Filipino Style Recipe: Suman sa lihiya(lye) is another popular Filipino delicacy from southern part of Luzon specially in Batangas Region. Like other suman we will use glutinous rice, but we treated the rice with lihiya(lye water) until the color turns to yellowish. Wrap the rice mixture in banana leaves and cook in a boiling water until done then serve with latik sauce.
Estimated time of preparation: 20 minutes(plus soaking time)
Estimated time of cooking: 1-2 hours
Ingredients:
3 cups glutinous rice(malagkit)
1 tablespoon lye water(lihiya)
banana leaves, cleaned and cut into smaller sized(4×5 inch)
banana leaves, cleaned and cut into bigger sized(8×11 inch)
cotton strings or any food-safe string
brown sugar or latik for dipping
Procedures:
Part 1
1. In a bowl, place glutinous rice and water then soak for at least 3 hours.
2. Drain water then pour lye water. Mix well until color turns to yellowish.
Part 2
1. Singe the banana leaves into flames for a few seconds but do not burn. Let it cool then wipe with clean cloth.
Part 3
1. Arrange the bigger leaf(topside down) on a flat surface then place the smaller leaf(topside up) in the center of bigger leaf.
2. Scoop 3 tablespoons of rice mixture on smaller leaf, fold the leaf to wrap the rice mixture.
3. Grab 2 pieces of wrapped rice mixture then tie with folded sides together using cotton string.
Part 4
1. In a big pot, arrange the pieces then pour enough water to cover the wrapped rice mixture.
2. Bring to boil in a low heat for at least 1 1/2 hours or until done.
3. Unwrap then transfer to serving plate. Serve with latik.
For the latik recipe, please visit http://filipinostylerecipe.com/2013/11/latik-sweetened-coconut-sauce/
