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Khao tom (vegetable rice soup)
ข้าวต้ม · Loose rice grains in a clear ginger broth with garlic oil, tofu and greens
Khao tom is what Thais eat at the start of the day and, just as often, at two in the morning, when the 'khao tom kui' shops of Bangkok's Yaowarat and night-market stalls stay open for hungry people heading home. Unlike rice porridge (jok), the grains stay whole and separate in a light, clear broth, so it feels more like a soup than a congee. This vegan bowl uses a ginger and white pepper stock with soft tofu, Chinese cabbage and a spoon of golden garlic oil on top. It is gentle food, also what Thai families cook when someone is unwell. Chef's tip: use leftover cooked jasmine rice, rinsed under the tap; fresh rice turns the broth cloudy and starchy.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
For the garlic oil
For the soup
To serve
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Put 3 tbsp vegetable oil and 6 cloves garlic in a small cold pan and set it over a medium-low heat. Stir until the garlic bubbles gently and turns pale gold, about 4 minutes, then pour into a heatproof bowl straight away; it keeps darkening off the heat.
4 minStep 2: Bring 4 ¼ cups water, ⅔ oz ginger and 3 coriander roots or stems to the boil in a pot. Lower the heat and simmer for 8 minutes until the water smells clearly of ginger.
8 minStep 3: Season with ½ tsp ground white pepper, 2 tbsp gluten-free light soy sauce or tamari and ½ tsp salt. Add 4 shiitake mushrooms and 5 ½ oz Chinese leaf (napa cabbage) and simmer for 3 minutes until the cabbage stalks turn translucent.
3 minStep 4: Add 10 ½ oz cooked jasmine rice and 5 ½ oz soft or silken tofu and heat through over a medium heat for 2–3 minutes. Don't boil hard or stir much, or the rice breaks and the tofu crumbles.
3 minStep 5: Ladle into bowls, spoon over a little garlic oil with its crisp bits, and finish with 1 spring onion, 1 handful coriander leaves and 2 tbsp sliced chillies in rice vinegar.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 340 kcal
- Protein
- 11 g
- Carbs
- 44 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does khao tom (vegetable rice soup) take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
- What can I use instead of cooked jasmine rice?
- Any long-grain rice, same amount.
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