Date: 15 Jun 2007 Comments: 1

Bachang wrapping requires some amount of practice. Back then, my late grandmother used to tell me that her mother told her to practice wrapping sands with mango leaves until she could do it properly, i.e. the sand doesn’t leak out from the leaves before she was allowed to do the real thing.

Conveniently, there was a mango tree outside, so I did try wrapping some sands with mango leaves but I wasn’t so good and the sand leaked.

So anyhow, I finally get to learn with the real stuffs, from Aunty Khim. Check out the dumpling ingredients first if you want to learn making some homemade bachang, and then proceed with the wrapping.

Firstly, take two leaves and put them together, like how I did in the picture.

Make a cone shape, making sure both end of the leaves are symmetrical.

Add a spoonful of rice grains, filling around one third of the cone.

Then, add the fillings. Don’t be afraid to poke them into the rice grains.

And then, cover up the fillings with more rice grains. Not too much though, leave enough space for the leaves to seal the fillings properly.

Now, this is kinda important. With a firm grip, cup the cone and fold the top of the leaf onto the fillings, forming a pyramid shape. Make sure that it is not too loose or too tight. If it is too loose the dumplings will not hold properly, but if they are too tight, they do not have room for expansion while the dumplings are cooking. Both will result in the dumpling bursting in the cooking water, and we don’t want that mess and waste.

Wrap the remainder of the leaves around the dumplings. Remember, not too loose nor too tight. And then proceed to tie them up with hemp strings.

The hemp strings usually comes knotted in a bunch, so when you are done tying up, you get a bunch of really nice looking dumplings.

I personally like the old school look and feel of hemp strings, they are just so pretty.

After you are done with wrapping them up, cook the dumplings in boiling water for two to three hours or until they are cooked, whichever comes first.

Does it look like it is hard to make? Well, I’d say not really, if you are interested in learning. If you really love to eat but can’t find the time to handmake them, just buy the ready made and cooked ones. You can find rice dumplings selling in your local neighbourhood market, coffeeshops, roadside stalls and even supermarkets. If you are making them, have fun wrapping your own rice dumplings!