Khao Tom – Thai Rice Soup

Ingredients

6 cups pork or chicken stock
1 tablespoon minced fresh gingerroot
2 large shallots, minced and crushed
1 stalk lemon grass, cut into 2-inch pieces
3/4 cup rice
1/2 pound minced ground pork
2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce
For garnish: firm bean curd, cut into cubes, sliced scallion, deep-fried shallots and sprigs of fresh cilantro, to taste

Directions

In a large saucepan combine stock with gingerroot, shallots, lemon grass, rice and salt to taste.

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 simmer 5 minutes more.

Garnish with scallion, shallots and cilantro.