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Dai Purple Sticky Rice
Home Cooking
Aromatic purple glutinous rice steamed with pandan leaves — a fragrant staple of the Dai people of Xishuangbanna.
🛒 Ingredients
- 400 g purple glutinous rice
- 4 pandan leaves (or banana leaves), cut into pieces
- 200 ml coconut milk
- 2 tbsp sugar
- Pinch of salt
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1. Wash the main ingredient and set aside
- 2. Prepare and cut the side ingredients
- 3. Heat oil in a wok, saute the aromatics until fragrant
- 4. Add the main ingredient and stir-fry evenly
- 5. Add water and simmer until fully cooked
- 6. Toss evenly, plate and serve
📖 Culture & History
Purple sticky rice is a daily staple for the Dai people of Xishuangbanna. The rice gets its striking purple color from natural anthocyanins. Steaming with pandan (or banana) leaves gives it an extraordinary floral aroma. It is typically served at every Dai meal alongside grilled meats, curries, and fresh vegetables. The Dai are one of China's many ethnic minorities who have preserved their own distinct food traditions, and purple sticky rice is perhaps the most visible symbol of Dai cuisine. Visitors to Xishuangbanna will find it served everywhere from street stalls to village homes.