10 Simple, Tasty, and Nutritious Preparation Ideas for Green Chung Cake

Professional Tips for Cooking Green Sticky Rice Cakes

1. Use an Iron Pot to Boil Natural Green Sticky Rice Cakes

For the best results, it is recommended to use an iron pot, also known as a tole pot, when boiling sticky rice cakes. The alkaline environment created by the tole pot helps preserve the natural green color of the dong leaves, resulting in visually appealing cakes.

2. Soak the Sticky Rice in Ash Water

In some households in the Central region, sticky rice is soaked in ash water before cooking. Ash has a mild alkaline property that increases the alkalinity of the rice and results in softer and beautifully green sticky rice cakes.

3. Use Galangal Leaves

Thinly slice and squeeze the juice from galangal leaves. Mix this juice with the sticky rice soaked in ash water. The galangal leaf mixture adds fragrance and makes the sticky rice soft, resulting in vibrant green sticky rice cakes.

4. Use Lemon Juice or Pandan Leaf Water

Add lemon juice or pandan leaf water to the soaked sticky rice. These ingredients create an alkaline environment and contribute to faster cooking and achieving a natural green color for the cakes.

5. Enhance Softness with Baking Soda

To make the sticky rice cakes even softer, add a small amount of baking soda to the mixture. Baking soda can be easily found in baking supply stores or supermarkets, and it is safe to use.

6. Blanch the Banana Leaves in Boiling Water

Prior to wrapping the cakes, blanch the banana leaves in boiling water to make them softer and easier to work with. This process also helps remove any mold or fungi on the leaves, resulting in greener leaves.

7. Thoroughly Wash the Sticky Rice Before Wrapping the Cakes

To enhance the visual appeal and taste of the cakes, wash the sticky rice thoroughly before wrapping. Rinse the rice several times until the water runs clear to remove any dirt or impurities and achieve a beautiful green color.

8. Use Extra Leaves at the Bottom of the Pot

Add extra banana leaves at the bottom and around the inner surface of the pot when cooking the cakes. This serves to protect the cakes from burning and enhances the green color of the cooking water.

9. Rinse the Cakes in Cold Water

10. Use a Heavy Object to Press the Cakes after Cooking

After boiling the cakes, place them on a table and use a cutting board or a heavy object to press and remove excess water. This step makes the cakes firmer and prolongs their shelf life.