Htamane (ထမနဲ) is a traditional savory Burmese dish which is primarily made out a mixture of Glutinous Rice, fried coconut shavings, roasted peanuts, toasted sesame, ground nut oil and ginger.
Htamane photo from (Facebook.com, 2016)
It is a ceremonial dish is served on the full moon day of Tabodwe (တပို့တွဲ) as part of the harvest festival. The harvest festival occurs on and around the 11th month of the Burmese calendar to celebrates the end of winter.
During this time there are htamane ceremonies / contests held across the country for entertainment.
Htamane Pwe Photo (Global New Light of Myanmar, 2018)
Traditionally, three men are involved in the mixing of the htamane. Two of the men mix with large woods spatulas and the third man instructs the men on how to mix the dough. Eventually, fried coconut shavings, toasted sesame, roasted peanuts, ground-nut oil and fried ginger are added into the pot and mixed in with the dough. At the very end of the process, more of the previous ingredients are added. Htamane is served on banana leaves that have been rubbed in oil that it safe to eat. Huge portions of htamane are made as a community in order to make enough for the whole village. First, a portion of it is delivered to the Buddha and the rest is delivered to neighboring friends and family as a harvest festival gift.
Recipe
Ingredients
2 Cups of Glutinous rice (White / Purple*)
1 Cup of water
1 Tea spoon of table salt
3 Table spoons of cooking oil
1 Tea spoon of finely chopped ginger
1 Tea spoon of finely chopped garlic
1/2 cup of shredded coconut
1/2 cup of roasted peanuts
1/3 cup of sesame seeds
Extras
Finely sliced Garlic and Ginger
*If purple glutinous rice its not available white will do just fine.
First prep the ingredients
- The glutinous rice will require soaking in water for about 2 hours.
- The shredded coconut will also need to be fried till crispy, care is required to not over cook and cause it to burn.
- Also fry up the peanuts and some sliced ginger. Sieve the oil and leave to drain.
Instructions
- When you are ready heat up a wok or frying pan with oil. You will require a large wok as you will be putting the rice in to here as well.
- Once the oil is sizzling add in the ginger and give it a quick stir.
- Now add in the garlic and stir-fry until they are fragrant and golden brown.
- Add in the glutinous rice. Add in water and stir gently. Sprinkle in salt.
- Cover the pan and let the rice cook for about 30 mins. Use a medium heat. Stir will from the from the bottom of the pan to make sure its not sticking. Check by taste to make sure the rice has softened.
- Once the rice is cooked you may add the peanuts, sesame seeds, shredded coconut. Also extra crispy ginger and garlic can be added to suit your taste.
- Use two large spatulas to fold and knead the rice and ingredients. This may take 15- 20 minutes.
- Once everything is evenly mixed in and rice is similar to a ball of dough its ready.
For the htamane festivals it will just require a larger quantity of ingredients to feed everyone.
Reference
Global New Light of Myanmar (2018). Pātimokkha Day on Fullmoon of Tabodwe. [image] Available at: http://www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com/patimokkha-day-fullmoon-tabodwe/ [Accessed 29 Jan. 2019].
Yangon Life. (2016). Myanmar Traditional Htamane Festival. [online] Available at: http://yangonlife.com.mm/en/article/myanmar-traditional-htamane-festival [Accessed 29 Jan. 2019].
Facebook.com. (2016). ဟင်းချက်နည်းများ. [online] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/winnaingthein25/photos/a.248963258620218/538072096375998/ [Accessed 30 Jan. 2019].