Lontong [ Rice in Banana leaf ]

I have uploaded another post before on how to cook  lontong without banana leaf, it was fun and easy. Today I finally managed to cook the real lontong with banana leaf! 

Cooking lontong with banana leaf actually isn't as complicated as I thought it would be. It does take a little bit more effort and time, but its all worth it!

Ingredients:

Cooked rice (I prefer medium grain rice like sushi rice)

Banana leaves

1. Wash banana leaf carefully then pat it dry. Be very careful and try not to tear it. Wash it with hot water if necessary, it helps to make the leaf more flexible when folding. 

2. Boil water on a large pan, reduce the heat to minimum when it starts to boil 

3.. Lay a piece of the leaf on a flat surface then spread 1 or 2 cups of cooked rice on one edge of the leaf. 

4. Try to spread the rice even and gently yet tightly roll the banana leaf to make a cylinder shape 

3. Try to pack the rice in the middle of the leaf, push the rice in with the help of a spoon if needed. Gently fold and shut the ends

 

4. Secure the ends using a toothpicks

5. Trim the edges with scissors

6. Put the lontong into the boiling water and let it boil for 1 or two hours. 

7. When its done, take the lontong out from the water and let it cool down. It will get firm when its cool. 

8. Lontong is ready to be served as a perfect side dish for any meal.

Happy cooking!!

PS: I suggest you to roll the rice right away after its cooked. The heat from the rice will soften the leaf and make it easier to fold and decrease the risk of the leaf being torn.