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sticky rice on banana leaves
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5 from 2 votes

Suman Sa Lihiya

This suman sa lihiya recipe is a basic variation. Glutinous rice is soaked in water for several hours before putting-in a portion of lye water and wrapping each serving in soft banana leaves. 
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 10 minutes
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Filipino
Keyword: rice cake, suman, suman bulagta, suman sa lihiya
Servings: 4 servings
Calories:
Author: Mia

Ingredients

For Suman

  • 3 cups glutinous rice
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 ½ tsp lye water lihiya
  • 1 tsp salt

For Latik (coconut curd)

  • 2 cups coconut cream/milk

Instructions

For making suman

  • Place the glutinous rice in a mixing bowl then pour-in water, lye-water, and salt. Stir and soak overnight. Note: Do not exceed the measurement for lye water.
  • Drain excess water from the mixing bowl then rinse the rice thoroughly. It's quite normal that the rice will turn into a yellowish color. Set aside
  • Prepare the banana leaves. If you're using fresh banana leaves, directly heat over fire for a short time. This releases the natural aroma of the leaf and makes it more flexible. If you are using fresh frozen banana leaves, wash it in warm water. You’ll need a pair of leaves per serving. The bigger leaf should measure about 12 by 10 inches while the smaller is 4 by 5 inches.
  • Arrange the banana leaves by laying down the larger leaf first in a flat surface then place the smaller leaf in the center of the larger leaf.
  • Scoop about 3 tbsp of the rice mixture and place it over the smaller leaf. Fold the smaller leaf first to secure the rice then fold the larger leaf. Repeat the process until you finish all the rice.
  • Stack up two of the suman and tie with with a kitchen twine. NOTE: Tie them firmly so the will not come loose when boiling.
  • Arrange the un-cooked suman in a cooking pot then pour-in enough water to cover them.
  • Turn-on heat then let boil. Simmer cook for 1 ½ hours.
  • Remove from the pot and transfer them in a serving dish. Serve with Latik (coconut milk curd), sugar and dried coconut flakes. Bon Appetit!

Preparing the latik (coconut milk curd)

  • You can do this while cooking the suman. Pour coconut milk in a pan. Over medium heat, bring to a boil until it curdles and turn into curds.
  • Transfer in a bowl and set aside.

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