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Burasa
Coconut rice cakes in banana leaf
Bugis coconut-milk rice cakes wrapped in banana leaves for Lebaran
Burasa is the Lebaran rice cake of the Bugis and Makassar people of South Sulawesi: rice half-cooked in salted coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves, tied in pairs and boiled for hours until it sets firm and rich. On Eid morning it is sliced and eaten with coto Makassar, opor or a spicy beef dish, and it travels well for visits to relatives. Chef's tip: wrap the parcels only half full and tie them firmly, because the rice swells and a full parcel bursts open in the pot.
- Total time
- 240 min
- Difficulty
- hard
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
For the rice
- 1 ⅛ lb long-grain ricewashed
- 3 ¼ cups coconut milk
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 pandan leafknotted
To wrap
- 8 banana leavesabout 25 x 30 cm, wiped
- 1 kitchen stringor strips of banana leaf
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Simmer 3 ¼ cups coconut milk with 2 tsp salt and 1 pandan leaf in a heavy pan, stirring. Add the 1 ⅛ lb long-grain rice and cook over a low heat, stirring often, for 12–15 minutes until all the milk is absorbed and the rice is half-cooked but still firm in the centre.
15 minStep 2: Leave the rice to cool until you can handle it. Soften the 8 banana leaves briefly over a flame or in hot water so they fold without splitting.
10 minStep 3: Spread 2 heaped tablespoons of rice in a flat band on each leaf, fold the long sides over to make a flat parcel about 2 cm thick and fold the ends under. Tie two parcels together face to face with 1 kitchen string. A common mistake is overfilling: the parcels should feel only half full.
30 minStep 4: Stand the bundles in a large pot, cover with boiling water and boil for 3 hours, topping up with boiling water so they stay submerged.
180 minStep 5: Lift out, drain and cool completely; the rice is done when it is firm and sliceable, with no hard grains. Unwrap and slice to serve; burasa keeps 2 days at room temperature or 4 days in the fridge.
60 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 50 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does burasa take?
- About 240 minutes in total: 60 minutes to prepare and 180 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of long-grain rice?
- Any long-grain rice, same amount.
- What can I use instead of coconut milk?
- Single cream, same amount (not dairy free).
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Perfect for:Eid