Lemper ayam (rice filled with chicken w/ banana leaves wraps.

I went to a volunteer gathering recently and bring this lemper ayam. The green wraps made from banana leaves attracted some questions from fellow volunteers. Some asked what are the greens? how can I find it in the US, while others asked if the banana leaves are edible. It turned out that one of my friend eat the leaves as well and she said," well it still taste delicious :)))"

Here is how to make 40 pieces of lemper ayam (the number of pieces is depends on how small or big you cut the lemper at the end)

Ingredients:

3 cups sweet rice
1.5 canned coconut oil
3 cups water
1 stalk lemon grass; bruised
2 tsp salt

Chicken fillings
a pair of chicken breasts' medium size: boiled
4 shallots
6 garlics
10 candle nut
5 pcs of keffir lime leaves
1 bay leaves
2 tbs ground corriander
1 tbs ground cumin
1/2 can coconut milk
3tbs vegetable oil
2 tbs sugar
1/3 cups of warm water with 1 tsp tamarind

Banana leaves to wrap the lemper

Directions:

First,  prepare the rice:
1. Wash the rice and drained
2. Boil the coconut milk, lemon grass and the water then add the rice in, stir till the water runs out
3. Put the rice onto rice steamer and cooked till the rice done


Second, prepare the filling:

1. Ground the ingredients, chopped the keffir lime leaves
2. Heat the oil, stir fry the ground ingredients then add the bay leaves, keffir lime leaves, corriander, tamarind, cumin and sugar and salt.
3. Add the chicken and stir in the coconut milk, keep stirring till the liquid runs out.
4. Turn off the stove and let the mix rest

Meanwhile, prepare the banana leaves, wipe with cloth then cut into small pieces appx 5-6 cm each and cut both end to make it easy to roll them.

Third, let's do the wrapping, here is how to do it:

1. Divide the rice into two parts
2. Put the first part into a square pan and make the first layer
3. Then put on the filling
4. Put the rest of the rice on the next layer
5. Make sure that the spread is equal and tight; if necessary pressed with hand by using a piece of banana leaves
6. Cut the layer into any size you want, then scoop one piece
7. Put it onto banana leave peace and roll it. Do the same to the rest of the layers
8. Selamat makan!