Suman

 

What was your favorite snack after-school?  Mine was Suman.  This is a rice cake the is steamed.  I was lucky to make my maternal grandmother or The Lola staying with us when I was growing up.  She was a wonderful cook.  I completely regretted that I didn't learn to cook from her.  I was a bit stubborn growing up.  As children both myself and The Brother was allergic to almost everything.  We were so limited what we were allowed to eat.  Suman was one of those things we were able to eat.  I found myself craving this recently.  It has been years since I had it so I figured I'll whip up batch.  Keep in mind the measurements and ingredients are up to taste.  The beauty of this snack is the ability to be as diverse as you would like.  I have yet to try chocolate or ube version but I may try soon. 

 

Ingredients

1 Cup of Sweet rice to 1/4 Can of Coconut Milk

1/4 Cup of sugar to 1 Cup depending on how sweet you like this. 

A pinch of Salt

Water *this ratio is 1 cup to 0.75 cups of water

Banana leaves

Please keep in mind, all measurements is up to your taste.

 

Direction

1. Cook the rice as you normally do.  I use a rice cooker so wash the rice very well and than add the water and rice to the rice cooker.
2. Once the rice is cooked, remove it from the rice cooker and place in a large skillet *A larger surface area will make it easier to mix and cook the suman.
3. Add the coconut milk, salt, and sugar.    
4. Mix until it is well incorporate.  It should have a nice shine to the rice.  *BTW this is probably oil from the coconut milk
5. I generally let it cool.
6. Take the steamer and fill the bottom pan (if you have a metal one) or wok (if you have a bamboo one) with water and bring to a boil.
7. While the mixture is cooking, start cutting up the banana leaves to the desired
8. Once the mixture is cool, place it in the middle of the cut banana leaves
9. Start rolling them up, I generally get The Husband to do this.  Mainly because he is meticulous to a fault. 
10. Place this in a steamer tray and cook for 10-15 minutes
11. Serve * I generally eat this with mango :D 

 

This is The Daughters favorite food.  Especially since it is rice with sugar.  Keep in mind, you could mix any other ingredients to make your own version.  The banana leaves aren't always required but it adds a nice flavor to the dish.