Suman sa Lihiya
Soft and chewy rice cake wrapped in banana leaves and served with latik sauce.
Servings 22
Calories 140kcal
Cost $6-$8
Equipment
- Large pot (for the suman)
- Small pot (for the sauce)
- Banana leaves cut into 22 large pieces (about 8 x 10 inches) and 22 smaller pieces
- kitchen twine or strips of banana leaf
Ingredients
For the suman
- 3 cups glutinous rice
- 1½ teaspoons lye water
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (use half for table salt)
For the latik sauce
- 1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk
- 10 ounces panutsa or 1½ cups muscovado or brown sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Rinse the rice, then soak it in water mixed with lye water for about 8 hours or overnight. Drain, rinse again, and mix with salt.
- Prepare the banana leaves by wiping them clean, softening them over heat, and removing the thick center rib.
- Place ¼ cup rice on a small banana leaf set over a larger leaf. Wrap the rice, fold into a packet, then pair them together and tie.
- Arrange in a large pot and cover with water. Boil for about 2 hours, adding more hot water as needed to keep the suman submerged.
- For the latik sauce, simmer the coconut milk, panutsa, salt, and vanilla until thickened.
- Let the suman cool slightly, unwrap, and serve with latik sauce.
Notes
- Glutinous rice: Also called sticky rice or sweet rice. Use a good quality glutinous rice for suman that’s soft, sticky, and chewy.
- Lye water: An alkaline water that makes the rice chewier and lightly yellow. Too much can taste bitter.
- Panutsa: A natural, unrefined sugar with a caramel-like sweetness. Muscovado or brown sugar works too.
- Soak overnight: Helps the rice absorb the water and lye water evenly.
- Soften the leaves: Warm banana leaves so they fold without tearing.
- Wrap loosely: Leave room for the rice to expand as it boils.
- Keep submerged: Add hot water as needed to keep the suman covered.
- Store in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months. Keep latik sauce separate in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Steam or boil in the wrapper until warm. If microwaving, heat in short bursts just until warm to keep it sticky and chewy. Warm the latik sauce separately.
Nutrition
Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 20mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg