Indonesian Comfort Food: Creamy Rice Porridge with Toppings

Ingredients

• 1 cup (200g) jasmine rice 1 cup (200g) jasmine rice
• 4 cups (950ml) water 4 cups (950ml) water
• 2 cups (470ml) chicken or vegetable broth 2 cups (470ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, finely chopped 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 1 thumb-sized ginger, grated 1 thumb-sized ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• Toppings: shredded chicken, crispy fried shallots, chopped scallions, soy sauce Toppings: shredded chicken, crispy fried shallots, chopped scallions, soy sauce

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 3g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 50g, 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, combine the rice, water, broth, garlic, shallot, ginger, and salt.
3. 3.
   Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. 4.
   As the rice cooks, prepare the toppings by shredding the chicken, frying the shallots until crispy, and chopping the scallions.
5. 5.
   Once the rice has thickened and reached a creamy consistency, remove it from the heat.
6. 6.
   Serve the porridge hot in bowls, and top each bowl with shredded chicken, crispy fried shallots, chopped scallions, and a drizzle of soy sauce.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Jasmine rice — Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch before cooking.
• Garlic — Mince the garlic finely to ensure it blends well into the porridge.
• Shallot — Finely chop the shallot for a subtle onion flavor.
• Ginger — Grate the ginger to release its aromatic oils.
• Soy sauce — Use a high-quality soy sauce for the best flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit the shredded chicken topping.
• Customize the toppings based on your preferences. Add boiled eggs, fried tofu, or sautéed mushrooms for additional flavor and texture.
• To make the porridge even creamier, stir in a splash of coconut milk before serving.
• Leftover porridge can be refrigerated and reheated the next day. Add a little water or broth to adjust the consistency while reheating.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to create your own unique flavor profile.

Serving advice

Serve the Kayu hot in individual bowls. Encourage your guests to mix the toppings into the porridge for a burst of flavors in every spoonful.

Presentation advice

Garnish each bowl of Kayu with a sprinkle of crispy fried shallots and a few chopped scallions. The vibrant green of the scallions and the golden brown of the shallots will add visual appeal to the dish.