variation in front, from Nonya/local kueh amigurumi Part 1 (IG post).

Interestingly, according to this post by Alan Goh of Travelling Foodies (aka The Chubby Chef), blue-streaked kueh salat was not served casually in the past due to various taboos observed by Peranakans in the past. Christopher Tan's The Way of Kueh mentions that kueh salat with an all-blue rice layer is for mourning occasions. Green, blue and white colours are traditionally associated with mourning in Peranakan culture.

For a recipe, check out this post on Recipes We Cherish for the recipe from Cooking for the President, this recipe on Travelling Foodies (aka The Chubby Chef), and this recipe by veteran food blogger and home cook Dr Leslie Tay of ieatishootipost. As far as other awesome recipes go, there's the recipe in The Way of Kueh too.

KUEH SALAT AMIGURUMI CROCHET PATTERN

Materials & Tools:
• Yarn - white/off-white, green, light blue, medium blue
• 3mm crochet hook
• Sponge or cardboard or plastic sheet, cut to size
• Stuffing (not needed if using sponge)
• Stitch markers
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Safety eyes, embroidery thread (optional)

For this amigurumi, I used Sirdar Cotton DK No.52 Vanilla, Schachenmayr Catania No.418 Greenery, Scheepjes Catona No.173 Bluebell and No.247 Bluebird.

Abbreviations (US Terms):
R : row or round (as the case may be)
MR : magic ring
ch : chain
cc : change colour
sl st : slip stitch
st(s) : stitch(es)
sc : single crochet
BLO : back loops only
(...) : set of pattern instructions
[...] : total number of sts in row/round

Finished Size:
Approx. 5.7cm × 2.7cm × 3.7cm

Pattern Notes:
• The basic shape, crochet techniques and pattern steps for this amigurumi are the same as those in the kueh lapis sagu amigurumi.
• This pattern starts off with crocheting into the back bumps of a foundation chain. See how to do this in the tutorials by Crochet Arcade and Planet June. Tip: use a slightly larger crochet hook and make the foundation chain a little looser; this will make it easier to crochet into the back bumps, and will prevent the first row from being be too tight once it is done.
• Colour change: The blue pea flower variation of this amigurumi (below) involves colour changes. On the different colour changing methods, see this Interweave post, this Gathered post, and this We Crochet post. On changing colours and the tapestry method, see this tutorial by The Spruce Crafts, this tutorial by Yarnspirations and this tutorial by Lilla Björn.
In this project, I used a hodgepodge of methods, I think tapestry, intarsia and Fair Isle. I've no fixed preference for any colour change technique. My main rationale is to go with whichever one makes sense for the work, and especially if it minimises yardage used 'coz hey, yarn expenses add up!
• Stuffing: For the amigurumi with the all-white bottom, I used plastic sheets recycled from disposable takeout food containers and cotton wadding for the stuffing. But for the one with the blue-streaked bottom, I used kitchen sponge as the stuffing. Each has its pros and cons. The sponge stuffing is easier to cut and insert, but lacks that soft, squishy feeling that stuffed toys have. The stuffing using plastic sheets (cut to size) is more difficult to prep and insert, but it seems to define the amigurumi's corners better. Don't get me started on cotton wadding — omg! please use polyester clusterfill / fiberfill instead. If I didn't feel compelled to avoid wasting the 2 packs I bought from Daiso, I wouldn't be using cotton wadding.
• Feel free to use safety eyes and embroidery thread to give this kueh salat amigurumi cute expressions and kaomoji. Between R10 to R14 would be a good spot.

Kueh salat amigurumi, from Nonya/local kueh amigurumi Part 1 (IG post).

PART 1 - TOP

Using green yarn, work in rows,
R1. Ch 15, then working in the back bumps of the chain from the 2nd ch, 14 sc. [14]
R2-6 (5 rows). Ch 1 and turn, 14 sc. [14]
Ch 1 and work around the sides in closed rounds,
R7. (6 sc into the turning chs, BLO 14 sc) 2 times. [40]
R8-11 (4 rounds). 40 sc. [40]
Change to white / off-white yarn,
R12-16 (5 rounds). 40 sc. [40]
Fasten off, and hide ends.

