Khao Dome (coconut sticky rice in banana leaves)

In the honour of Father's Day, I post this Khao Dome recipe. Khao Dome is my dad's favourite appetizer. He doesn't like coconut but makes an exception for Khao Dome.

I also honour my grandfather in Paksan Laos. He is in his 100th year! He wakes up before dawn everyday and walks to Wat Lao (Buddhist Temple). Khao Dome would be one of the items he would offer the monks.

In the honour of my father and grandfather because of the wisdom, guidance and love, I post this Thai / Lao traditional recipe. Happy Father's Day!

Recipe for Thai / Lao Khao Dome:
1 cup sticky rice
1 cup fresh coconut milk
1/3 cup sugar
1 plantain sliced
1 package Banana Leaves, washed & trimmed

1. Take one cup of Lao sticky rice. Rinse and drain several times in cold water to remove any debris. Add cold water to cover sticky rice. Let sticky rice soak in cold water overnight or for at least 4 hours.
2. Place a sauce pan over medium heat. Add fresh coconut milk and sugar into sauce pan. Stir to dissolve sugar.
3. Drain water from the sticky rice. Add Sticky rice into sauce pan.
4. Stir rice until coconut milk is absorbed and resembles a thick porridge.
5. Turn heat off and let rice cool.
6. Remove the skin from the plantain. Slice the plantain into nine pieces.
7. Take a sheet of a Banana Leaf that is about the size of a standard paper (8.5"x11").
8. Add one heaping tablespoon of rice into Banana Leaf.
9. Add one slice of plantain over rice
10. Add another heaping tablespoon of rice over plantain.
11. Fold banana leaf as if you are wrapping a gift box.
12. Add two inches of water into the steaming pot. Place the steaming pot on a stove element set to high heat. Place steaming basket into steaming pot. Add Khao Dome in the steaming basket. Place a lid over Khao Dome. Steam Khao Dome for 40 minutes.

Preparing Banana Leaves

Bananas grow in abundance in Thailand and Laos. The leaves are used to wrap food for steaming ‘Khao Dome’ and ‘Moke Pha’ dishes. ‘Khao Dome' is coconut milk and Thai Lao Sticky Rice steamed in banana leaf. ‘Moke Pha' is steamed fish with herbs and egg. Try the Fish with Thai Lao Herbs recipe by wrapping the fish in banana leaves and steaming for 40 miniutes.

Corn leaves can also be steamed to make a corn wrap dessert.

Banana leaves are used in Thailand and Laos for steaming, storing, and packaging. Banana leaves may be purchased from an Asian supermarket in the frozen section.

Instructions on how to Prepare Banana Leaves:
1. Thaw the frozen banana leaves for about two hours in room temperature
2. Remove the banana leaves from the packaging
3. Remove the amount you need and re-package and re-freeze the rest
4. Rinse the leaves in cold water to soften them and to remove any debris
5. Wipe the leaves with a cloth on both sides to remove excess water
6. Use a pair of scissors to remove any yellow colour and tears along the perimeter
7. Tear the banana leaf, if necessary, to the size of a standard paper, (8.5” x 11”)