Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Sticky Rice and Alms Giving in Luang Prabang


The traditional rice serving basket is called a gateep.

A double boiler used as a steamer for sticky rice.






Each morning as roosters greet first light, the sun begins to arc and the hazy rice paddies of Luang Prabang become tinged in pink and gold. This city wakens gently. Rice pots are set to steam and soon after temple drums begin a rhythmic signal that marks the beginning of a ritual as old as the Buddha himself. The morning alms procession (Tak Bat) is a living Buddhist tradition that has great meaning for the people of Luang Prabang. Monks file out of monasteries in lines that resemble threads of saffron swaying in the breeze. Townsfolk take their places on the side of the road, rice baskets in hand, to repeat, yet again, the ancient custom of giving alms. The men stand, shoulders covered in white scarfs. The women sit on stools or kneel. No one wears shoes. This is a silent procession; the stillness is broken only by strutting, crowing roosters and the scuffing of feet on hammered earth. The alms basket of each monk receives a ball of sticky rice from the right hand of every person along the route. Only the right hand may be used. The monks receive sustenance. The townspeople gain merit which they believe will bring them happiness, a peaceful life and strength to overcome any obstacles or misfortune that they might encounter. And what did I, an outsider, receive? I was strangely moved by the piety of givers and receivers and the nearly perfect silence of the procession; for a few precious moments my world stood still and I was suspended in time in a place that could be called Shangri-La.

In northern Thailand and Laos, sticky rice is served at every meal, much like bread in Europe ot the United States. The rice is soaked, then steamed and traditionally served in a wicker basket called a gateep. Diners, using their right hand, scoop a couple of tablespoons of rice at a time into a small ball, then use it to pick up a chunk of meat or vegetable, or to soak up sauces. It can be served hot, warm or at room temperature.


Sticky Rice

Ingredients:
2 cups sticky (also called glutinous) rice
Water for soaking and steaming

Directions:
1) Cover rice with 2 to 3 inches cold water in a large bowl and soak at room temperature for at least 3 or as long as 12 hours.
2) Place a steamer basket or a footed colander over the base of a steamer containing about 4 inches of water. Rinse rice until water runs clear; drain, place in steamer basket, and steam, covered, over boiling water until shiny and tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Gather rice into a mound and transfer to a serving dish or a gateep (a coverered serving basket). Yield: 4 servings.

Cook's and Traveler's Note: Many cultures still prefer to eat using traditional methods — their hands. In these cases, food is often offered communally, which is why it’s important to wash your hands before eating and observe the right-hand-is-for-eating and the left-hand-is-for-other-duties rule. If you eat with your left hand, expect your fellow diners to be mortified. And when partaking from a communal bowl, stick to a portion that’s closest to you. Do not get greedy and plunge your hand into the center. If you are left-handed, attempt to be ambidextrous — even children who are left-handed in these cultures are taught to eat with their right hand — or at least explain yourself to your fellow diners before plunging in.

26 comments :

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

Your words are so perfect with the photos. Thank you Mary.

Selba said...

I love sticky rice...

Very interesting pictures.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Tanna, I wish everyone could see this magical place before it falls victim to progress. We've traveled and seen a lot and I was not prepared for how this place would steal my heart. Go now if you can because the clock is ticking. It won't be this way 5 years from now.
Hugs...Mary

Mary Bergfeld said...

Selba, welcome to One Perfect Bite. I hope you'll come back often.

Hootin Anni said...

I love sticky rice, but learned something with your post today. Now, I'm wondering just where I could find one of these for cooking rice 'the traditional way'.

Have a super Wednesday Mary.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Anni, the cookers are available online through e-stores such as Temple of Thai. Here is the address for you...http://www.templeofthai.com/food/sticky_rice/

Julia said...

Welcome Back! Great post, and am looking forward to hearing more stories (and seeing photos) from your travels.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Julia, it's good to be back. My time clock is not yet back to normal but this can't last forever - right?

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

Beautiful writing, Mary. "their safron threads", what a beautiful description of their clothes. I so enjoyed reading and learning.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Susan, thank you for your kind words.

Cathy said...

What a beautiful and moving ritual of giving and receiving.

Welcome home, Mary. I missed you.

La Bella Cooks said...

This is a wonderful post and the photos are gorgeous!

Donna-FFW said...

I love your stories Mary. Your words are charming, calming, and interesting! And your food is always outstanding!

The Blonde Duck said...

That's really neat! What a cool recipe + story!

Pam said...

What a great post. I love learning about different cultures.

Sara said...

This is a really interesting post. I've actually never made sticky rice before. Your pictures are great.

Kiezie said...

Love sticky rice, thank you for the recipe!! How wonderful to see the pictures, what a treat, they are absolutely beautiful! It sounds like you had a wonderful time!

Lisa said...

Your trip sounds so interesting! I just met a man from Laos who told me about his preference for eating rice at every meal. Learning there. Sharing here. Food tells so many universal stories.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Lisa, the Lao preference for rice is remarkable. They put sticky rice to soak before going to sleep for the night. They steam that rice in the morning for breakfast. Before they leave for work or move on to other chores, they set the dinner rice to soak. The preference for rice is apparent throughout southeast Asia. It is an inexpensive food readily available (now) for the people.

Netts Nook said...

Mary : Oh this looks so lively can't wait to try. We love sticky rice. Great Pictures.

Martha said...

One of our friends is Laotian and sticky rice is always served for dinner. She makes the best egg rolls and summer rolls!

dp said...

Sticky rice was the predominant starch served in our house. I remember when I was a kid, Thai restaurants weren't serving it or Isaan food in general. There was a sense of it being hillbilly type of food. Now there's an explosion of it everywhere. It makes me very happy to see.

You're lucky to be able to witness this ritual. Hopefully "progress" won't set in too quickly...

Mary Bergfeld said...

Darlene, this whole experience was one of the highlights of my life.

Anonymous said...

My country just across the Thai border to go to Laos. I haven't been there but I 'd seen pictures and videos my friends took. I agreed with you and I hope such scenes won't disappeared 5-10 years from now just like Thailand...

Oh, I eat with hands too when opportunity allows me ... right hand though :-D I always asked my mom, how a person eats with right hand If he lost his right hand or handicapped with no hands due to misfortunes or from birth?

Also... the women are not allowed to touch the monks' bowls when they put the food in (also any contact with the monks' body) so, I'd seen some women used tongs or chopsticks to pick the food into the bowls.

Another merit making is the Kathina Ceremony which last several days. This ritual take place in October. I hope you manage to capture that ceremony...

Mary Bergfeld said...

Pixen, it is an honor to have you visit my site. You have a very beautiful country. I will be writing about it in the next few weeks. Thank you for the information regarding the monks. In Laos the women may not touch the monks but they may drop rice into the alms baskets or place an offering on a mat that the monk will pull towards himself. I will not be able to see the Kathina ceremony but a new friend has promised to photograph it for me.
I do hope you will come back. I also hope your Mom has a sense of humor.

Melissa and Zack said...

Love your pics, Mom & love sticky rice - yum!

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Printfriendly