Fragrant Sticky Rice

Name: Fragrant Sticky Rice
Ingredients: 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

10 ingredients

15 steps

Ingredients

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

Directions

1

Line the lower tier of a large, wide 2-tiered bamboo steamer with 1 banana leaf.
2

Spread the soaked rice on the bamboo leaf in an even layer.
3

Set the steamer in a wok or skillet over 3 inches of boiling water.
4

Cover and steam over moderately high heat for about 10 minutes, until the rice is somewhat softened but still chewy.
5

Remove the steamer from the wok.
6

Meanwhile, in a blender, puree the coconut water with the lime leaves and lemongrass.
7

Strain the coconut water through a fine sieve into a large bowl, pressing on the solids.
8

Add the rice to the bowl along with the shredded coconut, chile and sugar and stir well.
9

Season with salt.
10

Cut the remaining 2 banana leaves into ten 8-inch squares.
11

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.
12

Arrange the packages on both tiers of the steamer and return it to the wok.
13

Cover and steam over moderately high heat for 12 minutes, until the rice is tender.
14

Transfer the packages to a platter.
15

Carefully cut them open, sprinkle the rice with fleur de sel and serve.