Steamed rice flour cakes sweetened with sugar — the simple traditional sweet of Sikkim's Bhutia people made for Losar and Buddhist celebrations.

Ingredients

Method

  1. Mix rice flour, sugar, cardamom powder and a pinch of salt in a bowl.
  2. Add warm water gradually, mixing with your hands, until a soft dough forms that can be shaped without crumbling.
  3. Grease small moulds or a flat pan with oil.
  4. Or use small cups lined with oiled banana leaf.
  5. Press 2 to 3 tbsp of the rice dough into each mould, pressing firmly to fill evenly.
  6. Set up a steamer with boiling water.
  7. Arrange the filled moulds in the steamer.
  8. Steam on medium heat for 15 to 18 minutes until completely cooked through.
  9. Test by inserting a skewer — it should come out clean.
  10. Cool for 5 minutes. Invert to unmould.
  11. Serve warm or at room temperature.