Fragrant Sticky Rice
- 3 banana leaves, thawed (see Note)
- 2 cups Asian short-grain sweet rice, soaked overnight and drained
- 1 cup coconut water
- 2 kaffir lime leaves, chopped, or two 2-inch strips of lime zest
- 1 tender inner bulb of fresh lemongrass stalk, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 green Thai chile, minced
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- Salt
- Fleur de sel, for sprinkling
- Line the lower tier of a large, wide 2-tiered bamboo steamer with 1 banana leaf.
- Spread the soaked rice on the bamboo leaf in an even layer.
- Set the steamer in a wok or skillet over 3 inches of boiling water.
- Cover and steam over moderately high heat for about 10 minutes, until the rice is somewhat softened but still chewy.
- Remove the steamer from the wok.
- Meanwhile, in a blender, puree the coconut water with the lime leaves and lemongrass.
- Strain the coconut water through a fine sieve into a large bowl, pressing on the solids.
- Add the rice to the bowl along with the shredded coconut, chile and sugar and stir well.
- Season with salt.
- Cut the remaining 2 banana leaves into ten 8-inch squares.
- Place about 1/2 cup of rice in the center of each square and press to form 4-inch cakes; fold the leaves over the rice to make square packages.
- Arrange the packages on both tiers of the steamer and return it to the wok.
- Cover and steam over moderately high heat for 12 minutes, until the rice is tender.
- Transfer the packages to a platter.
- Carefully cut them open, sprinkle the rice with fleur de sel and serve.
banana, asian shortgrain, coconut water, lime, stalk, coconut, green thai chile, sugar, salt
Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/fragrant-sticky-rice (may not work)