Nom Ansom Chek
Nom ansom chek belongs to the family of sticky rice cakes prepared for festive occasions in Cambodia, especially during Khmer New Year and other traditional celebrations. Its elongated cylindrical shape distinguishes it from its pyramid-shaped relatives filled with pork, which are reserved for more solemn offerings. Preparing this dessert is often a communal act: families gather to clean the banana leaves, fill the rolls and tie them together, turning the lengthy cooking process into a moment of socializing. The ripe bananas, carefully chosen for their natural sweetness, practically melt into the long-simmered sticky rice, creating a delicate contrast of textures.
Sweet banana at the center
A whole ripe banana is hidden at the heart of the sticky rice.
Fragrant glutinous rice
The sticky rice is cooked with coconut milk and a little salt.
Wrapped in banana leaves
Banana leaves give the dessert a subtle aroma and cylindrical shape.
Long-boiled in water
The rolls simmer for hours until the rice becomes translucent and dense.
Ingredients 4 servings
- 500g glutinous rice
- 200ml coconut milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 ripe bananas, whole and peeled
- 100g split mung beans, cooked
- Banana leaves for wrapping
- Kitchen string for tying
- 1 tbsp sugar
- Water for boiling
How to make it
- 1Wash the glutinous rice well and soak it in water for 4 hours, then drain.
- 2Mix the drained rice with the coconut milk, salt and sugar, letting it absorb the liquid for 30 minutes.
- 3Quickly pass the banana leaves over a flame or blanch them, so they become pliable and don't tear when wrapping.
- 4On each leaf, place a layer of rice, then a layer of cooked mung beans, a whole banana in the center, and cover with another layer of rice.
- 5Roll the leaf tightly around the filling, forming a compact cylinder, then fold the ends and tie securely with string.
- 6Place the rolls in a large pot with boiling water, which must cover them completely, and simmer over medium heat for 4-5 hours, adding hot water if needed.
- 7Remove the rolls, let them cool, then unwrap the leaves and cut into slices for serving.
Nutritional info
per serving (~350 g)
Estimated nutritional values.
Pairs perfectly with
