Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Suman sa Lihiya

Suman sa Lihiya or we can call it Sweet Steamed Rice Cake is a very Pinoy merienda. It brought childhood nostalgia to guests when we served it during our YearEnder party for 2015 at home.

It looks difficult to do but was actually simple once you got the secret ingredient at hand which is the lihiya or Lye Water. Here in Singapore, we were able to purchase it from Sheng Siong Supermarket.

Here's the recipe divided into three parts. The Suman (rice cake), The Sweet Sauce and the Latik.

Ingredients for the Latik:
1 cup Coconut Milk (first pressing)

Procedure for the Latik:
In a skillet on medium heat, bring the coconut milk a boil and until all the liquid has evaporated. When it is starting to solidify and brown, stir for it to cook evenly. The latik should be golden brown or darker before draining all the coconut oil. This will make it crispy which is a good texture in contrast with the sweet sauce and the chewy rice cake.

Ingredients for the Suman:
2 1/2 cups glutinous rice
2 teaspoons Lye Water
3 cups Water
Pinch of Salt
Banana Leaf (for wrapping)

Procedure for the Suman:
1. Soak the glutinous rice in water for 1 hour. Rinse thoroughly and drain well.
2. Add the lye water and a pinch of salt.
3. In a saucepan, bring three cups of water to a boil, then add the glutinous rice mixture. Mix continually until the rice mixture is thick and chewy and the mixture is sticking to the pan.
4. Spoon about 2 tbsp of rice mixture onto a banana leaf. Wrap and secure with a string. You may use the coconut oil from the latik to prevent the suman from sticking to the leaf. I will add flavor too.
5. Steam for an hour.

Ingredients for the Sweet Sauce:
1 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Muscovado Sugar
1 cup Coconut Cream

Procedure for the Sweet Sauce:
In a saucepan on medium heat, mix all the ingredients. Bring to a boil until sauce is thick, creamy and all are incorporated evenly and without lumps.

Served unwrapped, drizzled with sweet sauce and smothered with latik. Makes 6-10 servings depending on the size of the suman.

Enjoy!
Jane


Friday, August 28, 2015

Homemade Avocado Ice Cream


Now this is one of the easiest, simplest ice cream recipe you can follow. It only has only three basic ingredients but it's really creamy and delicious. And above all, it's homemade and healthy! You gotta try this!

Ingredients:
6 ripe avocados
1 small can NestlĂ© Cream or any all-purpose cream
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 can Evaporated Milk (optional) 

Procedure:
1. In a mixing bowl, cut the avocados in half, remove the seeds and spoon out the meat.
2. Pour out the all-purpose cream and the condensed milk.
3. Mix them all together using an electric hand mixer until your preferred consistency (because some like it chunky).
4. Add evaporated milk (or water) if the mixture is too thick.
5. Transfer the mixture in a plastic container with lid and put in the fridge until frozen.

After a few hours, you can now enjoy your yummy dessert!

Jane

Monday, April 28, 2014

Buffet Spread for My Daughter's 5th Birthday


Ashrie celebrated her 5th Birthday yesterday and we hosted a simple dinner for close friends over the weekend. Along with her DIY birthday cake and cupcakes (both from The Icing Room), we served Mashed Potatoes, Pavlova, Baked Honey-Glazed Chicken wrapped in bacon, Seafood Salad Wrap, Roast Beef, and Roast Broccoli and Mushroom with Pine Nuts. All very simple and easy-to-make recipes.

So to my sweetie, Happy Birthday Ashrie! Daddy and I loves you very much!

Cheers!
Jane