Khao tom Mad (Steamed Sticky Rice Pouches with Filling)

This steamed sticky rice pouches with filling or Thai called "Khao Tom Mad" is easy to miss in the market, this dessert is sold all bundled up in a steamed banana leaf which is ingeniously tied with "string" made of shaved bamboo. Hiding inside is some delicious Thai sweet sticky rice with a filling that includes of banana, black bean or tarot.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 2/3 cups sweet (glutinous) rice
• 2 cups coconut cream
• 4 tbsp sugar
• pinch of salt
• 8 ounces dried black beans
• 4 small bananas halved
• 8 pieces banana leaf (if you use aluminum foil 6"x10")

PREPARATION:

• Soak the glutinous rice in water overnight, then drain.
• If you want to included the black beans soak them overnight also and boil until soft.
• Combine coconut cream, sugar and salt in a separate bowl and stir until ingreidnts absorbed.
• Put all of the drained rice in a nonstick pan on low heat, and very slowly add the coconut cream mixture while stirring with a wooden spoon.
• Keep stirring over simmering heat until the rice is tender and all of the coconut milk is absorbed.
• This may take up to one hour, be patient and make sure the coconut milk is absorbed. Let it cool.
• Put a small amount of rice on a banana leaf.
• Place a banana on top, cover with more rice and black beans
• Then fold up the leaf and tie securely.
• Repeat until all bananas are used up.
• Steam around 20 minutes.
• Take out from the heat, leave it cool.
• Than unwrap and serve.