Suman is a traditional Filipino steamed rice cake that is made with simple ingredients like sticky rice, coconut milk, sugar and banana leaf. This delicious dessert can be enjoyed on its own or paired with brown sugar, sliced mangoes or even caramel sauce on the side.
Suman Malagkit
One recipe that instantly makes me crave and rush to the kitchen is this suman. The moment I saw it, especially the way it's beautifully wrapped in banana leaf, I knew I had to try it. I waited so long to finally make it, and every bit of that wait was worth it.
About Filipino Suman
Suman, also known as Suman malagkit, is a Filipino steamed rice cake made by cooking glutinous rice in coconut milk and then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until it is fully cooked.
This Filipino suman recipe is very similar to our South Indian kozhukattai recipe or this filipino biko. The method of cooking and steaming is almost the same, but the main difference lies in the rice. Suman is made with sticky rice, which has a chewy and creamy texture compared to regular raw rice used in kozhukattai.
Making suman takes a bit of time and patience, but the result is worth it. The rice becomes creamy with the addition of coconut milk and gives a rich taste. The cooked rice is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. It becomes firm and stays tender inside. The banana leaves add a beautiful aroma that makes it even more tempting.
Suman is a simple, filling and a comforting recipe that is perfect for breakfast, snack or as an after meal dessert. Serve it with sliced ripe mangoes, caramel sauce or enjoy on its own at any time of the day.
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FAQ
Q. What is suman ?
Suman is a traditional Filipino steamed rice cake made with sticky rice, coconut milk, sugar and salt. It is wrapped in banana leaves, steamed and served with slices of mango and brown sugar.
Q. Can I use regular rice instead of sticky rice ?
No, regular rice is not suitable for making suman. Regular rice will become fluffy and fall apart if it is steamed. Whereas, the sticky rice becomes chewy, soft and holds together when cooked.
Q. How long does it take to cook the suman ?
Place the banana wrapped suman inside the steamer basket and steam for around 40 minutes to an hour.
Q. What can I serve it with ?
Well, this dessert can be enjoyed on its own. You can also serve it with sliced mango, brown sugar, condensed milk, chocolate sauce or caramel sauce.
Q. Why is my suman too hard ?
This is due to not adding enough coconut milk or overcooking the rice. Always cook the suman in medium to low heat.
Ingredients
Sticky rice - Sticky rice also known as glutinous rice is the main ingredient for this recipe. I have used around 1 cup of stick rice to make this suman. It becomes soft, chewy when cooked. Regular rice will not work for this recipe.
Coconut milk - I have used 250 ml of coconut milk to cook the sticky rice. This gives the suman its rich creamy taste and texture. Use freshly squeezed coconut milk. If not, use store bought coconut milk or coconut cream.
Sugar - ½ cup of sugar is added to sweeten the rice. Adjust the quantity based on your preference. For a healthy version, substitute with brown sugar for rich color and flavour.
Salt - Salt enhances the overall flavour and balances the taste.
Banana leaf - This is used to wrap and tie the suman.
Expert Tips
- Soaking the rice helps to cook even faster.
- Add some pandan leaves while cooking the sticky rice for extra fragrance.
- Slowly pass the banana leaf over low flame, to soften it.
- Along with sugar, add a tablespoon of condensed milk for more creaminess and sweetness.
- Add a dash of vanilla essence to the rice for a subtle sweet fragrance.
- For flavour variations, add a tablespoon of cocoa powder.
Storage & Serving
Serve this warm filipino suman with a drizzle of caramel sauce, condensed milk or top it off with brown sugar. Along with it serve some fruits like mango or banana.
Store the leftover suman in an airtight container and refrigerate for a week. Reheat using a microwave before serving.
Step by Step Pictures
1)Wash the sticky rice well and soak it in water overnight. The next day, drain the water and keep the rice aside.
2)In a pan, heat coconut milk, sugar.
3)Add in a pinch of salt.
4)Bring the mixture to a boil, then add drained rice.
5)Cook until the rice absorbs all the liquid.
6)Cut banana leaves into small pieces.
7)Pass them over a direct low flame until they soften.
8)Spread the cooked sticky rice evenly on the banana leaf.
9) Roll like a long strip.
10)Fold both sides. Make another roll the same way.
11)Place two rolls together and tie them using a strip of banana leaf.
12)Put the wrapped suman into a steamer.
13)Steam for about 40 minutes to an hour.
14)Remove from the steamer and serve warm with caramel sauce.
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Suman Malagkit (Filipino Steamed Rice Cakes)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Sticky rice
- 250 ml Coconut milk
- ½ cup Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Wash the sticky rice well and soak it in water overnight. The next day, drain the water and keep the rice aside.
- In a pan, heat coconut milk, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then add drained rice. Cook until the rice absorbs all the liquid.
- Cut banana leaves into small pieces and pass them over a direct low flame until they soften. Spread the cooked sticky rice evenly on the banana leaf and roll like a long strip. Make another roll the same way.
- Place two rolls together and tie them using a strip of banana leaf. Put the wrapped suman into a steamer.
- Steam for about 40 minutes to an hour.
- Remove from the steamer and serve warm with caramel sauce.
Nutrition
If you have any questions not covered in this post and if you need help, leave me a comment or mail me @aarthi198689@gmail.com and I'll help as soon as I can.
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