Indonesian Delight: Authentic Lemper Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of glutinous rice
  • 1 can of coconut milk (400 ml)
  • 1 pandan leaf
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 lemongrass stalk
  • 500 grams of chicken breast
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 2 shallots
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon of coriander
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of black pepper
  • Banana leaves for wrapping, cut into rectangles (15x20cm)

Steps and instructions

  1. Rinse the glutinous rice until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for about 2 hours and then drain.
  2. Heat a saucepan, add coconut milk, pandan leaf, bay leaves, and lemongrass. Bring to a simmer.
  3. Add the soaked and drained rice to the pan. Cook the rice until the coconut milk is fully absorbed. Then steam the rice for about 40 minutes until it's fully cooked and sticky.
  4. While the rice is cooking, prepare the chicken filling. Boil the chicken breast until it's cooked. Shred the cooked chicken and set aside.
  5. Blend garlic and shallots until it forms a paste. Heat vegetable oil in a pan, add the garlic and shallot paste, turmeric, coriander, cumin, salt, sugar, and black pepper. Cook until fragrant.
  6. Add the shredded chicken to the pan and stir until well mixed. Cook for another 5 minutes.
  7. Once the rice and chicken filling are ready, prepare the banana leaves. Make sure the banana leaves are clean. You can quickly pass them over an open flame to make them more pliable.
  8. Take a piece of banana leaf, put a spoonful of rice on it, flatten the rice, then put a spoonful of chicken filling in the middle. Cover the filling with another layer of rice.
  9. Fold the banana leaf to fully cover the rice and filling, making a rectangular shape. Secure it with a toothpick or tie with a thin strip of banana leaf.
  10. Steam the wrapped rice for about 20 minutes. Then let them cool.
  11. Lemper is ready to serve. It can be eaten warm or at room temperature.

Tools for making

  • Saucepan - For cooking the rice and coconut milk mixture.
  • Blender - To blend the garlic and shallots into a paste for the chicken filling.
  • Pan - For cooking the chicken filling.
  • Steamer - To steam the wrapped rice until it's fully cooked.
  • Toothpicks or Thin Strips of Banana Leaf - To secure the banana leaf wraps while steaming.
  • Knife - For cutting the chicken breast and banana leaves.
  • Cutting Board - To use as a surface for cutting and preparing ingredients.
  • Strainer - For rinsing the glutinous rice.
  • Cooking Spoon - To stir and mix ingredients while cooking.

Recipe variations

  • Vegetarian/Vegan: Replace the chicken breast with marinated tofu or tempeh.
  • Seafood: Use cooked and seasoned shrimp, crab, or fish as an alternative filling.
  • Pork: Substitute the chicken breast with cooked and seasoned minced pork.
  • Beef: Use cooked and seasoned minced beef as a filling option.
  • Spicy: Add chopped chili peppers or chili powder to the chicken filling for an extra kick.
  • Cheesy: Add grated cheese to the chicken filling for a cheesy twist.
  • Gluten-Free: Replace glutinous rice with sticky rice or another gluten-free grain.
  • Herbs and Spices: Experiment with different herbs and spices such as turmeric leaves, lime leaves, or ginger for added flavors.
  • Coconut-Free: Replace coconut milk with almond milk, soy milk, or another non-dairy alternative.
  • Sweet Lemper: Instead of savory chicken filling, use sweet fillings like palm sugar or chocolate spread for a dessert version.

Recipe overview

Lemper is a traditional Indonesian snack made with glutinous rice and a flavorful chicken filling, all wrapped up in a banana leaf. This dish is often served at room temperature, making it a perfect on-the-go snack or a delightful addition to any meal. With its creamy coconut-infused sticky rice and aromatic chicken filling, Lemper is a treasure of textures and flavors that is sure to impress. This recipe will take you step by step through the process of making Lemper. First, you'll prepare the sticky rice and chicken filling separately. Then, you'll assemble the Lemper by sandwiching the filling between two layers of rice, wrap them in banana leaves, and steam again to infuse the flavors. Although the process might seem long, it’s fairly straightforward and the end result is truly worth it. Enjoy the process and the delicious reward at the end.

Common questions

  1. Can I use regular rice instead of glutinous rice? No, glutinous rice is essential for the sticky texture of Lemper.
  2. Can I use coconut cream instead of coconut milk? Yes, you can use coconut cream as a substitute for coconut milk, but the texture and flavor may be slightly different.
  3. Can I use chicken thigh instead of chicken breast? Yes, you can use chicken thigh as a substitute for chicken breast, but the cooking time may vary slightly.
  4. Can I skip the spice blend? The spice blend adds flavor to the chicken filling, but you can adjust or omit it according to your taste preference.
  5. Can I use parchment paper instead of banana leaves? Banana leaves give a unique aroma to Lemper, but if you don't have access to them, you can use parchment paper as a substitute.
  6. Can I make Lemper in advance? Yes, Lemper can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  7. Can I freeze Lemper? Yes, you can freeze Lemper. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month.
  8. How should I reheat Lemper? To reheat Lemper, steam them for a few minutes until heated through or microwave them for a short time until warm.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Steamer - A steamer is needed to steam the glutinous rice and the wrapped lemper.
  • Saucepan - A saucepan is required to cook the coconut milk and rice.
  • Blender or Food Processor - A blender or food processor is useful for blending garlic and shallots into a paste for the chicken filling.
  • Pan - A pan is needed to cook the chicken filling.
  • Toothpicks or Banana Leaf Strips - Toothpicks or banana leaf strips are used to secure the wrapped lemper before steaming.
  • Knife - A knife is necessary for cutting the banana leaves into rectangles and also for serving the lemper.
  • Open Flame (optional) - If desired, an open flame can be used to quickly pass the banana leaves over to make them more pliable.

Origin stories

Lemper is a traditional Indonesian snack, often found in Java region and is the close kin of another Indonesian favourite called 'Lontong'. The food is indeed a canvas of the country's rich history. Encased in banana leaf, one could say that Lemper is a gift, neatly wrapped, that tells the story of Indonesia's agricultural heritage and the ingenious use of local ingredients. The humble glutinous rice, a staple, is transformed into a delightful treat with the addition of aromatic spices and coconut, each bringing its own subtle nuance to create a harmonious blend of flavours. The feature that truly speaks of Indonesian ingenuity, however, is the use of banana leaf as a natural food wrapper - a testament to the country's respect for nature and its bountiful resources. This delicious snack is more than just a quick bite; it's a piece of Indonesian culture, passed down through generations, and a culinary symbol of the country's rich and diverse heritage.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.