PART 2 - BASE

Using white or off-white yarn, work in rows,
R1-6 (6 rows). Repeat R1 to R6 of Part 1.
Fasten off, and leave a long tail for sewing.

TO COMPLETE

1. Cut the cardboard / plastic sheet / sponge to size. If using cardboard / plastic, cut 4 or 6 pieces: 2 for the top and bottom, 2 for the larger sides, and if desired, 2 for the narrower sides. If using sponge, cut the sponge to fit the length, width and height of Part 1.
2. Insert the cardboard/plastic pieces for the bottom and sides into Part 1. Stuff firmly. Then place the cardboard/plastic piece for the top over the stuffing. Make sure to hold down the top firmly when sewing. If using sponge, simply insert the sponge into Part 1.
3. Align Part 1 and Part 2, the aligned sides should be 14 sts (length) x 6 sts (width) x 14 sts (length) x 6 sts (width). Pin in place.
4. Using the yarn tail and a yarn needle, join Part 1 and Part 2 together by whip stitching through both loops of Part 1 and the turning chs and the back loops of Part 2.
5. Secure and hide end.

PATTERN VARIATION #1. KUEH SALAT WITH BLUE PEA FLOWER

PART 1 - TOP

R1-11 (6 rows and 5 rounds). Repeat R1 to R11 of Part 1 original pattern above.
Continue working in closed rounds, and note the colour changes (white, light blue, medium blue),
R12. cc white 10 sc, cc light blue 5 sc, cc white 8 sc, cc light blue 8 sc, cc white 5 sc, cc light blue 4 sc. [40]
R13. in light blue 2 sc, cc white 7 sc, cc medium blue 5 sc, cc white 12 sc, cc medium blue 8 sc, cc white 4 sc, cc light blue 2 sc. [40]
R14. cc medium blue 4 sc, cc white 8 sc, cc medium blue 6 sc, cc white 12 sc, cc medium blue 6 sc, cc white 3 sc, cc medium blue 1 sc. [40]
R15. cc white 22 sc, cc medium blue 4 sc, cc white 14 sc. [40]
R16. in white 4 sc, cc light blue 8 sc, cc white 8 sc, cc light blue 5 sc, cc white 4 sc, cc light blue 7 sc, cc white 4 sc. [40]
Fasten off, and weave in ends.

PART 2 - BASE

Repeat Part 2 of original pattern above.
Fasten off, and leave a long tail for sewing.

TO COMPLETE

Complete in the same way as the original pattern above.

Kueh salat amigurumi (blue pea flower variation), from Nonya/local kueh amigurumi Part 1 (IG post).

Hope this heralds a smooth week for y'all.... Again, I've done my best to spot errors and mistakes. However, if there are any, please do let me know by posting a comment. Until next time!

PS: Next will be the will be kueh talam. In terms of appearance, kueh talam and kueh salat are similar, but I'm adding a little change-up to my kueh talam amigurumi. But it may be a while before the next post. With the recent opening of Vaccinated Travel Lanes, Hubs and I will be away from end-November to mid-December. Whoopee~! Time to decide who to bring with.

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Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have fun making this crochet kueh salat. As with all my other patterns, I would love to see how your finished items turned out, so please tag me with my Instagram handle @yotsuba_blythes.

While I'm happy to share my pattern without charge and would be delighted to see it being used, please note that my pattern is for personal use only. Please respect my legal and moral rights as the author with respect to this pattern and all the images herein. This pattern and images are not for commercial use, sale or distribution. The sale of this pattern or any of the images is not permitted without my prior written consent. If you wish to share this pattern, please link to this post and my Instagram profile @yotsuba_blythes. You are welcome to sell limited quantities of the finished items you have made from this pattern.

(This post was edited for broken and erroneous links on 17 January and 16 August 2022.)