Serradura

Serradura (Portuguese pronunciation: [sɐʁɐˈduɾɐ]), also known as sawdust pudding or Macau pudding, is a well-known Portuguese dessert, popular in both Portugal and Macau (a former Portuguese colony in China),[1] as well as Goa (a former Portuguese colony in India), with a layered appearance alternating between whipped cream and crumbled Marie biscuit.

The name serradura is a Portuguese word for “sawdust”, which refers to the way the biscuits look in the pudding, as they are crushed very fine into crumbs.

Serradura
Alternative namesSawdust pudding, Macau pudding
TypePudding
CourseDessert
Place of originPortugal
Associated cuisinePortuguese cuisine, Macanese cuisine
Serving temperatureCold
Main ingredientsWhipped cream, condensed milk, Marie biscuit, vanilla extract
Serradura
Chinese name
Chinese1. 木糠布丁
2. 木糠布甸
Literal meaningSawdust pudding
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinMùkāng bùdīng
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpingmuk hong bo ding
IPAmuk9 hɔŋ1 bou3 diŋ1
Portuguese name
PortugueseSerradura

Origin and history

Serradura is a dessert originated in Portugal, which became famous in Macau. It is a very common dessert that can be easily found in different restaurants and bakeries in Macau, which is why Serradura is chosen as one of the must-try foods of Macau.[2]

Serradura was introduced to Macau during a time when Macau was under the colonial rule of Portugal. It can also be found in Hong Kong, in Goa, India (former Portuguese colony), and various Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries.

Varieties

Flavours

Traditionally, Serradura was in the flavour of tea biscuits, also known as Marie biscuits, and whipped cream.[3] Later on, it has been developed into many different flavours, including Oreo, coffee beans, nuts, green tea, and so on,[4] by varying on the cream or the biscuits crumbs. For the sawdust, some recipes use biscuits or powder to mix with Marie biscuits or even replace it. As for the variation on the cream, some recipes may add different flavourings to the cream to create other taste such as chocolate, strawberry, green tea etc.[5]

Form

In terms of the form that Serradura is served, it usually comes in two types, cake or pudding. The cake type Serradura is frozen into a harder state so that the texture of it is a bit like ice-cream. For the pudding style, it is also frozen but with a higher temperature, so that the cream solidify to a lower level to create a creamy texture.

Recipe

Serradura is quite easy to make, and only a few ingredients are needed. Condensed milk, Marie biscuit crumbs and whipping cream are the most common ingredients of Serradura, but sometimes thick cream would be used to replace whipping cream. Spread the whisked cream and the biscuits crumbs into a container alternately, after condensation in fridge for five to six hours, the dessert can be served.

As Serradura is more common and popular nowadays, people started to create new flavors, like green tea, chocolate, and Oreo flavors. To add different flavors into Serradura, green tea powder, vanilla extract or any other flavors can be added into the cream. Then, whisk them together. Another way to make some changes according to individual preferences, is to replace the Marie biscuits with other biscuits, such as Oreo.[6]

Famous Shops

In Macau

Serrdura

Serradura in a Portuguese restaurant in Macau

Serrdura is a Macau chain store selling cakes, sorbets, and serradura. The first retail store opened in May 2003. Currently, there are 3 branches in Macau. The store name Serrdura originated from the name of the Portuguese dessert, Serradura. Serradura is the signature dish of the store. The flavours of Serradura provided in the store include original, cookie, mango, durian, coffee, mango green tea, rocky road, and chocolate flavours.[7]

Gelatina Mok Yi Kei

Gelatina Mok Yi Kei is a dessert store that has operated for over 80 years. It was a roadside food stand selling toast at first.[8] Now, it is located on the Cunha street in Vila da Taipa. The store is well known for durian ice cream and serradura.[2][9] It also sells puddings, jellies, and mango pomelo sago.

In Hong Kong

LIS Café

LIS Café is a restaurant offering both Asian and Western dishes. It is located in the L’hotel Island South, a hotel in Aberdeen of Hong Kong. Serradura is one of the signature dishes of the café. It was described as “the best interpretation of serradura ever” by the HK Magazine on Oct 25, 2011.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Macanese Cuisine & Recipes - Serradura" (in French). Macao Government Tourism Office. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  2. ^ a b "10 must-try Macau foods". CNN Travel. 12 November 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  3. ^ "Then & Now - Historically a Place Where East meets West, Macau's Unique Colonial and Trading Past Continues to Inform its Present > Cuisine". BBC Travel. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  4. ^ "Serrdura 木糠布甸". Serradura 沙度娜 (in Chinese). Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  5. ^ Ng, Kelly (16 Jun 2008). 假日鮮食譜 Kelly’s Fusionology (in Chinese). Hong Kong: Wan Li Book Co. ISBN 9789621437686.
  6. ^ "Recipe for Serradura (in Chinese)" (PDF).
  7. ^ "Serrdura 沙度娜" (in Chinese). Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  8. ^ "澳門美食 - 莫義記 (Macau Food - Gelatina Mok Yi Kei)". Ggogo (in Chinese). Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  9. ^ "Gelatina Mok Yi Kei". Metropolasia. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  10. ^ Wong, Adele. "The Best Serradura is at LIS Bar & Cafe". HK Magazine. Retrieved 26 March 2016.