Christmas Candied Fruit Suman

1.Rinse the glutinous rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.

2.In a large pot, combine the soaked rice, coconut milk, water, salt, sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir well to combine all ingredients.

3.Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the rice absorbs most of the liquid, about 15-20 minutes. The mixture should be sticky but not dry. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

4.Prepare the banana leaves by cutting them into rectangular pieces (about 8x10 inches) and briefly passing them over an open flame or hot water to make them pliable. Grease the leaves lightly with cooking oil to prevent sticking.

5.Spoon about 1/4 cup of the rice mixture onto the center of each banana leaf piece. Top with a tablespoon of mixed candied fruits, then fold the sides of the banana leaf over the filling to create a neat package. Secure with kitchen twine or toothpicks if necessary.

6.Place the wrapped suman in a steamer basket lined with additional banana leaves. Steam over boiling water for about 30-40 minutes, or until the suman is firm and cooked through. Check occasionally to ensure there's enough water in the steamer.

7.Once cooked, remove the suman from the steamer and let them cool slightly before unwrapping. Serve warm or at room temperature, garnished with additional candied fruits if desired.