Suman sa Lihiya Recipe

Filipino Native Food 

Recipe: Suman sa Lihiya 

Filipino Native Delicacies 

What is a lihiya (lye)?
An alkaline substance used in cooking to improve the texture and flavor.

http://foodamn.com/
Suman sa Lihiya (Merl's)

Main Ingredients: 
2.5 cups malagkit rice
2 teaspoons lihiya
wilted banana leaves

Sauce:
3 cups coconut milk
half cup galapong
half cup coconut milk
1.5 cups brown sugar or panocha

Procedure:
Rinse malagkit rice at least three times. Soak in water for 20 minutes, drain.
Add lihiya, stir to blend.
Wrap in desired shapes (square or rectangle) using banana leaves. Tie in pairs.

Arrange some banana leaves at the bottom of a  big pot. Piled the wrapped suman over it and  cover with another batch of banana leaves o top.
Pour enough water to cover the suman and boil.
Cook for 45 minutes until cook.

Sauce preparation:
In a saucepan, pour 3 cups of coconut milk and boil for 10 minutes with continuos stirring.
Dissolve galapong in remaining milk and add to the boiling coconut milk.
Add sugar or panocha, cook until thick.

Serving suggestion:
Top each suman sa lihiya with sauce, alternatively some bought a ready-made coconut jam instead of making do-it-yourself sauce.