Refreshing Thai Rice Soaked in Jasmine Water

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) jasmine rice 2 cups (400g) jasmine rice
• 4 cups (950ml) water 4 cups (950ml) water
• 1 cup (240ml) jasmine-scented water 1 cup (240ml) jasmine-scented water
• 1/2 cup (120g) fried shrimp paste balls 1/2 cup (120g) fried shrimp paste balls
• 1/2 cup (120g) sweet shredded pork 1/2 cup (120g) sweet shredded pork
• 1/4 cup (60g) pickled vegetables 1/4 cup (60g) pickled vegetables
• 2 tablespoons crispy shallots 2 tablespoons crispy shallots
• Fresh mint leaves, for garnish Fresh mint leaves, for garnish
• Ice cubes, for serving Ice cubes, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 60g, 5g
• Protein: 10g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. 2.
   In a saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the rinsed rice and cook until tender.
3. 3.
   Drain the cooked rice and transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the jasmine-scented water over the rice and let it soak for 30 minutes.
4. 4.
   While the rice is soaking, prepare the side dishes. Fry the shrimp paste balls until golden brown. Cook the sweet shredded pork until caramelized. Drain and slice the pickled vegetables.
5. 5.
   Once the rice has soaked, drain any excess water and fluff it with a fork.
6. 6.
   Serve the jasmine rice in individual bowls. Arrange the fried shrimp paste balls, sweet shredded pork, pickled vegetables, and crispy shallots on top.
7. 7.
   Garnish with fresh mint leaves and serve with ice cubes on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Jasmine rice — Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch before cooking.
• Fried shrimp paste balls — Fry the shrimp paste balls in hot oil until they turn golden brown and crispy.
• Sweet shredded pork — Cook the pork until it caramelizes and becomes tender.
• Pickled vegetables — Drain the pickled vegetables well before slicing and serving.
• Crispy shallots — Make sure the shallots are thinly sliced and fried until crispy.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the flavor of the jasmine rice, add a pandan leaf to the cooking water.
• Customize the side dishes by adding other traditional options such as stuffed shallots or fried fish.
• For a vegetarian version, replace the shrimp paste balls and sweet shredded pork with tofu or tempeh.
• Adjust the amount of jasmine-scented water according to your preference for a stronger or milder jasmine flavor.
• Serve the dish chilled for a more refreshing experience.

Serving advice

Serve Khao chae in individual bowls, allowing each person to mix and match the side dishes according to their taste. Accompany the dish with a glass of iced jasmine tea for a complete Thai culinary experience.

Presentation advice

Present the dish by arranging the side dishes in an aesthetically pleasing manner on top of the jasmine rice. Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color. Serve the dish on a Thai-inspired platter or individual ceramic bowls for an authentic touch.