JUKUT BELIMBING (Star Fruit Leaves In Sweet Sauce)

JUKUT BELIMBING (Star Fruit Leaves In Sweet Sauce):
Star fruits trees grow in many Balinese gardens, a convenient source of leaves for vegetable dishes. The leaves are crunchy with a slightly bitter tang. If not available substitute with spinach leaves.

INGREDIENTS:
400 gr star fruit leaves, washed
½ cup basic spice paste
2 cups coconut milk
2 salam leaves
300 gr beef rump, minced
30 cm square of banana leaf
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black peppercorn, crushed

PREPARATION:
Bring 3 liters (12 cups) of lightly salted water to the boil in a stockpot. Add star fruit leaves. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain leaves, and then cools to room temperatures in ice water. Drain and dry well. Place half of the spice paste into saucepan and sauté for 2 minutes. Add coconut milk and salam leaf, reduce heat and simmer until sauce thickens. Season minced beef with the remaining spice paste. Place on banana leaf and roll up very tightly into the shape of a sausage. Steam for 15 minutes. Allow to cool, open banana leaf and break meat into its original minced consistency. Mix the coconut milk and mince beer well and add star fruit leaves and mix again. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature with steamed rice.