 Khao chae as served inBangkok, Thailand. | |
| Place of origin | CentralThailand (adapted from the originalMon recipe) |
|---|---|
| Similar dishes | Thingyan rice |
Khao chae (Thai:ข้าวแช่,pronounced[kʰâwt͡ɕʰɛ̂ː]) is "rice soaked in cool water". "Khao" means "rice" and "chae" means "to soak".[1] Around the time of King Rama II, the recipe was adapted from aMon dish and then modified. It was meant to be made and consumed in the hot season, from mid-March to the end of April. Ice was not then available in Thailand, so the water was kept cool during hot season by putting it in an earthenware vessel in a shaded place. Some old recipes call for the use of camphor to cool the dish.
TheMon people prepare this dish, known asThingyan rice inBurmese, during the Songkran (Thingyan) Festival as part of their Thai's New year. When khao chae was introduced to Thailand during the reign ofKing Rama II, it was considered "royal cuisine" and not available to the public. According to Thai celebrity chefMcDang, who grew up in a Bangkok palace, it's "the only Thai dish that can truly be considered 'royal Thai cuisine'."[2]
Some of the most famous neighborhoods in Bangkok where it can be found includeBanglampoo and Dinso road near theDemocracy Monument, includingBaan Varnakovida, both are inPhra Nakhon.[3][4]
Khao chae is not easy to prepare. Ordinary jasmine rice is too soft, so the firmerkhao taa haeng variety is used. It is first cooked in the normal way and then put in a colander and rinsed under running water several times to remove excess starch.
Next, a special ingredient: flower-scented water. A large pot is half-filled with water and a handful or two of fresh jasmine blossoms added. Then a small flower-scented candle is floated on top of the water, lit, and the pot covered loosely with the lid for 15 minutes. More blossoms and a candle with a different scent are then added and left for another 15 minutes—and then done for a third time. The scent from the candles and the natural oils from the jasmine should permeate the water.
Sprinkle the already cooked rice liberally with scented water, wrap it into a piece of cheesecloth, twisting the ends together to make a tight bundle to stop the rice from swelling. Tie a knot in the top. Steam over boiling water. To serve, transfer some of the rice into a bowl, cover with more of the fragrant water and add a few small ice cubes and some of the flowers.[5]
The side dishes eaten with khao chae are the real stars of the meal.[2] Recipes[6] vary but the essentials remain the same.
At a well-known Bangkok restaurant, the following side dishes are served when khao chae is ordered:[7]
