MKATE SINIA - EAST AFRICAN RICE CAKE

MKATE SINIA

This is a sweet dish made from rice and very popular in East Africa, especially during the the Holy Month of Ramadhan. Here is my recipe that I have developed to perfection after many trials and errors! You have to be very careful of the proportion of ingredients used and pay particular attention to the final consistency of the batter. 

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups good quality Rice (Soaked overnight or for at least 6 hours)
• 4 Cups of Coconut Milk
• 3 tsps instanst yeast
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1 heaped tsp Crushed Cardamom
• 3 Cardamom Pods
• Some Sesame Seeds (Optional)
• Half Cup Ghee (Clarified Butter) OR oil 

METHOD

1) Drain the rice, and tip into the blender jug, add 3 cups of coconut milk and start blending. This will take some time - so keep blending from time to time, giving brief resting periods to your blender, until the batter is very smooth. To test, take a little amount and rub between your fingers; it should not feel grainy at all. It should be satin smooth as shown in the pics below. Pour the batter into a bowl.

2) Add the instant yeast and using a whisk, stir to make sure it incorporates well. Cover the bowl airtight and leave in a warm place to ferment. This should take about 40 minutes. 

3) Once fermented, you will see that it has doubled in size and will be very frothy.

4) Whisk it down and add the sugar, crushed cardamom and 1 cup of coconut milk. Whisk the batter smooth making sure there are no lumps. The final consistency should drop from a spoon in a thin creamy stream.

         

5) Pre-heat the oven at 160 deg.C

6) Place a heavy based pan (about 8/9 inches diameter in base) on heat. Heat well until almost smoking hot. Pour in the clarified butter or oil, add 3 coarsely crushed cardamom pods and quickly pour in the prepared butter, aimed at the centre of the pan. 

Lower heat immediately. Sprinkle some sesame seeds if using. Let cook on low heat for about 10 minutes. Then cover the pan with aluminum foil. Place the pan in the pre-heated oven and let bake for about 20 to 30 minutes, or until the cake is firm. To check, insert a thin metal skewer, if it comes out clean, the cake is done. Remove the foil and bake further for a few minutes to brown the top. Remove from oven and let it cool completely before removing from pan. For removing from pan you will have to ease your hand under the cake to loosen it. Then using your fingers from both hands, gently lift it out and place it on your serving plate.

!!ENJOY!!