Fried Suman (Steamed Sticky Rice) with Ube Ice Cream

Good day my darlings. I made a super easy recipe again today. This is the perfect dessert for me during hot summer days. Suman (steamed sticky rice) is pretty common here in our place that all markets have them. Even my aunts and cousins also know how to make them. Sticky rice is cooked with a bit of lye or for a more tastier version, coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves then steamed until cooked. Absolutely a perfect partner for coffee or hot chocolate, but today, we will be making it into cool and sweet treat.

Let's start, shall we? You will need the following:

1. Suman with grated sweet coconut

2. Sugar

3. Ube (yam) ice cream

You will also need cooking oil :)

First, peel the suman by removing the banana leaf wrappers. This version of suman is called suman sa lihiya (steamed sticky rice in lye). I love how it has got no sweetness to it but it when you buy it at the supermarket, it is usually partnered with the grated sweet coconut which not only gives an interesting texture but gives a delicious sweet taste to it :) After peeling our suman, get a clean plate and place a tablespoon or two of sugar then cover the suman in sugar.

In a pan, add about half an inch of oil. Once hot, place the suman until you achieve a somewhat crispy and golden outside layer. You will know it is ready when you see blisters on its surface. This recipe is perfect if you have got leftover suman and tired of the usual coffee-suman combination.

Next, you need to drain the excess oil then let it cool a bit. Adding ice cream at this point would only make it melt. Please, please do not make the mistake I made :)

Once cool to touch, you can now place a scoop (or two!) of ube ice cream then sprinkle it with the grated sweet coconut :) You can also experiment with the ice cream flavors. I had it with chocolate ice cream one time with icing sugar and boy was it yummy! You can also add fruits to it for a (ehem) healthier version :)