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Sakin gata
Sticky rice and sesame cakes
Sakin gata: Garo sticky rice and black sesame cakes steamed in leaves for Wangala
During Wangala, the Garo harvest festival of drums and dancing each autumn, families steam sakin gata: sticky rice ground with black sesame, sweetened lightly and wrapped in leaves. The cakes are chewy, nutty and grey-black, shared with visitors and offered at the celebrations. The common mistake is grinding the rice too dry, which makes cakes that crack; the dough should feel like soft clay. Chef's tip: toast the sesame until it just starts to pop, no darker, or it turns bitter.
- Total time
- 65 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
For the cakes
- 9 oz sticky rice flour
- 2 ⅛ oz black sesame seeds
- 2 ⅛ oz jaggerygrated
- 1 pinch salt
- ¾ cup warm waterapproximately
- 6 banana leavescut into 20 cm squares
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Toast 2 ⅛ oz black sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat until it starts to pop and smell nutty. Cool and grind coarsely.
4 minStep 2: Mix 9 oz sticky rice flour, ground sesame, 2 ⅛ oz jaggery and 1 pinch salt. Add ¾ cup warm water gradually and knead to a soft, smooth dough.
8 minStep 3: Divide into 12 pieces, shape each into a flat oval and wrap in a square of 6 banana leaves, folding in the sides.
15 minStep 4: Steam, covered, until the dough is glossy and firm when pressed.
30 minStep 5: Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 250 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 44 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does sakin gata take?
- About 65 minutes in total: 30 minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of black sesame seeds?
- Poppy seeds or finely chopped pumpkin seeds, same amount.
- What can I use instead of jaggery?
- Dark brown or muscovado sugar, same amount.
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