Banh It La Gai: Vietnamese Glutinous Rice Cakes Wrapped in Leaves

Introduction

Banh It La Gai is a traditional Vietnamese delicacy, consisting of glutinous rice cakes filled with savory ingredients and wrapped in aromatic leaves. These delectable treats offer a unique blend of flavors and textures, making them a popular choice for special occasions and festive gatherings.

Ingredients

For the Rice Cake:

• Glutinous rice flour
• Mung bean paste
• Shrimp
• Pork belly
• Shallots
• Garlic
• Wood ear mushrooms
• Seasonings: fish sauce, sugar, salt, pepper

For the Wrapping:

• La Gai leaves (wild betel leaves)
• String or toothpicks for securing the leaves

Directions

1. Prepare the filling by sautéing minced shallots, garlic, diced pork belly, and shrimp. Season with fish sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper. Add mung bean paste and chopped wood ear mushrooms. Set aside.

2. Mix glutinous rice flour with water to form a dough. Shape the dough into small balls and flatten them to create a cup-like shape.

3. Place a spoonful of the prepared filling in the center of each rice cake and seal the edges to enclose the filling.

4. Wrap each filled rice cake with a la gai leaf, securing it with string or toothpicks to prevent unwrapping during cooking.

5. Steam the Banh It La Gai for about 20-30 minutes until the rice cakes are cooked through and the flavors meld together.

6. Allow the cakes to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy these Vietnamese delicacies warm or at room temperature.

FAQ about Banh It La Gai

What is Banh It La Gai?

Banh It La Gai is a traditional Vietnamese delicacy made of glutinous rice flour filled with a savory mixture, typically pork and shrimp, and wrapped in a fragrant leaf called la gai.

How is Banh It La Gai prepared?

To make Banh It La Gai, a mixture of cooked pork, shrimp, and seasonings is encased in a ball of sticky rice dough, then wrapped in a leaf before being steamed or boiled.

What does the leaf add to the dish?

The la gai leaf imparts a unique aroma and flavor to Banh It La Gai, enhancing the overall taste of the dish with its earthy and slightly bitter notes.

Is Banh It La Gai served as a snack or a main dish?

Banh It La Gai is commonly enjoyed as a snack or appetizer due to its small size and flavorful filling, making it perfect for gatherings or as a side dish.

Can Banh It La Gai be found outside of Vietnam?

While Banh It La Gai is a traditional Vietnamese dish, it can be enjoyed at Vietnamese restaurants worldwide or made at home by those keen on exploring Vietnamese cuisine.