Suman
Philippines
Suman Sa Ibos (Philippine Rice Dessert)
Suman Sa Ibos, iphone photo by JMorton
Suman Sa Ibos, iphone photo by JMorton
I suddenly have this urging to eat suman; suman sa ibos in particular.
Thank goodness, I still have a few stored in the freezer.
I did not make the suman from scratch. I bought them from our local oriental food shop here in North West London.
I hear you ask if I do make them if I have the time?
Well, no for so many reasons. But the first and foremost excuse🤣 in my part is that I would not know where to avail buri leaves for the special wrapper (see photo opposite!) here in the UK.
Buri leaves are from palm trees just like coconut and betle nut trees. I don’t know who grows coconut or betle nut here in the UK. Perhaps, the Kew Garden does but I am not prepared to go traipsing to Richmond for the Buri leaves. Mind you a visit to Kew Garden is a real treat for this summer holiday. Make a day out of it, so much to see and explore, a real adventure for the kids.
I digress🤣.
Suman sa ibos is widely available in Filipino/Oriental shops. Look in the freezer section amongst other suman wrapped in banana leaves. Reference the opposite photo when you go shopping🤗
To prepare the frozen suman, it is best to steam it for 20 to 30 minutes.
The suman is bland by itself. Though bland, it has a distinctive flavour and stickiness gotten from the wrap which is quite appetising.
Unwrap the suman then eat dipped first in some sugar or drizzle it with honey, chocolate syrup, maple syrup or anything you fancy.
To eat it like a Filipino, the best way, is not to completely unwrap the suman so you can hold on to it to dunk on your favourite dip. Unwrap the leaf as you go along.
Enjoy this treat.