This is probably the definitive Thai dish, and one of the commonest staples in Thailand. Khao Tom (rice soup) can be found anywhere, and most city blocks will have at least one local ‘restaurant’ that specializes in this dish. Khao Tom is the base to which you can add chicken, pork, prawns, seafood, or whatever takes your fancy! This recipe uses pork, but it is “up to you”.
| Ingredients | Serves 4 |
| Pork or chicken stock | 6 cups |
| Ginger root, minced fresh | 1 tbspn |
| Shallots, minced and crushed | 2 large |
| Lemon grass | 1 stalk (cut into two) |
| Rice | ¾ cup |
| Ground pork minced | 250 gm |
| Eggs | 2 |
| Fish sauce | 2 tbspns |
| Maggi sauce | 1 tbspn |
| Scallion, for garnish | 1 sliced |
| Deep-fried garlic | 1 tbspn for garnish |
| Coriander fresh, chopped | 1 tbspn for garnish |
Cooking method
In the wok heat the stock and then add ginger root, shallots, lemon grass and rice and bring to a boil and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 30 minutes, or until soup is a porridge-like consistency. Remove and discard lemon grass. Add the pork and fish sauce and then break the two eggs into the soup, stir and then simmer five minutes more. Garnish with scallion, fried garlic and coriander.
