TUM BEBEK (Minced Duck In Banana Leaf)

OVERVIEW:
Tum, leaf-wrapped bundles of highly seasoned food, are made with almost any basic ingredient in Bali, ranging from eels, to chicken, pork, beef or duck.

INGREDIENTS:
600 gr boneless duck, skin removed and minced
1 tbsp fried shallots
1 tbsp fried garlic
1/3 cup coconut milk, thick
3 tbsp basic spice paste
4 bird’s-eye chilies, sliced
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp black peppercorns, crushed
12 pieces banana leaf, cut in 20 cm (8 in) squares
12 ea salam leaves

PREPARATION:
Combine the above ingredients except for banana leaf and mix well. Fold a heaped tablespoon of the mixture into the center of a banana leaf and wrap. Steam parcels for about 15 minutes, until well cooked. If banana leaf, use greaseproof paper in preference to aluminum foil.

The above mixture can also be used for duck satays; simply add 200g of grated coconut and double the quantity of the basic spice paste salt and pepper. Spear 2 heaped tablespoons of the paste around a large satay skewer or stalk of lemon grass.