Lemper

Indulge in the authentic flavors of Indonesia with this delightful 'Lemper' recipe—perfect for savory snack enthusiasts! Lemper is a traditional Indonesian treat made from fragrant, sticky glutinous rice infused with rich coconut milk, encasing a spiced, shredded chicken filling that's packed with aromatic shallots, garlic, and warm spices like turmeric and coriander. Wrapped in banana leaves that lend an earthy aroma and optionally grilled for a smoky finish, these compact rice rolls are not only visually stunning but also irresistibly flavorful. Whether served warm or at room temperature, lemper is an ideal choice for parties, picnics, or as an on-the-go treat. Discover the charm of Indonesian cuisine with this easy-to-follow recipe, perfect for impressing your family and friends!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:90 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 300 grams Glutinous rice
• 400 ml Coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 250 grams Chicken breast
• 2 tablespoons Coconut oil
• 3 cloves Shallots
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Cumin powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 6 large pieces Banana leaves
• 12 Toothpicks

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the glutinous rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice for at least 2 hours, then drain.

Step 2

In a pot, combine coconut milk and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the soaked rice into the coconut milk and lower the heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is half-cooked, about 15 minutes.

Step 4

Place a steaming basket over a pot of boiling water. Transfer the rice to the basket and steam for 30 minutes until fully cooked and sticky.

Step 5

While the rice is cooking, boil the chicken breast until cooked through, about 15 minutes. Let it cool, then shred the chicken finely.

Step 6

In a pan, heat coconut oil over medium heat. Sauté the shallots and garlic until fragrant and golden brown.

Step 7

Add coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, sugar, and salt to the pan. Stir well to combine.

Step 8

Add the shredded chicken to the pan, stir to coat with the spice mixture, and cook for another 5 minutes. Set aside.

Step 9

Cut the banana leaves into rectangular pieces (20x15 cm) and soften them by briefly passing them over a flame or soaking them in hot water.

Step 10

To assemble the lemper, place a portion of sticky rice (approximately 2 tablespoons) on a banana leaf and flatten it into a rectangle about 1 cm thick.

Step 11

Add a tablespoon of the chicken filling on top of the rice, then cover with another portion of rice, forming a compact roll.

Step 12

Wrap the roll with the banana leaf, folding in the sides, and secure with toothpicks.

Step 13

Repeat the process with the remaining rice and filling.

Step 14

For additional flavor, grill the wrapped rolls on a preheated skillet or open flame for a few minutes on each side until the banana leaves are charred.

Step 15

Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy your homemade lemper!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1655.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1116.5

Total Fat 38.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 25.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.9g
Cholesterol 215mg	0%
Sodium 3936.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 114.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.8g	0%
Total Sugars 35.9g
Protein 78.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 119.0mg	0%
Iron 4.2mg	0%
Potassium 1355.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 31.1%

Protein: 27.9%

Carbs: 41.0%