Suman Sa Lihiya Pinoy Recipe
This yummy Suman Sa Lihiya is a favorite dessert among Filipinos served with hot coffee or chocolate.
Suman Sa Lihiya Ingredients:
1 k malagkit na bigas (glutinous rice)
1 tsp lihiya (lye water)
banana leaves
cotton strings
Suman Sa Lihiya Cooking Instructions:
1. Soak the glutinous rice in water for about 1-2 hours. Drain and mix in the lye water. This will turn rice into a yellowish color (yellow color would depend on the strength of the lye water. Add more lye water slowly until the desired yellow color is achieved). Mix well.
2. Cut or separate banana leaves into two sizes (approximately one 9×11 inch size and the other 5×5 inches.
3. Put the big sized leaf lengthwise on a flat working surface (topside down) then put the smaller leaf on top of it (topside up and aligned either same as the bigger piece or positioned with the one of the corners pointing to the narrow side of the larger piece. Place about 3 tablespoonfuls of the glutinous rice mixture on the smaller piece of the leaf.
4. Grab the 2 long sides of the bigger piece and bring them together. Fold or roll that side to enclose the rice and to create a long and narrow rectangular shape. Fold the lower part of the leaf towards the center.
5. Firmly hold the folded end of the leaves, put it upright and tap it on the table to pack the rice in. If needed, add more rice through the open end. Fold the top end towards the center. You should have a parcel of about 5×2 inches in size.
6. Do the same procedure to complete a pair of suman. Put the suman together with the folded sides facing each other. Using thin cotton strings, tie the two ends tightly together.
7. Place the packed pieces in a big pot and fill with water until the suman is completely submerged. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 1 1/2 hours. Serve warm or cold with grated coconut and sugar or latik. You can also serve topped with butter or margarine.
