Prepare for a culinary adventure with this vibrant and flavorful recipe for Gac Sticky Rice with Green Beans! Gac, a fascinating fruit native to Southeast Asia, boasts a rich, deep orange flesh packed with beta-carotene, lending a stunning color and nutritional boost to this traditional dish. The sweet, subtly nutty flavor of the sticky rice pairs beautifully with the crisp texture of the green beans, creating a harmonious balance of textures and tastes. This recipe isn't just visually appealing; it's a celebration of fresh, simple ingredients elevated to a delicious and unforgettable meal.
Imagine the fragrant steam rising from a bowl of glistening, orange-hued sticky rice, studded with tender green beans. This recipe combines the unique qualities of Gac fruit with the familiar comfort of sticky rice, resulting in a dish that's both visually striking and incredibly delicious. Ready to create this culinary masterpiece? Let's dive into the step-by-step instructions below!
Tools Needed
- Steamer
- Pot
- Mixing bowl
- Gloves
- Rice paper
Ingredients
- Sticky rice: 1 kg
- Green beans: 300g
- Gac fruit shell: 122kg
- Salt: 1 tablespoon + 1/3 tablespoon
- White wine: 2 tablespoons
- Water: 1 liter + (for soaking rice and beans)
- Sugar: 110g + 1 tablespoon
- Coconut milk: 200ml + 300ml
- Coconut oil: 1 tablespoon
- Pandan leaves: a few
- Sesame salt
- Sesame peanuts
- Rice crackers
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare Ingredients
- Prepare 1kg of sticky rice (can use regular or yellow sticky rice) and soak for at least 2 hours, but no more than 8 hours to prevent breaking. Wash the rice thoroughly before soaking.
- Prepare 300g green beans. Wash and soak the green beans with 1 tablespoon of salt, soaking overnight or for 3 hours. The next day, wash thoroughly.
- Choose a ripe and plump gac fruit. Remove the seeds and some of the thick yellow fibers to prevent lumps and enhance color. Squeeze out the gac pulp, adding 2 tablespoons of white wine to enhance color.
Step 2. Prepare the Green Bean Filling
- Wash the soaked green beans and boil in 1 liter of water until tender.
- Drain cooked green beans and add 110g sugar, 1/3 tablespoon salt, 200ml coconut milk. Stir well over low heat, avoiding sticking. If desired, puree. Cook until thickened.
- Add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to the green bean filling and stir-fry until the mixture is no longer sticky.
Step 3. Cook the Sticky Rice
- Mix the soaked and drained sticky rice with the gac pulp, ensuring even distribution. Add ½ tablespoon of salt and mix well.
- Place a few pandan leaves in the steamer. Steam the sticky rice mixture for 15-20 minutes, then stir and steam for another 5-10 minutes. Then add 300 ml coconut milk, a tablespoon of coconut oil, and stir it.
- Add 1 tablespoon of sugar to the steamed sticky rice and mix well, then steam again for another 5-10 minutes.
Step 4. Serve
- Serve the sticky rice in rice crackers with the green bean filling and sesame salt mixture.
Read more: Vietnamese Sticky Rice with Gac (Red Melon) - Easy Recipe
Tips
- Soaking sticky rice for too long will cause it to break.
- Use a ripe and plump gac fruit for best color results.
- Remove some of the thick yellow fibers from the gac fruit to prevent lumps in the sticky rice.
- Use home-squeezed coconut milk for a richer flavor in both the filling and the rice.
- Steaming the sticky rice twice ensures a fluffy, non-sticky texture.
- If using pre-made rice crackers, spray them with water to soften before adding the sticky rice filling.
Nutrition
- N/A
FAQs
1. Can I substitute the Gac fruit with something else?
While Gac provides the unique color and slight sweetness, you can try using pumpkin puree or a combination of carrot and sweet potato puree for a similar color and texture. The flavor will be different, though.
2. How can I tell if my sticky rice is cooked properly?
Properly cooked sticky rice should be soft, slightly sticky, and not gummy or hard. It should hold its shape well but still be tender when you bite into it.
This vibrant Gac sticky rice with green beans recipe is a testament to the beauty of simple ingredients elevated to culinary perfection. Enjoy the stunning color, the delightful textures, and the unforgettable flavor combination that will leave you wanting more. We hope you’ll savor this unique dish and share it with friends and family!