Brilio.net - Lontong is a traditional dish that is popular in various regions in Indonesia. Made from rice steamed in banana leaf rolls, lontong is often served as an accompaniment to various dishes, ranging from sayur lodeh, opor ayam , gulai, to satay. Its deliciousness and chewy texture make lontong the right choice to complement the taste of the main dish.
The history of lontong can be traced back centuries. According to historical records, lontong has been around since the Majapahit Kingdom in the 14th century. At that time, lontong was known as "rukti" which means "rice wrapped in leaves". As time goes by, lontong has become increasingly popular and has become an inseparable dish from Indonesian culinary culture.
The main ingredient for making lontong is rice, which is cooked with water until half cooked, then compacted and wrapped in banana leaves. Banana leaves are chosen because of their ability to provide a distinctive, appetizing aroma. In addition, banana leaves also play a role in maintaining the moisture of lontong during the cooking process, resulting in a soft and chewy texture.
Banana leaf lontong is popular because of its authentic taste and the aroma of banana leaves that adds to its deliciousness. However, making the perfect banana leaf lontong can be a challenge. Some common problems that are often faced include broken lontong, hard or too soft texture, and long cooking time.
So, if you want to make banana leaf lontong that cooks quickly, is soft and never fails, check out these five tricks:
1. Choose quality sticky rice.
The first key to making delicious and soft banana leaf lontong is choosing the right rice. Choose high-quality soft rice, such as IR 64 rice or Rojolele rice. Soft rice will produce a chewier lontong texture that is not easily broken.
2. Soak the rice before cooking.
Before cooking rice, soak it first for 2-3 hours. This soaking aims to soften the texture of the rice and shorten the cooking time. After soaking, drain the rice until the water is reduced.
3. Add coconut milk for aroma and deliciousness.
To add aroma and deliciousness to lontong, add coconut milk when cooking rice. The right ratio is 1 part rice and 2 parts water and coconut milk mixture. Stir until the rice is half cooked, then wrap it in banana leaves.
4. Wrap in fresh banana leaves.
Choose fresh and untorn banana leaves to wrap the lontong. Fresh banana leaves will give a more fragrant aroma and prevent the lontong from breaking when steamed. Wrap the half-cooked rice tightly, then tie it with string or pin it with a skewer.
5. Use medium heat and steam until cooked.
When steaming lontong, make sure the water in the steamer is boiling and use medium heat. Steam the lontong for 30-40 minutes until perfectly cooked. Don't forget to add water if needed so that the lontong doesn't burn.
How to store banana leaf lontong so that it lasts for 2-3 days.
To keep banana leaf lontong fresh and not easily stale, here are the complete and correct storage steps:
1. Cool the lontong completely.
Once cooked, let the lontong cool at room temperature. Do not put it in the refrigerator while it is hot, because the water vapor from the lontong can cause condensation which accelerates decay.
2. Use an airtight container or plastic.
Store lontong in an airtight container or wrap it in plastic wrap to avoid direct contact with air and prevent contamination. Alternatively, lontong can also be placed in a tight plastic bag.
3. Put it in the refrigerator.
Put the lontong in the refrigerator, not the freezer, at a temperature of around 25C. Storing it in the refrigerator will extend the life of the lontong by 23 days. If stored in the freezer, the lontong can last longer, but the texture may change after being reheated.
4. Heat before serving.
When ready to eat, remove the lontong from the refrigerator and steam it again for 10-15 minutes until it is warm and chewy. This will also restore the distinctive aroma of banana leaf lontong.
5. Avoid storing with strong-smelling materials.
Make sure that lontong is not stored with other ingredients that have a strong odor, such as durian or salted fish, because lontong can absorb these aromas.
How to deal with broken or immature rice cakes.
Sometimes, banana leaf lontong can break when cooked or the texture is not perfect. Here are tips to overcome this:
- If it breaks when boiled:
Use wider banana leaves and tie the ends tightly with raffia string. If it breaks, you can rewrap the lontong with fresh banana leaves and steam it again.
- If the lontong is not fully cooked:
Cut the lontong into smaller pieces and steam again for 1020 minutes. This will help the lontong cook evenly without becoming mushy.
- To prevent breakage:
Do not over-pack the rice when wrapping the lontong, as the pressure during cooking can cause the banana leaves to tear.
By following these additional storage steps and tricks, banana leaf lontong will remain fresh, delicious, and ready to be enjoyed at any time.