Vegetarian Lemper

On New Year's Eve i was at a friend's place and she was serving me these delicious parcels to snack on. Lemper is a Tasty Indonesian snack of usually chicken wrapped in sticky rice. The rice (Ketan) used is sold as "Sticky"or "Glutinous"rice. Although the name might suggest otherwise it contains no gluten but is very rich in starch.They are good eaten at room temperature but even better when they are hot.But because my husband is vegetarian he did not get to try them as they were Chicken Lemper so i have decided to try making vegetarian ones so everyone can enjoy and if you rather use chicken feel free to do so.

Vegetarian Lemper

For rice

2 cups Ketan ( glutinous rice) If possible soak overnight.

( use 2 cups of water or coconut milk with every cup of rice)
i mixed both water and coconut milk

3 pandan leaves, tied to knot

Pinch of salt

Filling

250 gram Quorn vegetarian meat / chicken thigh and breast

1 large red onion 

4 cloves garlic

1 stalk lemongrass

2 kaffir lime leaves

2 tbsp grounded cummin

2 tbsp grounded coriander seeds

250ml coconut milk

Salt to taste

oil

Banana leaves (Optional)

• Drain soaked rice and if you did not do it the night before soak it for an hour before cooking. Put rice in a rice cooker or steamer, add water or coconut milk and cook for 30 minutes.
• Boil the chicken in some water if using chicken,set aside.Finely chop onions,garlic,lemongrass and lime leaves. Heat oil in wok and fry the mixture.
• When fragrant add the vegetarian meat or chicken pieces and the spices, keep frying for 3 minutes and add the coconut milk and cook until the liquid is reduce to almost dry. Leave to cool.
• Place a sheet of banana leaf or cling wrap on the bench and spread out the cool rice to rectangular shape.
• Place a filling mixture in the centre of the rice and roll the rice over like you would for sushi.So that the end result is like a croquette shape with the rice covering the filling on all sides.

  

                                          

• Roll up the Cling wrap or banana leaf and secure with toothpicks or tighten the sides of the cling wrap.
• These parcels can be heated over a barbeque that is if you use banana leaves or steamed for cling wrap and banana leaves for 15 mins, then allow to cool a bit before serving.
• The Lemper can be kept in fridge for up to 2 days or in freezer for longer duration. Best serve with some sambal ulek and kecap manis or sweet chilli sauce for those who do not like it too spicy.