Khao tom mat (banana sticky rice parcels)
ข้าวต้มมัด · coconut sticky rice and banana steamed in banana leaf
Before dawn on Buddhist holy days and during Ok Phansa at the end of the rains retreat, families in central Thailand tie bundles of these parcels in pairs to give to monks on their alms round. Inside the leaf, glutinous rice cooked first in coconut milk wraps around half a small banana and a few black beans, then steams until the banana turns pink and jammy. Eat them warm or at room temperature for breakfast. Chef's tip: wrapping too tightly is the common mistake; the rice swells as it steams, so leave a little room or the parcels burst.
- Total time
- 120 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
- 10 ½ oz glutinous ricesoaked for at least 4 hours, drained
- 1 ¾ cups coconut milk
- 2 ⅛ oz sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 ⅛ oz cooked black beanssmall black turtle beans, drained
- 4 small bananasnamwa, peeled and halved lengthways
- 8 banana leaves25 × 20 cm pieces, wiped and softened over a flame, plus string
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Warm 1 ¾ cups coconut milk with 2 ⅛ oz sugar and 1 tsp salt in a wide pan over a medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
3 minStep 2: Add the drained 10 ½ oz glutinous rice and cook, stirring constantly, until it has absorbed the milk and is sticky and half-cooked, still firm at the centre, about 10 minutes. Stir in 2 ⅛ oz cooked black beans and leave to cool enough to handle.
10 minStep 3: Lay two pieces of 8 banana leaves crossways, shiny side up. Spread 2 heaped tablespoons of rice in the middle, lay a piece of 4 small bananas on it cut side down and cover with another spoonful of rice.
20 minStep 4: Fold the long sides over, then the ends underneath, to make a neat oblong parcel. Pair two parcels face to face and tie them together with string. Repeat with the rest.
15 minStep 5: Steam over boiling water on a medium-high heat until the rice is soft right through and the banana has turned rosy, about 60 minutes. Top up the steamer with boiling water as needed.
60 minStep 6: Rest for 10 minutes before unwrapping. They keep for 2 days at room temperature in cool weather, or 4 days chilled; re-steam for 10 minutes.
10 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 300 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 49 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does khao tom mat (banana sticky rice parcels) take?
- About 120 minutes in total: 45 minutes to prepare and 75 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 glutinous 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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